• RLA Webpage
  • Home
  • Our Mission
  • Staff Roster
  • Continuous Development Focus
  • Forms
  • Campus Resources
  • Policies
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Community Development
  • Training Reference
  • Supporting Hall Council
  • Desk Information
  • Contact

Supporting Hall Council

Why Should I, as an RLA, Support Hall Council?

Hall council offers empowering ways for residents to shape and connect with their community. These opportunities create a sense of investment in the hall that motivates residents to care about their space. As a result, residence halls with thriving hall councils are less likely to experience community difficulties and are prepared to quickly resolve community difficulties that do arise. In effect, supporting hall council means less of the disagreeable work that can hamper your RLA experience: there will be fewer instances of vandalism, people will be more respectful of quiet hours, the bathrooms will be cleaner, and so on.

In addition to motivating residents to care about their space, hall council hosts programs that help residents gain familiarity with one another. This contribution to hall community makes residents more inclined to seek other opportunities to connect - for example by attending the programs you host as an RLA. As such, strong hall councils support your community building efforts and make your experience as an RLA more fulfilling.

What Can I do to Support Hall Council?

Certainly supporting hall council benefits you as an RLA. But how does a floor become invested in hall council? Each floor community is unique and requires an approach tailored to the needs and interests of its members. But strategies common to all successful efforts to connect residents with hall council include the following:

• Motivating residents to run for executive board during the fall hall council election cycle. There are many persuasive arguments to run for hall council. For instance, serving on executive board strengthens leadership skills and creates opportunities for future professional advancement. In addition, participating in hall government is a fulfilling way to connect with hall community. Whatever the argument, sincerely encouraging residents to run for executive board during the fall election cycle boosts your floor's awareness of hall council right at the beginning of the year - an essential time when people are forming first impressions about their community.
• Regularly attending hall council meetings. Modeling involvement in hall council throughout the year sets a positive example that encourages others to participate. Inviting residents to join you furthers the efficacy of this approach. In addition, having first hand knowledge of hall council achievements improves your ability to persuade others to attend meetings.
• Relaying resident ideas and concerns to the attention of hall council. Not all residents are able to attend hall council meetings. However, sharing their thoughts with the executive board enables these residents to participate in hall government and feel invested in their community, in spite of being absent from meetings. Actively seeking input through the use of surveys, for example, is a great way to involve busy residents in hall council.
• Supporting hall council initiatives. Bringing residents to hall council programming and promoting awareness of hall council projects helps residents understand the contributions hall council makes to hall community. As such, involving residents in hall council initiatives encourages them to participate in planning future initiatives by attending hall council meetings.

You are encouraged to seek advice from other RLAs, an HRLA, or an RHD if you are having difficulty connecting residents with hall council. These conversations are a great opportunity to discuss problems and learn new ideas.

Hall Council 2011-2012 Timeline

More information to be announced.

Lawrence University, 711 E. Boldt Way, Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 832-7000 Contact | About | A-Z Index | Search | | |