The Residence Halls Association (RHA) of UCR is a student run organization for all residents. RHA supports hall and campus programs and activities, provides leadership training, and serves as a coordinating body for all hall events. RHA advises the Office of Residence Life in the development of residence hall policies, procedures, programs and facilities. RHA is advised by a professional staff member from the Office of Residence Life and manages an approximate annual budget of $35,000.
STRUCTURE AND INVOLVEMENT
All residents are members of RHA, and are invited to attend meetings. RHA consists of 3 councils: A-I Council, Lothian Council, and Pentland Hills Council. Voting membership consists of one senator from each floor. From these representatives, officers are selected who, in addition to representing their floors, coordinate council functions. The President, Vice President, National Communications Coordinator, Vice President of Technology and Facilities and Finance Chair are elected at the end of the previous year.
The duties of each officer is as follows:
RHA President- Presides over all executive and full meetings, arranges meeting agendas, oversees committees and chairs, serves on all committees, calls executive, council, and full RHA meetings, and works with Housing to create the activities budget, regulate funds, and justify RHA expenditures. The President meets regularly with Housing Services administrators.
Building Vice President- Assists the President where needed, oversees committees, coordinates building council events, presides over all building complex meetings, attends all executive council meetings, writes an end-of-quarter report of their work, and acts as President in his/her absence.
National Communications Coordinator (NCC)- Serves on the ASUCR (Associated Students of UCR) Senate as an ex-officio member and represents the residents. Relays information to and from RHA and ASUCR. Serves as the NACURH (National Association of College and University Residence Halls) NCC (National Communications Coordinator). The NCC is responsible for award and conference bid, conference organization and registration, and the publication of monthly RHA newsletter and report for regional distribution. Attends all executive council meetings, and writes an end-of-quarter report of his/her work.
Vice President of Publicity and Finance- The Vice President of Publicity and Finance shall maintain the financial records of RHA, prepare and present an annual budget to the Executive Cabinet for its approval. Responsible for monitoring all RHA discretionary and activity fund expenditures, submit regular budget reports, and disburse discretionary funds. Shall work with the President and Advisor to execute duties.
Director of Programming- Plans, coordinates, and publicizes all RHA programs and activities via posters, flyers, and announcements. Responsible for the RHA bulletin board in the lobby areas of his/her building complex. Acts as liaison between ASPB and RHA. Oversees RHA T-shirt design and distribution. Attends weekly RHA council meetings and executive council meetings, and writes an end-of-quarter report of their work.
Vice President of Technology and Facilities- Shall be in charge of all technical equipment for RHA. This includes set up of PA systems for programs, as well as maintaining computers and printers in RHA offices. Liaison with Maintenance and Custodial staffs with respect to issues and concerns brought to RHA (maintenance requests, special projects, problems, etc.). Liaison with Dining Services regarding issues and concerns brought to RHA (hours, food/nutrition, special events, service, etc.) Attends weekly RHA meetings and executive council meetings, and writes an end-of-quarter report of their work.
Director of Publicity and Finance- Shall record minutes, take roll call for officers and senators, type up past meetings minutes for approval at the next meeting thereafter, attend all RHA council meetings, Cabinet meetings, write an end-of the quarter report of his/her work, update budget and work in coordination with the Vice President of Finance, Finance Committee, and building Vice President when allocating money. Shall serve two weekly office hours and write a bi-weekly report. Responsible for the publication of monthly RHA newsletter. He/She shall also chair the newsletter and Public Relations committee and work with the other Directors of Publicity and Finance.
FEES AND FUNDING- As a member of RHA, each student in the Residence Halls pays $45 in activity fees. This money is used to finance hallwide programs and hall funds. RHA also advises the staff on the use of Vending Machine Income. Your $45 goes toward funding hall activities (30%), hallwide programs (60%), and RHA/student staff events (10%).
National Residence Hall Honorary
The National Residence Hall Honorary is an organization that is made up of the top 1% of residence hall students. Their primary function is to recognize students and staff who provide leadership within the residence halls. The UCR Highlander Chapter has also taken an active role in encouraging community service events and putting on award banquets.