State residence hall conference is at WMU
March 2, 2004
KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University will serve as host for the annual Michigan Organization of Residence Hall Associations conference Friday through Sunday, March 12-14.
MORHA 2004 is expected to draw 200 delegates from 16 Michigan colleges and universities. Among the schools participating will be Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Ferris State, Grand Valley State and Michigan State universities.
The conference brings Residence Hall Association student leaders from around the state together to learn, network and recognize each other's achievements, says Ellen-Mary Koos, a WMU sophomore from Woodhaven, Mich., and one of the event organizers.
This year's theme is "Keepin' It REAL" and will focus on recognizing the efforts and achievements of leaders.
"We'll be tying a lot of real-life TV shows and residence hall concepts into the theme, including 'American Idol and leadership,' 'The Real World' and diversity, and 'Survivor' and teamwork," Koos says. "The idea is to erase the 'dorm' mindset in favor of a 'residence hall life' mindset. We want people to grow as a residential community."
Those attending MORHA 2004 will stay at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo and attend educational programs on campus as well as an association banquet that will recognize this academic year's top students and schools.
The conference, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, was last held at WMU in 1995. Koos says WMU students bid to serve as host in 2003-04 because the University would also be celebrating a milestone anniversary--its centennial.
MORHA was founded in 1979 and is part of the Great Lakes Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls. It is a student-run organization that focuses on improving the residence hall experience for students across Michigan and on facilitating communication and idea exchanges among member schools.
For more information, contact Ellen-Mary Koos at <morha2004@groupwise.wmich.edu> or visit the Web at <www.conference.morha.net>.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu