There is a positive correlation between academic success and campus involvement; research has shown that involved students do better academically, and have more success in the job market upon graduation. The residence halls provide an opportunity for community involvement, as well as a chance to develop leadership skills.
The following is an overview of the groups/organizations that are available to become involved with in your residence hall community:
Community Assembly serves as a catalyst for ideas and hall spirit, and is the cornerstone of hall identity. Community Assembly actively deals with departmental issues and works on projects that grow out of the interests and needs of hall residents. Recycling and energy issues, fundraising, planning special programs and events, reviewing hall and housing policies, and hall improvements are typical issues that Community members address during weekly meetings.
Students are encouraged to become involved in residence hall government. Each hall has its own governmental system. Like any other concentration of people within boundaries, the residence halls function best when positions of leadership, organization, and representation are established. For this reason, each hall selects a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and representatives for the Community Assembly organization (further defined below).
RHA is the overall representative governing body for the residence halls. RHA promotes a positive on-campus living environment by addressing and representing the residence hall system as a unit in determining issues and concerns affecting all on-campus residents. In addition to promoting inter- and intra- hall programming, RHA supports and sponsors programs and events between halls and other campus organizations. Other opportunities for involvement in RHA include regional and national affiliation and conference attendance.
RHA Executive Officers include: President, Vice President, National Communications Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, NRHH President and Programming Chair. The responsibilities these officers have are as follows: attend weekly executive and general body meetings, participation in hall training and team-building exercises, attend campus-wide training workshops offered for individuals in leadership, actively participate in or lead hall and RHA committees, serve as a liaison to all halls in an effort to keep halls informed of activities and opportunities, and generate ideas and enthusiasm for hall projects and activities. Click [here] for more information on RHA.
NRHH provides recognition for the top 1% or students living in the residence halls who have shown outstanding service and leadership. NRHH promotes such activities as "Of the Month" awards in programming and individual leadership. NRHH also promotes and sponsors programs which encourage leadership development for students. Click [here] for more information on NRHH.
The University Heights Council (UHC) serves as the governing voice for all residents at University Heights. The UHC focuses on bringing resident ideas into action and developing community among residents. Executive officers for the UHC are President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer. Additional representatives can be elected to represent each of the three apartment sections at University Heights, RHA, and Intramurals.
Each Greek organization provides numerous leadership experiences for members and a wide variety of opportunities to get involved on campus and in the Kearney community. Click [here] for more information on becoming a member of the UNK Greek community.
Rho Alpha Sigma was created to recognize the outstanding efforts of Resident Advisors, Resident Assistants, and Community Assistants from campuses across the nation. Each year, up to ten percent of the total RA population on each campus may be selected for induction into Rho Alpha Sigma. Furthermore, the organization has been developed to promote excellence in the performance of the RA position and to promote the student affairs profession amongst the most skilled RAs. Click [here] for more information on this outstanding honorary society.