Eigenmann choice sound

After 30 years of independence and three attempts to merge, members of the Eigenmann Residents Association voted to join Residence Halls Association last week.\nThe move will unify residence hall government across campus and improve services to students at Eigenmann Hall and at the 10 other dorms.\nThe merger of RHA and ERA gives dorm government on campus a single, stronger voice.\nIn the past, voter turnout has not reached the required 20 percent to pass the referendum. Last Tuesday, Eigenmann residents took to the polls and finally met the requirement. The referendum passed 183-42. The referendum was passed by RHA residents last year.\nHistorically, Eigenmann has governed itself internally through ERA rather than become a member of RHA, which governs all other residence halls. It had maintained its independence in the past because the majority of its residents were graduate students and over 21 and therefore had some different issues and concerns than the other, primarily undergraduate dorms.\nBut in the last four years, the number of freshmen living in Eigenmann has increased dramatically, making it no different, in many ways, than any other residence hall on campus.\nCurrently, 70 to 80 percent of Eigenmann's students are undergraduates, said RPS Executive Director Pat Connor.\nRHA will begin taking over operation of ERA immediately. In the process, ERA will lose its guaranteed seats on the Campus and Housing Advisory Committee and the Meal Plan Committee, but will not lose any of its independence, said RHA President Ken Minami, a senior.\n"It's only going to give Eigenmann residents more voice, channeled through RHA, which is a very powerful organization," Minami said. \nAs a result of the move, Eigenmann's government will gain a vote in RHA and an opportunity to run for RHA offices, but it will lose some financial independence. Another result is that $1.65 for each student will be transferred from ERA's budget to RHA in order to pay for specific programs for residents.\n"I'm elated we finally put the issue to bed," said junior Brian Logue, senior vice president of ERA. "Eigenmann moved in a positive direction today."\nFor all on-campus residents, it was the right choice for a more productive and effective dorm student government.\n