Society & Culture

UGA Residence Hall Association planning for historic election

UGA Residence Hall Association planning for historic election

Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Residence Hall Association and Department of University Housing will sponsor “Housing Rocks the Vote,” a two-part program aimed at involving the UGA community in this year’s presidential election.

The initiative will include two programs, which all members of the UGA community are invited to attend. There will be a Candidates and Issues exhibition on Oct. 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the Tate Student Center Plaza. Several student organizations, including College Republicans and Young Democrats, are slated to attend in an effort to answer questions and further inform students about the issues surrounding this year’s campaign. Free “Housing Rocks the Vote” t-shirts will be given out to the first 1,000 participants.

On Nov. 4, RHA will hold an Election Night Extravaganza on Myers Quad from 8 p.m. until midnight. Live election results will be projected onto a 35-foot screen and food and drinks will be provided.

According to RHA President Whitley Heyward, this year’s election will be historic, no matter the outcome. “No matter the winner, we will witness history on Nov. 4,” Heyward said. “It will be the first time either a woman or an African American will be elected on a presidential ticket and we want to gather together as a university community to celebrate that accomplishment.”

University Housing Executive Director Gerard Kowalski agrees, noting that for many students, this election marks the first time they have participated in the democratic process. “I am impressed with RHA’s enthusiasm to promote their peer’s participation in a historic election where many of our students will be voting for their first president,” Kowalski said. “I anticipate top-notch activities that will demonstrate democracy at its best.”

For more information on “Housing Rocks the Vote,” contact RHA Treasurer Ryan Hill at 678/492-4707 or via e-mail at rha@uga.edu.

The Residence Hall Association is the second largest student organization at UGA and is the coordinating organization for the various residence hall governing bodies across campus.