The Residence Hall Association voted 15-4 Monday night to end its contract supporting the Drake movie channel after this year.
President Sean Walsh went over the survey results returned from Hall executive councils.
Surveys revealed that 88 percent of Residence Hall executive council members knew how to access the Drake movie channel while 12 percent didn’t. Thirty-seven percent of the members never used the Drake movie channel, while the majority did.
The same contract supporting the movie channel has existed for the past 10 years and the contract renews every three years.
Vice-President of RHA Michael Porterfield is in charge of the movie channel and had one person contact him and express their appreciation for the movie channel.
“More programming on campus doesn’t mean there will be more attendance,” Porterfield said, addressing the idea that funding could be diverted to create more programs.“The movie channel provides an alternative for students who aren’t that outgoing or might want to stay in to relieve stress.”
The talk often came down to a question of over-programming on campus, and parallels were drawn to the Student Activities Board.
Several representatives thought SAB programmed enough for campus while others disagreed.
“SAB doesn’t bring good programs to campus, but we do for our residents,” National Residence Hall Honorary President Earl Lee said. “As an RA, having more money will let us think bigger on ideas.”
RHA treasurer Leah Torrison asked about the ongoing feasibility of the Drake movie channel.
“I’m a finance major and I see that our income is variable, it depends on how many people live in the halls,” Torrison said. “It’s a financial decision you have to make and as a business decision, it’s not practical.”
“People are saying ‘Yes we like it [the movie channel], it’s nice to have, but when we weigh the costs of this, it’s not really worth it’,” Campus Communications Coordinator Stephen Slade said. “We could be in the hole already if not for the donations of the Office of Residence Life.”
“If you’re allowed to dream bigger, see what you can come up with,” Slade said.
Eric Ferring, president of Morehouse Residence Hall, sought more money for better programming.
“We’re in this little bubble, we have $600 the entire year and we can only think within what $600 allows us,” Ferring said. “We can always reenter into a contract next year or the year after.”
“I hear a lot of people complaining that they don’t see where their money goes, but if programs were to be on a larger scale then I think people would be gratified with their payment,” President of Ross Residence Hall Marti Wolf said.
President of Crawford Residence Hall Nicole O’Connor spoke last in the debate.
“I guess it’s a question of risk versus reward. Do we take the risk and dream big? Do we look towards making more solid footing for next year’s RHA? Even if we do fall flat on our face, we can correct it next year,” O’Connor said. “RHA’s mission statement is ‘Making Halls into Homes’ and looking at the best part of my home, is it my TV or is it the time I spend with my family?” she asked
The board then voted to end its contract supporting the Drake Movie Channel.
