Emery Wainscott
Lifestyle Editor
[email protected]

Murray State’s Residential College Association held Racer Jam 2021 on Saturday, Aug. 28 on Springer Lawn in front of Hester College.

RCA President Chelsea Jones said almost 300 people attended the event throughout the day. The outdoor event was open for all residents, commuters, faculty and staff.

“In order to enhance the relationships between the leadership of our outstanding individual Residential College Councils, Racer Jam was organized this year by committees consisting of members across colleges,” Jones said. “These committees each took on a different role within the planning of the event – publicity, food, activities, T-shirts, clean up and set up – and we are so incredibly grateful for all of their work.”

RCA, a branch of the Student Government Association, handed out T-shirts to the first 100 attendees at Racer Jam and Murray State sophomore Clint Draper performed live music. The members of RCA had cornhole and volleyball games for attendees, and a 20-foot inflatable water slide and 70-foot inflatable obstacle course were available for use. A slime tank was provided by Residential College Leader Aaliyah Harrell and her family. Food was provided, including a vegan option and snow cones provided by Regents College.

Although this event was the first of its kind, Jones said RCA hopes this becomes an annual event for all the residential colleges.

“Planning for Racer Jam first began in the spring of 2020, prior to the pandemic, between the former RCA and SGA presidents,” Jones said. “Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 and the regulations in place in the fall of 2020, RCA, like many other organizations, cancelled our plans for large-scale events. We were excited to bring the idea to life for the first time this year.”

Jones said RCA strives to follow and enforce the University’s COVID-19 guidelines regarding activities and events. The University’s policy says face masks or coverings are not required outdoors for vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals should wear masks when around others.

In the fall, RCA organizes the Homecoming Lobby Decoration Contest in which residential colleges can compete. Jones said last year the theme was Halloween Movies and the 2019 theme was “Star Wars.”

Hanging of the Green is RCA’s winter program, which is a collaboration between the residential colleges and Murray State staff. During this program, each residential college hosts an event in the Curris Center that is welcome to staff and their family, as well as students.

“RCA is involved in supporting individual residential colleges in any way that we can, as well as building partnerships with other organizations on campus and providing opportunities for student leaders to learn more about various facets of the University,” Jones said.

Jones, who is a junior nursing major, began her involvement in RCA in the spring of 2020. She was selected as president through the SGA’s election process and officially given the title on Apr. 30 at the end-of-the-year banquet.

SGA Election Ways-And-Means Chair Konner Kirkwood said all prospective candidates must fill out an application to run for office. The applications can be found online as well as in the Center for Student Involvement Office on the first floor of the Curris Center.

The first step in the process is to screen the applicants and check that they meet the GPA requirement. Then an informational meeting is held to explain the details of the campaign and election process. This meeting is required for applicants, but a proxy can be appointed in their place. Elections are held over MyGate.

“Some positions have multiple representatives and senators, while others, like RCA president, are only held by one person during the term,” Kirkwood said. “After the positions are filled, any vacant positions are filled to the best of the executive board’s abilities. The RCA president is present at weekly Senate meetings in order to give reports about what is discussed and planned at RCA meetings. Furthermore, RCA and SGA presidents both attend the Presidents’ Dinner every week.”

As president, Jones said she is expected to participate as an executive member of SGA and be a liaison between SGA and the residential colleges, oversee RCA business, hold roundtable discussions for the RCC president and represent Murray State at the state, regional and national level.

Before being elected as president, Jones served many roles in the residential colleges. Jones lived in both Elizabeth Residential College and Hester before moving off campus. During her time at Elizabeth, she became a desk clerk.

“I then applied to be a Resident Advisor, receiving an offer from Hester that I excitedly accepted,” Jones said. “When I moved off campus, I wanted to continue to be involved, so I remained on RCA and became the Desk Supervisor of Richmond College. Although my class schedule does not allow for me to hold these positions anymore, I continue to work as a desk clerk in the residential colleges.”

Jones said during her time in Hester, there was an open position for National Communications Leader and Vice President of Leadership and Development on RCA’s executive board. Jones said she was interested, so she presented herself in front of the RCA’s general body and was voted onto the board.

“As our previous president was graduating in the spring, I knew it was time to step up and fill her shoes,” Jones said. “I have a great love for the residential side of campus and wanted to do everything I could to make it better for our students, so I decided to run for president! If you see a need, I always encourage you to fill it—especially if it’s in an area you care about!”

Jones said there are many ways to get involved in RCA and in the residential colleges. Involvement with RCA starts with an individual’s RCC. Each RCC has two RCA representatives who attend the RCA meetings. The representatives vote on behalf of their residential college communities and share their events and plans with other leaders.

“So attend your Residential College Council meetings, talk to your current RCC leadership and feel free to join us on Mondays at 5 p.m. in the Barkley Room of the Curris Center for our weekly RCA meetings,” Jones said. “They are open to everyone! We would welcome anyone to participate in Racer Jam and our other events throughout the year!”

Jones said the RCA is working on a Halloween program and will collaborate with other student organizations for programs throughout the semester.

The main upcoming event is Homecoming 2021, which is scheduled for Oct. 22-24. RCA will be planning its Homecoming Lobby Decoration Contest for residential colleges to participate in. The theme will be announced at a later date.