Hall Government Information

What is hall government?

Every residential area has a hall government consisting of community members who agree to serve a one-year term of office. Residential colleges and some halls (i.e., Interfaith, GREEN house, and Sigma Alpha Iota) hold their government elections in the winter quarter. All other halls elect their officers at the beginning of the fall quarter. Officers elected in the fall must agree to live in the residence hall for the entire year and serve in their positions until the end of the 2011-12 academic year. Designated residential life staff members serve as advisors to each hall government and work closely with officers to ensure that they comply with all Universities policies and procedures.

Hall government officers are responsible for wisely using hall government social dues to plan and implement a wide variety of social and community development programs throughout the academic year.  The hall government officers also oversee the purchase of major amenities for the hall including pool tables, ping pong tables, microwaves, and televisions.  The hall government president represents the community’s residents at Residence Hall Association meetings and helps RHA plan campus wide events for students living in residence halls.  If you have any questions about hall government in your building, please talk to your CA.

How to run for hall government

It is easy to run for hall government. Every interested resident must complete these four steps.

1) Submit an application to Residential Life; email the application to: hallgovernment@u.northwestern.edu

2) Meet one-on-one with your CA regarding your interest in running for hall government before the Candidate Information Session.

3) Attend the Candidate Information Session during the week of September 25th (time & location TBD by hall/house. Contact your CA for more info.)

4) Attend a Meet the Candidates Munchies during the week of October 2nd (time & location TBD by hall/house. Contact your CA for more info.) All candidates will present a brief speech about why you are interested in the position.

All candidates must be able to attend the mandatory hall officer training on October 12th from 6pm-10pm (More information about training and location to follow)

Position Descriptions

President: Leads hall government meetings, oversees committees, and is the main RHA contact.  The president also attends all RHA meetings, and fulfills all duties required by the Student Organization Finance Office (SOFO).

Vice President: Assists the president in leading the government and leads meetings when the president is absent.

Treasurer: Responsible for the financial operations of social funds and fulfills all duties required by the Student Organization Finance Office (SOFO), as well as maintaining the hall budget. Submit budget reports to Government Advisor.

Social Chair: Plans resident social events and chairs activity sub-committees. The social chair also keeps and creates traditions (example: Munchies), collaborates with the Community Assistants (CA) and other hall government social chairs, and encourages resident involvement in hall government activities.

Secretary: Records attendance, takes minutes (notes) at each meeting, and distributes them appropriately. Produces regular newsletters to residents and assists with publicizing events to hall residents. Learning and using the list serves appropriately.

Eco Rep: Attends monthly Eco-rep meetings, encourages educational initiatives in the residence halls, communicates with university departments, student clubs and organizations regarding sustainability initiatives, encourages residents to develop sustainable living habits, and facilitates resident participation in the annual Green Cup competition.

Building specific officer positions. For more information, contact your Area Coordinator or CA.

• VP/Treasurer (1835 Hinman only)

• Philanthropy Chair (Allison Residential Community only)

• Communications Director (Elder Residential Community only)

• Community Service Director (Elder Residential Community only)

2011-2012 Government Positions By Building

584 Lincoln

President

Treasurer

Social Chair

1835 Hinman

President

VP/Treasurer

2 Social Chairs

Secretary

Publicity Chair

Eco Rep

4 Floor Reps

Allison Hall

President

VP

Secretary

Treasurer

2 Social Chairs

Eco Rep

Philanthropy Chair

4 Floor reps

Bobb-McCulloch

President

VP/Eco Rep

Secretary

Treasurer

Social Chair

Elder Residential Community

President

VP/Eco Rep

Treasurer

Communications Director

2 Social Chairs

Community Service Chair

Foster House

President

VP

Treasurer

Social Chair

Eco Rep

Foster-Walker

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Publicity Chair

2 Social Chairs

Environmental Chair/Eco Rep

Goodrich House

President

VP

Treasurer

Social Chair

Eco Rep

Lindgren House

President

VP

Secretary

Treasurer

Social Chairs

Eco Rep

Kemper Hall

President

VP

Secretary

Treasurer

Social Chair

Eco Rep

Mid-Quads (NMQ & SMQ w/ one government)

President

VP/Eco Rep

Treasurer

Social Chair (2

Rogers House

President

VP/Eco Rep

Treasurer

Social Chair

Secretary

Historian

Sargent Hall

President

VP/Eco Rep

Treasurer

Secretary

2 Social Chairs

President

Treasurer

Social Chair

1856 Orrington

President

Treasurer

Social Chair