Student Leadership Opportunities
As a student, becoming involved on campus is very important. Being an active member of the community allows for personal development and your voice to be heard as programming and our residential communities are being enhanced.
University Housing is proud to offer many student leadership opportunities for residents on campus. Through our leadership programs, students are able to advocate for the community, build their residential environment, and connect with other students, faculty and staff members within the department. Leaders within these organizations have helped shape our residential community and create hundreds of events, programs, and experiences.
Being involved and an active member of your community allows for unparallelled connections to be formed to our campus community and other students found within the residence halls. Student leaders also develop highly marketable and transferable skills which help propel residents to future success.
Residents on campus have numerous opportunities to give back to our institutional and local communities. Area Councils, RHA, BTO and NRHH strive to develop service programs and fundraisers to give back to our community. Leaders of these organizations work to select and support a wide array of philanthropic organizations.
Connect & Lead
Residence Hall Association
The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is an organization that represents every residence hall on campus at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Members from each of the Area Councils report to RHA. As representatives for their areas, members of RHA endeavor to support, develop and improve the on-campus living experience for SIU students via programming and collaboration with University Housing and by partnering with registered student organizations throughout campus. Membership with the Residence Hall Association is open to all residents living on campus.
RHA is led by a Board of Directors. This group of students are elected by the members of RHA and are made up of an Executive Director, Director of Administration, Director of Communications, Director of Events, Director of Recruitment, Director of Inclusivity, and Director of Public Relations. In addition to the Board of Directors, RHA appoints committee chairs who annually lead large-scale programs, projects and committees. The Graduate Assistant for Leadership Development serves as the primary advisor for RHA.
RHA sends representation to state, regional and international conferences each year. Conferences provide a great opportunity for students to network with oth er schools, learn new ideas to improve our campus and share the successes of SIU’s campus community.
Contact the Education & Outreach Office at (618) 453-7535 for more information.
Area councils are the programming and advocacy body for each of the residence halls on campus. Students living within the residence halls may have the opportunity to participate in an Area Council as an executive board member, program developer or general assembly member.
Each residence hall is connected to a specific Area Council, which guides program implementation, feedback gathering and leadership development by discussing concerns regarding their residential community and issues impacting on-campus residents. Area Councils also plan social programs for residents to get involved, connect and meet other people on campus.
Area Council provides many activities for students within the halls, including:
- Social and educational programs
- Attendance at Saluki athletic events
- Trips to surrounding cities and events
- Movie / Game nights
Area Council elections occur annually with opportunities for residents to run for President, Vice President, Programming Chair, Residence Hall Association Representatives, EcoRep and many others. Hall Directors and Assistant Hall Directors advise Area Councils in each of the buildings.
Watch for postings in your halls or talk to your Resident Assistant for more information on Area Council. Contact the Education & Outreach Office at 618-453-7535 for more information.
The Black Togetherness Organization (BTO) works to empower Southern Illinois University Carbondale students living in the residence halls by providing opportunities that develop leadership and life-long skills. BTO plans and implements activities focusing on academics; cultures; and educational, political, recreational and social areas. BTO also co-sponsors programs with other campus Registered Student Organizations.
The Black Togetherness Organization provides many activities for students within the halls, including:
- Kwanzaa Fest
- Ice cream socials
- Game nights
- Spring cultural festival
Watch for postings or flyers in your halls or visit the office on the first floor of Grinnell Hall for more information.