The Residence Hall Association is gearing up for elections that will determine who will be on the executive board next year.

The elections will take place at 5 p.m. today in Lawson Hall.

The candidates include Eddie Hillman for president, Amanda Krch and Nick Allen for vice president, Dawn Howe for secretary, and Mike Eckert for treasurer.

RHA has specific jobs for each of the executive board positions.

According to the RHA constitution, the president’s responsibilities include upholding the RHA constitutions, attending all regular and special meetings as well as conferences, is the official representative and spokesperson of RHA, and serves as chair of the president’s council.

The role of the vice president includes assuming the duties of the president in time of absence or disability, serving as ex-officio chairperson of all committees, keeping the constitutions and bylaws up to date, and appointing chairmen and members of all committee reports.

The treasurer’s responsibilities include keeping accurate files of RHA transactions, presenting budgets, and coordinating the fundraising efforts, according to the RHA constitution.

The secretary notifies all members of all regular and special meetings, keeps files and accurate records at all meetings, coordinates RHA retreats, is the primary operator on the RHA email account and updates the website, according to the RHA constitution.

Dawn Howe, a senior elementary education major, is running for the secretary position and said she was excited to see the turnout for next year’s executive board.

“I am very honored to be nominated for the position of RHA secretary for the 2012-2013 school year,” Howe said. “I think that this would be a great leadership opportunity for me.”

She said that the position would allow her to learn new aspects of what it takes to be a leader and meet other fantastic leaders that have the same ambition as her.

Nick Allen, a freshman business management major running for the position of vice president, said he is anxious for the election.

“I am really nervous for it because it will define the RHA experience for next year,” Allen said. “I think, no matter what happens next year, the foundation that the current executive board has built is great for next year.”

Andrew Lilek, a junior art major and current vice president of RHA, said he is excited to see what the new executives will bring to the RHA organization as a whole.

“I think that, no matter what our executive board for next year is, it will be great,” Lilek said. “Each has the potential to be able to fill the shoes of each of us leaving our positions next year.”

Elizabeth Grubart can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].