LATEST NEWS

Meet the University of Houston Residence Halls Association (UHRHA) Executive Board

Written by Tulin Nahheh

Name: Omar Castanon
RHA Position: President
Class Standing: Senior
Major(s): Strategic Communications
Hometown: Tomball, Texas
Residence Hall: The Lofts

Why did you seek out a leadership position with the RHA?

I understood the importance and impact working within housing could have as an incoming freshman student knowing that move in staff and other students made me feel at home despite being away from home for the first time. RHA provided me the platform to give back to other students to also allow them to feel at home and empowered through what we did.

How do you stay motivated during busy or stressful times on the board?

I stayed motivated when I saw our mission come into fruition, seeing other hall council members finding their path on campus, seeing our programs grow and more importantly going to conference and winning for our bids. This work showed me despite the stress our work was making an impact to those around us.

What has been your favorite memory since joining RHA?

My favorite memory since joining RHA has been “RHA Lunar New Year” this was the first time I had seen an event with students eager to participate in and being immersed in a new culture learning about the importance and seeing lion dancing and more.

Name: Mya Holman
RHA Position: Vice President of Programming
Class Standing: Sophomore
Major(s): Public Policy
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Residence Hall: The Quad

Why did you seek out a leadership position with the RHA?

I was the intern for the previous vice president of programming. I was able to work alongside her and create a deeper understanding of why events are created and the motivation behind them. I decided that I enjoyed working with RHA and I love all aspects of it. From mentoring hall councils, to creating a various range of events and enjoying time with my board. I love planning and I love seeing the aftermath of my events through the connections that students make.

How do you stay motivated during busy or stressful times on the board?

When I am overstimulated I think of the very first event I worked as an intern which was Pumpkinpoolza. During that event I saw these two girls talking, and they sat at the same table and did pumpkin painting and they went to the different stations around the ballroom together. After Pumpkinpoolza was RHA Homecoming Kickoff where I saw the same girls walk in together and enjoy the event together. When the next event came, I saw a third friend join the group. As we continued to the school year I decided to look for this group of friends, which ended up being a group of four that now attends RHA events regularly. Being able to see the connection that one event made makes me work even harder to create more events that can create more friendships.

What has been your favorite memory since joining RHA?

My favorite memory would probably be the first ever event that I planned which would be the Black History Month Cookout event. Being able to know that all my hard work paid off and that we had such a high turn out made me really happy. Being able to see first hand how people explored the event and going to see different organizations was very monumental for me. Simply because planning is not easy but the outcome was all worth the while.

Name: Tulin Nanneh
RHA Position: Public Relations Coordinator
Class Standing: Senior
Major(s): Health Science
Hometown: Clear Lake, Texas
Residence Hall: The Quad

Why did you seek out a leadership position with the RHA?

I believe I’m a strong leader, having taken on several leadership roles in the past where I performed well. My interest in an RHA leadership position came from my experience in hall council during my first year living on campus at Cougar Village I. I truly enjoyed being a leader within my residence hall and wanted to build on that experience by impacting students across the entire campus.

How do you stay motivated during busy or stressful times on the board?

I stay motivated by keeping my purpose as an executive board member in mind. I remind myself that everything I’m doing is for the residents here at UH. I also think back to how excited I was for the events and activities during my first year, and that helps me remember how new residents are likely feeling the same excitement now.

What has been your favorite memory since joining RHA?

My favorite memory since joining RHA has definitely been Weeks of Welcome. I had the chance to meet a lot of new students and make meaningful connections. It was great being able to introduce them to RHA, promote hall council, and share in the excitement. The energy at those events was amazing, and it made the start of the year a truly memorable experience. 

Name: Lauren Willard
RHA Position: National Communications Coordinator (NCC)
Class Standing: Sophomore
Major(s): Psychology
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Residence Hall: Cougar Place

Why did you seek out a leadership position with the RHA?

I was NCC intern last year and I really fell in love with both the organization and the board and knew I wanted to continue my involvement with RHA. The moment I knew I wanted to continue on to be NCC was at our first conference because it was truly so rewarding, and it felt good to be recognized for the hard work that we put in all year!

How do you stay motivated during busy or stressful times on the board?

When things get busy on RHA, as they most often do, I like to remember why I joined RHA and the genuine impact we have on UH students. Seeing people come to our events and build connections amongst themselves and with us is the best feeling and it will always push me to remember why we’re doing this!

What has been your favorite memory since joining RHA?

My favorite memory since joining RHA was recently at our Fall 2024 Mega Bingo. It was a culmination of all of our hard work and I got a lot of time to interact with residents and got to spread awareness about RHA and hall councils. It was an amazing turnout and everyone who came had a great time.

Name: Aaron Kisitu
RHA Position: NRHH president
Class Standing: Junior
Major(s): Computer Science
Hometown: Richmond, Texas
Residence Hall: Cougar Place

Why did you seek out a leadership position with the RHA?:

I was interested in finding a way to give back to my community through a leadership position, RHA allowed me to do that through a helping make life easier for residents on campus. I think that having a position where you help other people is super important because at some point all of us were helped by others. I was a member of hall council my freshman year and had positive experiences with the RHA board.

How do you stay motivated during busy or stressful times on the board?

I have trouble sleeping, especially when i start to get stressed so I like to go on walks at night and try to find cats around campus. The board is also super supportive, so I feel like there’s always a way to rely on other people.

What has been your favorite memory since joining RHA?

Honestly going into RHA i kinda expected to just be coworkers and have a basic work relationship with the rest of the board but everybody turned out to be pretty cool so my favorite memory is really just us hanging out. I feel like we interact pretty frequently outside of board stuff and I am glad that I got a lot closer with the other members than i thought

Chelsey Chukwuma named Program Coordinator for Residential Engagement and Student Services

Chelsey Chukwuma

In this role, Chukwuma is responsible for the planning and implementation of events to engage residents and members of SHRL’s Living-Learning Communities (LLCs). They also work with the Faculty-in-Residence and SHRL professional and student staff members to carry out the Residential Engagement Model as well as First- and Second-year Experience initiatives.

“Working with SHRL is a great chance to really make a difference in students' lives by helping them thrive in a supportive environment,” Chukwuma said. “The job involves working with a diverse group of students in a lively city, which keeps things interesting.”

Chukwuma holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Universidad de Alcalá in Madrid, Spain, and a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University where she was an orientation leader and senior resident assistant. Prior to joining the department Chukwuma taught English Language classes in Spain.

Please join us in welcoming Chelsey Chukwuma to UH SHRL!

SHRL Announces New Faculty-In-Residence for the Quad

Edward Scott Jr., Ph.D.

Edward Scott Jr., Ph.D., was recently announced as the Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) for the Quad. Scott is an assistant professor of Social Work and an affiliate faculty in the department of African American studies at the University of Houston.

Scott has a history in residential life first serving as a resident advisor as an undergraduate at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Later, at the University of Pennsylvania, he served as graduate assistant for Stouffer College House often working with their FIR program.

Scott holds a doctorate in educational psychology applied developmental science, a Master of Arts in management, a Master of Social Work in clinical social work, and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Edward Scott Jr., to our department and be sure to say, "Hi!" if you see him out and about on campus.

Community Improvement Projects Completed and In-progress

Mackenzie Wysong-Bentley

Bayou Oaks

The first project to be fully completed is Bayou Oaks. Over the summer updates were made to all public areas within the main residential building resulting in fresh paint, flooring, finished cabinets and updates to the gym area. Additionally, cameras were installed in all residential laundry facilities which addresses security concerns brought by residents.

Cougar Village I

The goal of the Cougar Village I (CV1) refresh is “to bring the physical surroundings up to date”. One of the ways SHRL plans to do this is by adding colorful accents to make the residence hall bright, lively and inviting for students. One of the highlights of this project is that students were able provide information about what would be useful for them when it comes to the new updates in the common areas. There are plans for new furniture, flooring and freshly painted walls for all the common study and lounge areas on each floor. SHRL also plans to enclose the hallway student lounges. Additionally, the mailbox area in CV1 will be remodeled and another space on the first floor will become the UH Residence Halls Association (RHA) executive board office and programming space. The planning for the new updates began in December 2023 and the project is planned start at the beginning of the spring 2025 semester.

Moody Towers

Moody Towers residents should notice an improvement in elevator service following the completion of repairs over the summer. Additionally, amenities within the halls are set to be updated as well. One example is an update to the communal bathrooms on the residential floors. During the remodel new stainless-steel showers and toilet stalls will be installed as well as replacement tiles on the floor. The Moody Tower renovations are set to begin over winter break.

University Lofts

The University Lofts refresh and renovation is a huge project that will be worked on in the upcoming months. With this project all common spaces will be refreshed with new paint, carpet and furniture for the comfort of the residents. Also, updates to the laundry rooms will have new furniture put in as well as cameras so that residents can read or simply have a space to relax while waiting for their laundry. Additionally, there are plans to refresh the Sky Lounge adding new furniture to make the space more appealing for students. Renovations for University Lofts are planned start in early November.

Residents can learn more about these planned community improvements by visiting the SHRL website https://www.uh.edu/housing/improvements.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & RESOURCES

Campus Resource Listing

Helpful resources for UH students.

Campus Dining

832-842-9053

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

713-743-5454

Cougar Cupboard

uhcupbrd@central. uh.edu

FIXIT

713-743-4948

Learning Advancements for UNdergraduate Cougars of Houston (LAUNCH)

713-743-5411

Parking & Transportation

832-842-1097

Student Health Center

713-743-5151

Student Housing & Residential Life

713-743-6000

University of Houston Police Department

713-743-3333

Laundry Tips for College Students

Written by Lyric Jelani 

Doing laundry in college can seem like a daunting task, especially if it's your first time handling it on your own. However, with a few simple tips, you can make the process smooth and stress-free. From sorting your clothes to knowing how much detergent to use, mastering laundry basics will save you time and effort. With these helpful guidelines, you can keep your clothes looking fresh without the hassle.

1. Establish a Laundry Routine

Washing clothes doesn't have to be a monumental task. If you add laundry to your weekly to-do list, it'll be much easier to keep the chore manageable. Try to do your washing during non-peak hours (weekday afternoons, early in the morning or late at night) so you can get in and out quicker. You can also plan to study while you wait and then have more time to do fun stuff later.

2. Get Your Supplies Ready

You’ll need a basket or some sort of bag to transport your laundry in. Also, find a detergent that works for your needs (allergies and sensitivities, cleaning power, eco friendliness, fabric care, etc.). You can also grab dryer sheets, bleach, fabric softener or scent boosters to keep your clothes smelling fresh.

3. Pretreat Stains

If you have any stains on your clothes, it’s important to treat them with a laundry stain remover before they set in or go into the washer. Always check the stain before you dry the item. If you dry the clothes before the stains are completely gone, it gets a lot harder to get them out.

4. Empty Pockets and Close Zippers

Before you wash anything, close all the zippers, snaps, Velcro, etc. This will help prevent any snags or tears in the washing machine. It’s also important to check your pockets and make sure they’re empty.

5. Sort Items Accordingly

Separate darks, whites and lights from each other and separate delicate fabrics from more durable garments. Use cold water, especially for dark clothes, to avoid shrinking, fading and bleeding of dyes. Using cold water saves energy and resources too. For whites, and heavily soiled clothes, however, warm or hot water is better.

6. Set a Timer and Be Respectful

Make sure to set a timer when washing your clothes. There is a limited number of machines in each residential hall and leaving clothes in a washer or dryer for 10-plus minutes is inconsiderate to other students who are trying to wash clothes as well. Setting a timer will ensure you don't lose track of time. Also, do not touch other students' clothes or leave any of your belongings lying around in the laundry room.

7. Invest in an Iron or Steamer

Hanging clothes right after they get out the dryer is one of the best ways to prevent wrinkles, however, sometimes clothes still get wrinkled in the washing and drying process. Keeping an iron or steamer on hand can remove any creases your clothes may have.

Bonus Tips from James Aguanno, program manager for SHRL Facilities:

8. Trouble with a Machine

The sticker on the front of the machines contains a machine number and instructions on how to submit a request. Be sure to mention the machine number when reporting a problem. Do not contact FIXIT for laundry issues! UH Facilities does not maintain our laundry machines.

9. Leave Washing Machines Slightly Opened and Check the Lint Trap in Dryers

After you finish washing your clothes, leave the washing machine door slightly open to encourage air flow. This will help prevent musty odors. Also, be sure to check and empty the lint trap every single time before you use the dryer. Your clothes will dry better and faster, and there won’t be any leftover lint on your clothes.

10. Do not Overload the Machine

When you’re loading the machines, don’t stuff them full. The clothes need space to roll around to wash and dry properly. Also, overloaded washing machines may go out of balance and cause them to shut down.

11. Use Detergent Pods

If possible, use detergent pods! Pods are easy to use, just follow the product directions and toss them in with your laundry. They are loaded with just the right amount of soap which will help prevent damage to both your clothing and the machines. If you choose to not use pods, measure carefully and make sure your product contains the “he” label. This indicates the detergent is safe for use in high efficiency machines.

Priority Room Selection Begins Next Month

Mark your calendars! Priority Room Selection (PRS) for the 2025-2026 academic year will begin Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. PRS gives current residents several options in choosing their room for the next academic year. The options will be rolled out in three phases:

Select your Same Room
Current residents may complete an agreement and select their same room for the 2024-2025 academic year. Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II and Moody Towers (South) may not be selected.

Select a Different Room in the Same Building
Current residents may complete an agreement and select a different room in the same residence hall. Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II and Moody Towers (South) may not be selected.

Select a New Room in a Different Building
Current residents may complete an agreement and select a different hall and room anywhere on campus. Cougar Village I, Cougar Village II and Moody Towers (South) may not be selected.

Stay tuned for more information on this years PRS process.