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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1998)
■•I ■ Willis says be plans to move off campus, and he cites ‘unfortunate circumstances’with the university as the reason. Br Dane SncKNEY Staff writer The Residence Hall Association will have to go on without its devil’s advocate. Larry Willis resigned as the speaker of the RHA senate Sunday. Willis, a* junior accounting major, said he is moving off cam pus because of -wifiift “unfortunate con ** flicts with the uni versity.” Though Willis would not elabo rate specifically on those conflicts, he was known for standing strong, some times amid conflict, to try to get things done. One of his first missions was get ting representation for his home, Husker Hall.Three years ago, he helped get Husker Hall into the asso ciation, and he has been Husker Hall’s representative for a year and a half. Because Husker Hall’s residents are mainly graduate students, Willis thought the university was depriving the hall of certain privileges. “My main goal for getting involved was to accomplish things for Husker Hall,” he said. “We lacked adequate computers, vending machines, desk operators and Ethernet connections. We should have the same standards that others enjoy” « After meeting his goals for 1 Husker Hall, Willis developed goals 1 for the entire organization. “My personal goal was to bring i RHA up to a standing where students ! would think of it as an equal to i ASUN,” he said. “I wanted RHA to be i more proactive and deal with diversi ty and equal rights. 1 “Unfortunately, the other mem- < bers weren't willing to go in that i direction, but that’s where they need- i edtogo.” ! Because of his constant efforts to change RHA’s outlook, Willis said he ; saw himself as the devil’s advocate of < the group. “Programs can be tried,” he said, “but without the support of the people backing you, it isn't going to get done.” After his first year in RHA, Willis decided to take a more active role. He lost the election for president to Ben Wallace, who won a second term. Willis later was elected to be the speaker for the senate for the 1998-99 school year. “I felt that I could have done more good as president, but the electors aian t agree witn me, Willis said. RHA member Jadd Stevens said Willis will be missed. “We will definitely miss his expe rience especially his expertise in par liamentary procedure,” said Stevens, a junior biology and English major. “1 see Larry as a giving person. He is always the first to speak up to help people.” Last year, Willis offered to match the amount of money raised for RHA’s Angel Tree project, which pro vided gifts to underprivileged chil dren. “He knew it would be a lot of money, but he believed in what he was doing,” Stevens said. “When Larry believes in what he is doing, he won’t back down,” he said. “That helps to define his charac er. He doesn’t care what others hint” Former RHA President Wallace, vho resigned along with Willis Sunday, said Willis' biggest obstacle vas overcoming his confrontational mage. “Larry is a real stick-tflfeis-guns ype of guy,” said Wallace, a senior communications major. “Sometimes tV hard for people to deal with that, rod consequently, people tend to have i negative view of him. “Although he tends to come off as i harsh person, he has a wonderful concern for others.” But Wilis said he has no regrets «--— Larry is a real stick-to-his-guns type of guy. Sometimes it’s hard for people to deal with that, and consequently, people tend to have a negative view of him.’’ Ben Wallace former RHA president about his sometimes strenuous RHA “I got them to question right and experiences. wrong and to evaluate themselves and “I may not have always been liked, their role in RHA. I just wish I could but I got diem to think,” he said. have done more with my time.” Wallace resigns as president ofRHA WALLACE from page 1 hardest things he has ever done and his friends have made the choice easier. ^ “My favorite memory is meeting everyone I’ve met,” he said. “They are some of my bek Mends and the epitome of what friendship should be.” Though Wallace said he loves RHA “to death,” it’s time for the organization to take a new direction, he said. He said he feels he^s guided it long enough and thinks it needs to change under new leadership. He said he feels he needs to move on in his personal life, as well, and resigning from RHA allows him to do that. The biggest new contribution he wants to make is as a residence hall student assistant next year. Shane Perkins, RHA vice presi dent, took over Wallace’s presiden tial duties at midnight Sunday. He said the organization loses a lot of experience with Wallace’s resigna tion, but knows he will continue to be - lit' important m lum. “We’re going to really miss Bra,” Perkins said. “He’s not dropping out, just changing his duties, and he’ll continue to be an important asset” Feridns said Wallace was a men tor this year for the rest of the execu tive boaid. Because the board was all new, Wallace helped members lean their duties, Perkins said. Denise Borton, RHA adviser, has worked with Wallace for the past four years and agrees he will be missed. She knows the organization will progress, however. “He’ll be sorely missed,” she said, “yet people will be able to move on knowing he’s set some precedents for RHA. For that we’ll always be thankful.” Borton said Wallace contributed several things to RHA, including a sense of unity and teamwork. He tried to establish a balance between producing a product and having processes run smoothly, she said. “Ben worked a lot on getting the fun back into die organization,” she said. Wallace agreed, as he feels he put the “person” back into RHA. 'Die most important tiling is the individ ual person, he said, and once the organization overlooks that, it has failed. “Everyone has a gift,” Wallace said. “We just have to find it RHA is about the students in the residence halls. They’re just as important as the exec board.” Wallace said his most important responsibility as president was being a source of motivation for the group. “I owe my exec board this year a lot,” he said, “and would have liked to motivate them more. In that sense, 1 didn’t live up to my own expecta tions.” - Wallace does not take full credit for his success, however. He said working as a team is what makes a leader successful “Nothing has been done because of just me,” he said. “It’s been all the wonderful people that have become my best friends.” ' r ' ' . ' - All the things you need to start talking today! Restrictions apply. See store for deeds. • Includes Voicemail, GllerlD, OH Waiting, And More • First Incoming Minute Fiee • Free Long Distance In Nebraska And Iowa Sprint PCS Center 5001 0 Street Experience the clear alternative to cellular today.®1 ^ Sprint Sprint PCS"