Residence Halls leader moving out
Residence Halls Association President Mark Dobson, right, and RHA Vice President Kevin Fleury, middle, listen to Doug Estry, associate provost for undergraduate education during an RHA General Assembly meeting Wednesday in the Union. Dobson is set to graduate this spring after almost three years as RHA’s president.
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When MSU Residence Halls Association began nominations for next year’s president on Feb. 11, a nomination for current president Mark Dobson caused a roar of laughter from the assembly and an ear-to-ear grin from Dobson. After almost three years as RHA president, it seemed as though the Spanish and political theory and constitutional democracy senior would never leave the organization. But since Dobson, a Trenton, Mich., native is set to graduate this May, RHA will have a new president for the first time since November 2006.
“There are times when I’m like, ‘Boy, I’ll be glad when it’s over,’” Dobson said. “And there are times when I’m like, ‘I’m really going to miss this.’ It’s bittersweet.”
RHA’s presidential election is tonight, but the president elect won’t take office until April 8. There are three candidates for president: RHA Vice President Kevin Fleury, Communications Coordinator Emma Perot and Director of RHA TV Scott Bishop.
“All of the candidates are looking at the void (Dobson) will leave,” Fleury said. “Having a meeting without mentioning Mark is going to be impossible.”
Dobson first joined RHA in 2005 during his sophomore year as a representative for Wilson Hall.
Photo: Residence Halls ...
When elections were held in spring 2006, Dobson decided to run for vice president, but didn’t have high hopes.
“Everyone still wonders how I pulled it off,” he said. “I was really inexperienced and what people feared the most is if I had to take over as president.”
Possibility became reality when Dobson was bumped up to president in November 2006. His predecessor, Lindsay Palinsky, stepped down because of personal reasons.
Dobson credited his ability to get through his first term to his fellow officers, who helped him deal with the workload.
“The one thing with this job, in all my years, you surround yourself with really great people,” he said. “We always joke that a lot of people work hard but I get to take all the credit.”
Dobson said since he took over, RHA has gained strength as a voice for students.
“What I’m most proud to have been a part of is the way that we’re able to represent the students living in the residence halls,” he said.
Paul Goldblatt, MSU director of Residence Life and adviser to RHA for the past five years, said Dobson has helped RHA to expand its role in the eyes of the university.
“RHA has been a member of many decisions MSU has made, and I don’t think (RHA) would have been included without him,” Goldblatt said. “He’s made MSU better for students.”
The ability to not take a stance on an issue can be hard for most college students, but Dobson said he finds it vital for his position.
“A lot of student leaders see an issue and want to raise that issue and get upset about it,” he said. “What I prefer to do is really get the backstory. Let’s get a consistent answer across the university. Let’s see what the long-term solutions are.”
Dobson’s problem solving has been noted and appreciated by administration.
“He has questioned administrative policy but done it in an appropriate matter,” Goldblatt said.
Dobson’s devotion to RHA earned statewide recognition when he was named President of the Year by the Michigan Organization of Residence Hall Associations, or MORHA, on Feb. 14.
“I jokingly called it my lifetime achievement award,” he said. “For MORHA to recognize me, it was really flattering and I’m real honored by it.”
While the end of his term marks the end of an era, Dobson said he is confident RHA will continue strong long after he’s gone.
“The names and the faces change, but a lot of it stays the same,” he said. “It’s going to be a good transition, no matter who is elected.”
Commentary
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Brian
(02/25/09 1:03am)Report
Mark, you will be missed. THanks for your years of service.
student
(02/25/09 1:36am)Report
The only good thing about RHA is RHA TV. I think that in these difficult economic times, RHA should cancel all activities except RHA TV.
If you look at it, within MSU there is the ASMSU, UAB, RHA, plus hundreads of student organizations. And, there is no doubt that their activities probably overlap many times. I know ASMSU is more administrative but still… Each of these big organizations on campus should focus on their specialty, like RHA TV for RHA and movies and concerts for UAB.
All the student organizations on campus are paid by the students so I recommend cutting budgets, cutting services, and just providing their most acclaimed service. Let the rest of the organizations provide the academic setting outside the classroom.
bogus
(02/25/09 4:01am)Report
Apparently ‘student’ is very unaware and uninformed about the things RHA does for the on-campus student population, so please do not try and talk about RHA like you have. RHA TV is not the only “good” thing about RHA, but the funny thing is I’m sure you’ve benefited from one of RHA’s other services. For example, Campus Center Cinemas, which is partnered with UAB. Or the movies offices in each complex where you can rent movies for free if you live there. Or the cold and flu packs or condom connection. And these are only some of the services. Not to mention RHA gives a student voice with Residence Life, University Housing and with prominent people on campus, like President Simon, as well as communicating and working with other colleges around the state, region and country.
And also, besides the Welcome Week concert and Sparty Spring Party (which RHA partners with UAB for), when does UAB have concerts? They hold other events on campus and bring live entertainment like comedians.
Please do not bash any student organization or student leader here on campus, especially one that represents such a large portion of the student body.
'06 Alumni
(02/25/09 8:34am)Report
It truly is a rare talent that can accomplish the things that Dobson has been able to do through his work with RHA. He’s an outstanding leader and an even better person. If you see him between now and May, my advice would be to thank him for what he’s done and find out why there are so many that think so highly of him. – VM
msucutie
(02/25/09 1:14pm)Report
I personally think Dobson is super cute…and super successful (obviously)…is he single?
student
(02/25/09 3:26pm)Report
“bogus”, I knew someone would react like you did. I didn’t say that organizations like RHA are useless, I just explained that in these difficult economic times they should minimize services to save costs and specialize in the most popular ones. Also, I mentioned that some of these programs and activities by RHA, UAB, and ASMSU overlap each other. Evidently, I am true about this because you confirmed it when you mentioned the different “partnerships” RHA has with UAB.
I just don’t see why the academic programs have tu suffer from cuts but the student organizations don’t. I know its entertainment, its freedom of speech, its attractive for the students… but nothing is more attractive to me than my major.
Also, its nice to see how students react when someone wants their organization to cut services to save money. “Bogus”, you reacted just exactly as members of the administration of the U react when they are asked to cut costs.
Finally, again, I don’t want to “bash any student organization or student leader on campus,” but as a student I think that if the University is cutting academic services to save money, then the student organizations should be demanded to do the same.
Its not “bashing,” its ACCOUNTABILITY.
reader
(02/25/09 4:25pm)Report
I agree with student – here we are facing another set of tuition hikes, yet money is wasted on activities and organizations that most students don’t even know exist and don’t care about.
Too bad, but true.
Joanne from NH
(02/25/09 4:52pm)Report
Mark is obviously talented, level headed and has a great future ahead. All the best to him and his family
anonymous
(02/25/09 5:17pm)Report
@Student: RHA is paid for entirely by on-campus student tax dollars. It is not in any way funded by the university. It’s alright that you’re wrong, you are simply not informed on these matters because you’re only now taking interest in the matter. If you don’t like the tax, vote it down. If you doesn’t get voted down, request a refund on the tax at the beginning of the semester. If you don’t do either of those things, stop whining.
anonymous was taken
(02/25/09 10:35pm)Report
How will RHA ever survive without the temper tantrums and “I’m always right” attitude!? Dun! Dun! Dunnn!
Van Wilder
(02/26/09 7:48pm)Report
Bogus – if you don’t like the student voted fees, vote against them and request a refund, like Anonymous says. I got the $6 back for State News subscription (a long time ago) by saying I needed NY Times and RHA helped me get it. Mark Dobson has done a lot to help U, every interest group needs a lobbyist and many people have multiple interests, for example: bleeding Green and White.
A. Fan
(02/27/09 10:45am)Report
Congratulations Mark on a very successful era as president.Those that know you and those that know you well, know that you put in a lot of time and hard heart felt work. Always looking and listening to make things better. Even looking at these remarks, people are thinking and speaking out…meaning you still got them “talking” and interested. This is good. But it is a lot easier to write a comment or criticize some one for DOING a job then actually getting involved yourself. So I say to those with good or bad ideas, don’t be a coward with anonymous comments GET informed and involved, that’s what really matters and is all about. Perhaps Mark’s excitement was perceived as “temper tantrums” to get things done and done right, or confused with passion Mark had on a certain issue. He is a persistent fellow. Thank you too, to Chris Vannini. The article was very well done and appreciated by those that know the Mark Dobson that puts his heart and hard work into what ever he tries to do. Michigan State is a great place to be, and I think Mark has unselfishly tried to make it a better place for everyone. Best wishes to next year’s new president and all those in RHA who make MSU the great school it is.
(P.S. “dun” is spelled done.) Go Green!!
mo
(03/02/09 2:21pm)Report
Mark you have done an amazing job. It has been great knowing you through MORHA.