K-STATE SALINA TO BE HOST OF REGIONAL RESIDENCE HALL CONFERENCE February 3, 2004 SALINA – Kansas State University at Salina will be the host when more than 200 college students from seven states attend a regional residence hall conference in Salina, Feb. 6-8. The annual No Frills Conference is sponsored by the Midwest Association of College and University Residence Halls and provides a forum for student delegates to elect officers, choose future host institutions, decide on awards and conduct other business. “ We are very pleased with the registration numbers,” said Casey Knudson, senior in technology management from Augusta. “The average participation for this conference is usually between 150 and 170, and we’re up to 230.” A unique feature of the 2004 No Frills conference is a philanthropic competition between the delegations, Knudson said. The planning committee decided to work with the Ashby House in Salina, an organization to help homeless families. “ We made sure the delegations had a list of the types of items that the Ashby House needs,” Knudson said, “and a prize will go to the delegation that makes the most significant donation.” Colleges and universities from across the region will represented by delegates from institutions in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. Due to the size of the conference, all housing and meeting space will be located at Webster Conference Center. Knudson added that the support of the Salina community made the conference affordable to the delegate institutions. More than 30 area businesses help offset the operating costs, including large donations from Big Lots, Burger King, Culligan, Great Western Dining, McDonalds, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Tony’s Pizza, Western Sizzlin’ and Spangles. Ten K-State at Salina students coordinated the planning of the conference, along with residence life coordinator Delton Gordon. The planning committee was led by co-chairs Knudson and Tony Foster, junior in computer systems technology from Eskridge. Other members of the planning committee were Eric Runner, Colwich, sophomore in professional pilot; Sydney Panzer, Ellsworth, senior in computer systems technology and electronic engineering technology; Deanna Livengood, Goodland, freshman in electronic and computer engineering technology; Jason Braun, Hays, junior in applied business; Leah Hake, McPherson, freshman in computer systems technology; Peter Krievins, Olathe, junior in professional pilot; Kristina Downing, Ozawkie, freshman in professional pilot; and Clint Sharp, Wells, senior in computer systems technology. |