Statement on Programming and Student Leadership
The Department's Mission and Vision statements provide the basis for all Departmental activities including programming and the development of student leaders. As a result of planning and/or participating in programs in a residential unit, residents will increase their value of learning, gain respect for diversity, become better citizens, and become part of a healthy community.Committed to the desire to develop as many leaders as possible, the Department's staff acts as advisors to student leaders in the development and delivery of programs. A variety of models can be applied to provide encouragement for student leaders to provide a great variety of programs that meet individuals' educational and personal needs. While staff have the knowledge and ability to do the programs for students, they are committed to training leaders and encouraging and challenging students to become self reliant in their search for information, entertainment, and social/psychological outlets. Staff teach students where to find information, resources, and how to lead an activity.
The reason that staff serve in an advisory role is the belief that OSU needs to develop as many leaders as possible, and that students learn leadership best by doing. Student leaders benefit by the support of competent advisors and participation in leadership classes/seminars.
Residence Halls Association (RHA)
OSU Residential Life has a strong tradition of student government. Many students choose to get involved in various leadership roles that are designed to provide better programs and services for all residents. This system has been regionally and nationally acclaimed for more than 30 years.The Residence Halls Association is the student voice for on-campus residents. There are three governing levels in RHA: the community, the building, and the campus.
Intramurals, educational programs, and social activities are popular community activities. The building levels serve residents of the particular community. Special trips, dances, and special holiday activities are organized at this level. Finally, RHA serves all hall residents through a central executive branch and a legislative body, the Residents Representative Council (RRC). RRC is comprised of two representatives from each building or complex and meets weekly. The judicial branch of RHA is the Supreme Court, the student appellate body for community judicial board decisions (see Student Conduct). Examples of recent RHA efforts are RHA Week, the Adopt-A-Child program, and other educational and community service programs.
OSU's RHA is a member of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), the Southwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (SWACURH) and the Oklahoma Residence Halls Association (OKRHA). Affiliation with these state, regional, and national organizations provides numerous opportunities for leadership development through conferences, programs, and bid presentations.
By taking advantage of the programs in RHA, you gain personal strength and confidence. Your overall college education is enhanced in many ways by becoming involved in RHA.
First, by participating in many different experiences you will gain insight into your own personal strengths and begin to match these strengths and skills with academic and extracurricular areas.
Second, involvement allows you to learn how to utilize free time in a variety of activities and events which you can pursue on your own and integrate into your own lifestyle.
Finally, programming for groups is one way to build communities and to develop personal support within a group setting.
Student Leadership Positions
An integral part of the residence halls is the involvement of residents. You are not only allowed to get involved, you are expected to. Each community and hall has a variety of leadership positions. Some are already defined and include President, Treasurer, Activities Coordinator, Life Skills Coordinator, Peer Academic Coordinator, Hall Council Representative, RHA Representative, Dining Services Representative, Intramural Representative, and Judicial Board Representative.Community Funds
Your community will be your home for at least the next nine months. If you haven't already, you will soon meet your community-mates and will probably develop some lasting friendships with them.Each resident pays RHA dues which are included in room payments. Students voted to pay $13.50 per student per semester to fund their building and campus-wide RHA activities. Each building/complex receives $9.00 per person of this allocation to budget for building/complex and community activities. Community funds are available each semester.
These funds allow your community to do something that everyone can enjoy. There are only three restrictions on how this money is spent. First, how the money is spent must be decided by a majority of the community and must be a group activity. Second, the money cannot be spent in any way that would violate any laws or University regulations, such as purchasing or serving alcohol. Third, all receipts from previous transactions will be turned in before further money will be released.
You can do something innovative or something that has been previously successful, such as baseball games, bringing in a speaker, picnics, pizza parties, movies, getting community shirts, buying something for the community, etc. The possibilities are almost endless.
Hall/Area Government
Each building has a resident group called Hall Government. These groups have the capability to provide a number of functions for the facilities depending on their assessment of the needs of that particular area. The Government controls a large budget from which they can provide activities, entertainment, or items for the building/area. It acts as a representative body in making decisions or providing input in matters that may affect the residents of the building.Although the structures and names may differ, most councils are guided by an executive council consisting of a president, perhaps a vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and standing committee heads. Each community chooses one or more Council representatives to represent the interests of the community. Through a democratic process, decisions are made on how to improve the quality of life. This may be done through the discussion of and/or a decision on a particular event, with the help of residents.
If you are interested in becoming involved or have some ideas, come to the meetings. Dates and times will be posted and all meetings are open. If you want to be a community representative, bring it up at your first community meeting.
No matter what area you are involved in, the limit of what you can involve yourself in is only set by the desire, interests, and willingness to work to create a better life for yourself and your fellow residents.