Get Involved
Community Development
The staff of Residence Life believe that community development is an essential part of a college student’s learning and contributes to the academic mission of the university. Realizing that different times of the semester bring different challenges for each person, staff members are asked to work closely with students living in their wings, floors, and residence halls in addressing these needs. Staff use the following residential goals to aid in building a community that will benefit residents.
Residential Goals for Residence Hall Students
Most importantly, the students themselves are encouraged to become involved with the hall and their wing/floor by offering ideas and suggestions or working directly with hall staff or their hall involvement team.
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HALL INVOLVEMENT TEAM
There are many opportunities to join organizations on campus as well as in the residence halls. One opportunity is volunteering with your hall’s involvement team. As a member of the team, you’ll plan events and programming for your hall, and provide input to the Residence Hall Association.
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RESIDENCE HALL ASSOCIATION (RHA)
The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is the student governance group that has primary responsibility for the review and recommendation of policies concerning student life, services, and interests in the residence halls. They are responsible for promoting an interest and understanding among residents regarding their campus environment and serve as a general forum for improving residence hall life. Your opinion counts and matters.
RHA has three standing committees that discuss relevant topics for residence hall students:
- Issues and Concerns: This committee investigates and addresses the concerns of students living in the residence halls. In past years, this has included such things as parking, incense policy, overnight guest regulations, cable TV, lighting on campus, computers in residence halls, ice machines, in-room refrigerators, loft policy, and concealed weapon legislation. They are also responsible for recommending items to either purchase or provide as a system-wide project. These items have included toasters for all microwave rooms, renovation of volleyball courts, sound system to check-out, etc. This committee also works with the recycling and energy conservation efforts on campus. They are responsible for developing new ideas to promote these efforts and providing ongoing education within the residence hall community and throughout campus
- Communications and Development: This committee is responsible for promoting and publicizing programs and activities of RHA. This involves updating the RHA web page, publishing an RHA newsletter, and assisting with preparation for state, regional, and national conferences.
- Special Events: This committee is involved with planning larger RHA events. These include the Thanksgiving Charity Drive (a penny wars type of fundraising activity that involves all residence hall wings), Campus Blood Drives (sponsored in conjunction with the Red Cross), Residence Hall Awards Program (the end-of-year program that recognizes outstanding leaders and their contributions), and others.
RHA also represents residence hall students across campus on the following committees:
- Parking Committee: This committee provides students with a voice in the venue of campus parking.
- Student Technology Advisory Committee (STAC): These volunteers work closely with the Office of Information Technology and ResNet to address students’ technology needs.
- Student Senate: A representative of RHA attends the weekly meetings of the Student Senate to serve as a liaison between these student governance groups.
- Student Center Advisory Committee: A representative of RHA attends the meetings to give updates on work this committee facilitates.
RHA meets every Monday at 7 p.m. during the academic year. Meetings are held in the multi-purpose room of Bridgeway Commons. RHA meetings are open to the public and guest speakers are appreciated.
