Over the weeks prior to the membership application deadline, flyers posted, invitations were sent out, and nominations were received in order to make sure that the best of the best in the UW residence hall applied for our NRHH chapter. Finally, the applications were received and the great Membership Selection Committee read over every single one in preparation for the long deliberation session that awaited them.

Saturday morning at eight o’clock A.M., a group of seven current NRHH members and the NRHH advisor started their deliberation that would end over 6 hours later. In the end, the selection process was a great success and we were able to add 14 new members to our NRHH family.

The selection process was very intense and selective. The committee started out by talking about what our NRHH stood for, what qualities we wanted in members, and why they deserved to be in the group of the top 1% of leaders on campus. Every member of the committee had been prepared to argue in favor of the members they thought deserved to be a part of our organization. In-depth conversations and debate flowed through the conference room as the committee chose who would be getting an acceptance letter or a “please re-apply next time” letter.

The process is a very fulfilling experience, but must not be taken lightly. The chair of the selection committee was careful to remove all of the names of the applicants from their applications so as to remove any bias with the committee members. If for some reason a committee member could recognize whose application they were reading due to the obvious leadership positions they held, the committee members were very great at keeping an unbiased opinion of the applicant, even abstaining if they found they could not make an unbiased decision. This showed how professional and fair the selection committee was dedicated to being.

The whole meeting is also kept hush-hush between the committee members in the room, never leaving that room. Once the committee finishes the selection process, no one is to speak of anything that was talked about during the selection. Every person that was involved in the selection committee did exactly as they were told and has been very professional about not speaking of any of the applications or discussions that took place during those long 6 hours.

The Membership Selection Committee often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, but I would like to use this nomination to thank them for all of their hard work. Without them and their professionalism, our NRHH chapter here at the University of Washington would not be as strong as it is. Because of their efforts to create and keep a prominent, leading NRHH, the Membership Selection Committee of the Kristen Harrell Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary at the University of Washington should be recognized with an OTM.

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