Hall charities heading in new direction - focusing on charity over competition
By Hannah Gray
In years past, the dorm that had the coolest t-shirt or item typically raised the most money and got the glory.
Now, Residence Life is looking at a new direction for the hall charities - one that deemphasizes competition and focuses more on charity.
"All the halls will do the same programs, but we're repackaging with the focus on education and collaboration," said Jon Merchant, Residence Life assistant director.
In past years, residents of each hall chose one specific charity their fundraising would benefit.
This year, they have the option of giving the money to the Holy Cross Mission Center as a whole, rather than specific charities within the organization, according to Merchant.
According to its Web site, the Holy Cross Mission Center has missions in Brazil, Chile, Ghana, Haiti, India, Kenya, Mali, Mexico, Peru, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Uganda
Last year, residence halls charities struggled with raising sufficient funds for their selected charities' projects.
"No particular charity was given enough money to do what they needed to do," Merchant said.
This year, the Holy Cross Mission Center will decide where the greatest need is and will divide the money based on those needs, according to Merchant, unless dorms opt to donate directly to a specific mission.
In past years, Merchant said, many students were unaware of how the money they raised was spent.
But this year, there's a new emphasis on education, as well as collaboration among students and the resident halls.
The education aspect will be promoted through the social justice coordinators, with one in each hall.
They will inform students what the charities are and how the money is spent, according to Merchant.
"Hopefully, through the partnership with other parts of the University, students will have a greater understanding of where the money goes," said Teige Weidner, the Shipstad assistant hall director and the Campus Ministry program assistant.
Unifying the campus is another goal.
"From what I understand the whole idea of RHA (Residence Hall Association) and Residence Life is to build community," said junior Kristina Large, the RHA president.
Each hall will keep its traditional charity event: Villa Maria will have The Man Auction, Corrado will have Mr. Corrado and Kenna will have Karting for Kenya.
"There will always be a certain dorm pride," said sophomore Sarah Klemsz, the vice president of Shipstad hall council. "Competitiveness will always be there with dorm pride."
However, dorms are also looking at ways to work together.
The Mr. Corrado contestants might deliver Mehling's Valentine grams or Corrado might expand its once-a-month cupcake sale in a campus-wide coffee house.
Also, Corrado is going to hold a BBQ in the west side quad with Mehling and Villa Maria, according to junior Wyatt Olson, Corrado Hall president.
Additionally, Schoenfeldt is looking at doing a "guys night in" or a dance outside, both of which would be open to the entire campus, according to Mathew Hill, the Schoenfeldt secretary.
Kenna did a cigar night, a PB & J night, as well as, a black light dance for charity.
Kenna and Shipstad are also looking at a paintball game with a hay maze, according to sophomore Charles Steele, the Kenna president.
Small-scale fundraising has already started.
Shipstad sells Voodoo Doughnuts every Thursday night at 10 p.m.
"Lots of little things that can add up over time," Large said.
Another thing the halls are considering is a campus-wide concert in the spring, where they would invite local bands to play, according to Steele.
All the dorms are looking at doing a campus-wide penny war, according to Klemsz.
With all of this considered, halls are still in the planning process and all the ideas are relatively tentative, according to Steele.
"It's still in the works," Large said.
The idea of collaboration helps take the pressure off raising enough funds for a certain charity.
"If you fall short, you're with a team," Klemsz said.
"There is less pressure on hall council - they can focus on the fundraising and social aspect," Large said.
"Last year we were constantly stressed on how to earn money for each charity," she said.
Hall council members are excited about the change.
"Most charity is done in collaboration and not isolation," Merchant said.
"We want people to do effective and good social programs that will bring people together," he said.
