A week of sun and events, including human bowling and Mario Kart, made up the 2nd annual Residence Hall Our Memorable Experience (rhOME) Week.
Haleigh Sims-Douglas, Residence Hall Association programming chair, said last year the event lasted only two days. This year, it ran a full week.
“(RhOME) is way to get people out of their rooms,” Sims-Douglas said. “(Points) offer something with a competitive edge.”
During rhOME Week, residence halls that participate in events are awarded points for each event they go to, and the hall with the most points gets a pizza party at their next hall council meeting, Sims-Douglas said.
Justin Jensen, LLC programming chair, said originally it was meant as a way to reintroduce RHA into the hub of campus, similar to Greek Week. The name, pronounced “Rome”, was completely intentional.
“It”s a parody,” Jensen said. “Because the Romans stole everything the Greeks did.”
Sims-Douglas said residence hall life is a way to get involved and meet people who will be friends for life, as well as have fun outside of class, and that”s the spirit they try to capture with rhOME Week. All four residence hall living groups plan their own events. Friday”s event, water balloon dodgeball, will be hosted by the Living Learning Communities.
“We focus on that genuine freshman experience,” Sims-Douglas said. “Res-halls are an amazing place to live.”
Sims-Douglas said she is excited to see rhOME grow to be a new tradition on campus. She said there used to be a “GDI” week for residence halls, but it was discontinued decades ago. Despite rhOME only being two years old, she said the attendance rates for the events have been good.
Students from Greek Life and off campus have participated in the events as well, and Sims-Douglas said she encourages as many people to come out as possible.
“Taking part makes such a big difference,” Sims-Douglas said.
The events continue until Saturday, Sims-Douglas said. Water balloon dodgeball will be held 4-6 p.m. Friday and a Spring Fling will be held 6-9 p.m. Saturday. The Spring Fling will include snow cones, paint twister and paint powder to toss at friends, as well as the announcement of the winner of the points contest.
“Come one come all,” Sims-Douglas said. “Everyone is welcome.”
Claire Whitley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cewhitley24