Hall Governments

Residence Hall Association (RHA) and Residential College Board (RCB)

All residence hall governments are governed by the Residence Hall Association (RHA), advised by University Residential Life. All residential college governments are governed by the Residential College Board (RCB), advised by the Office of Residential Colleges. All residential students are either members of RHA or RCB, depending on whether they live in a residence hall or residential college.

For their respective communities, RHA and RCB:

  • Provide a forum for residence hall governments to discuss campus issues
  • Liaison with Northwestern administration regarding hall improvements
  • Facilitate communication between hall governments
  • Plans social programs
  • Collaborate with each other on matters of mutual interest

Hall Government

Each year residential students elect a team of hall government officers to provide leadership to and community development programs for the residents of each community. A list of current officers is available here. All officers are responsible for:

  • Providing inclusive social programs and community building activities
  • Attending weekly meetings to discuss programs and happenings in the community
  • Getting to know residents in the community
  • Administering the budget (social dues) of the residence or residential college
  • Representing the community at either RHA or RCB meetings
  • Performing the duties listed in their constitution and in the hall government leadership manual
  • Working with the professional advisors through University Residential Life and/or the Office of Residential Colleges
  • Maintaining good disciplinary standing throughout the year

Joining Hall Government

Many Hall Governments hold elections in the Fall

We are currently seeking candidates to run for Hall Government Officer positions in the following residence halls: 1856 Orrington, 1835 Hinman, Allison, Bobb-McCulloch, Elder, Foster-Walker, Goodrich, Lindgren, Kemper, Mid-Quads, Rogers and Sargent.   This is a great opportunity to get involved and gain leadership experience while benefitting your residential community. Residential Colleges and some residence halls conducted elections in the Spring quarter for 2012-13.  If you are living in an area that already has an Executive Board elected, please contact your Area Coordinator or CA to discuss other ways to get involved. Visit our election page for more information and an application to run for a position.

Manual for Hall Government Officers

Residential Services offers a manual for officers of hall governments in residence halls and residential colleges. The manual outlines procedures for working with finances and processing contracts. The manual also outlines some policies that all hall government officers should know and follow (like movie viewing, holding raffles, and conducting fundraisers). View the Residential College/Residence Hall Officers' Handbook.