Missouri State Dining Services (MSDS) in conjunction with Chartwells is our new dining services provider.  They arrived on campus in May and they have been working long and hard to get everything ready for today’s first day.  You will see a new varied menu at the dining centers and some new faces mixed in with some familiar faces from last year. MSDS will be holding forums early this semester to see what kind of meal plans and food options we should be offering in the future.  Keep your eyes open, because we will want input from our current on-campus residents as well as commuters, faculty and staff to determine which way MSDS should head in the future.

The new year also brings new vendors over at the Union. Stop by the second floor of the Student Union and check out the new guys on the block! … Chic-fil-A Express, Smashers, Papa John’s and Subway.  We still have a taste or two from last year with Freshens and Wok and Roll still on the floor. Down on the first floor you can get your caffeine fix at Bear Beans, serving up hot Starbucks coffee. As it stand now, a real Starbucks store will be down there by the end of October.

Renovations … where to start?  Wow, were we busy over the summer, spending over $200,000 a day to upgrade and refresh a lot of buildings!  The list is too extensive to post here, so head over to http://reslife.missouristate.edu/fac/Renovations.htm and check things out!  We would encourage you to check out other buildings on-campus to see what’s new.  While you are looking around, start planning on where you want to live for the 2012-13 academic year. Current students get to select their rooms before the incoming students for Fall 2012….reapplication will be here before you know it!

Involvement:  It won’t be long until the call for people to join their building’s Hall Council and RHA will be the talk of the campus.  Make sure to get involved and lend a helping hand to some of the best organizations on-campus!

These are just some of the highlights for the first day of classes.  There will be lots of exciting opportunities and news to share as Fall 2011 keeps moving forward.  Keep checking back here from time to time or subscribe to our feed. You never know when something exciting will be happening in the residence halls!

The Resident Assistants (RAs) on each floor is always thinking up bright and creative ways of helping their resident have fun. Each Hall Council has people that are sitting around each week in meetings coming up with the next educational or social event for the residents of their building. The Residence Hall Assocaition or RHA is comprised of leaders from each residence hall. One of it’s main goals each semester is to make sure all of the residents are enjoying their stay on-campus and providing award winning programs and events for everyone. Todd Euglow talked to us earlier about RHA. Go back and review what he said earlier in the year….

This is just the opportunities in the residence halls! There are many more opportunities across the campus! The Student Activities Council or SAC is always bringing movies, comedians, speakers and much much more to campus. The Student Government Association or SGA is the official voice of all students at Missouri State and they are always looking for people to help out! If you enjoyed planning the Prom and other social events in high school, then SAC is for you. On the other hand, if you enjoyed Student Council in high school, then SGA is the group for you!

There are over 250 different organizations on-campus….there has to be something for you! If not, you can create your own group with yourself and a handful of other people!

You will enjoy being on campus….just don’t let me hear you say there is nothing to do around here!

To All Incoming Students,
I am pleased to be able to reach out to you as you take the next step in your educational career. On our campus we have over 300 organizations that encompass almost any interest and walks of life. As the current president of the Residence Hall Association (RHA), I would like to make you aware of several opportunities for you to make a difference and become involved as a student leader in the residence halls of Missouri State. This is especially vital if you are at all interested in being involved with hall government. Each residence hall consists of a hall council, which is the governing body for the building. Being involved with hall council puts you in the forefront for making changes and improvements that benefit the residents in your building. It is very easy to get involved with hall council. As you begin your move-in this August, signs and banners will be posted all over your building informing you of how you can join and begin making a difference. As each building has a governing body, there is a larger organization that enacts policies and changes for the entire on-campus population. This organization is the Residence Hall Association (RHA). As a member of this organization you will be actively involved in gaining leadership experience, planning and implementing campus-wide programs, and acting as the student voice for your building, all while making some new friends in the process. If you would like more information on what RHA does and the role that this organization plays on campus, please visit our website at www.rha.missouristate.edu. No matter what organization you choose, I encourage you to get involved. College is a time to make memories, why not make them with the people who share your same interests and desires. Good luck wit h your transition and I look forward to seeing some of you on move-in day.

Best wishes,
Todd Euglow
President
Residence Hall Association
Missouri State University