Amanda Thompson is a bit of an oddity in the Residence Hall Association (RHA).

Thompson, a White Hall native and middle level education major, is entering her third year on the RHA executive board. Her involvement in the RHA does not play a direct part in helping her résumé, but has proved to be “invaluable in teaching me leadership skills.”

The RHA is a student-led leadership organization that makes many decisions affecting those in residence halls while helping to aid in efforts to make the campus more appealing and fun for Arkansas Tech University students.

It is comprised of one to four representatives from each residence hall’s student government and an executive board.

The main focuses of the RHA’s dealings involve public safety and food services but also can include a number of other concerns.

The RHA holds weekly meetings Mondays at 4 p.m. in the Doc Bryan Lecture Hall in which Tech students can come and have their voice heard.

These student suggestions are then taken back to the appropriate offices once a month. The RHA is the organization that serves as the main liaison between the students and the administration.

“What makes the RHA so unique compared to other organizations on campus is that you don’t have to be elected to the executive board or even elected at all to participate. If you live on campus, you are a member of the RHA,” said Thompson.

A driving force behind the RHA is that it is committed to helping Tech become more fun for its students. It is among many organizations that collaborate together for Wonder Week.

The main event that the RHA did plan was the black light casino night in Young Ballroom. The RHA also hosts Tech Idol, a singing competition mimicking the popular American Idol, The Price is Right, mimicking the popular game show of the same name, the Battle of the Halls and the Crazy Hall Crawl, both of which are campus wide competitions, and Get Leid with RHA, a Hawaiian-themed party for all Tech students.

“My favorite thing about RHA is all the fun we get to have and how much fun you get to bring to Tech students,” said Thompson.

Thompson’s official titles are vice president and national communications coordinator of the RHA.

As vice president, Thompson takes of the duties of president if the president falls ill or steps down for any reason.

Serving ss the national communications coordinator means she is the main voice of Tech at the regional conferences the RHA attends. She manages relations between schools from Texas, Arkansas,Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and even Hong Kong while attending these conferences. Her input affects resolutions passed by RHAs across the country.

If you want to contact the RHA about concerns, suggestions, or even involvement its office is in Wilson 237, its phone is 479-356-2061, and its email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .