The following resource page includes specific resources for advisors who work with RHAs, NRHH chapters, and hall councils. As you can tell from this page, although there are many resources on advising student organizations generally, there are not nearly as many resources on advising residence life student organizations specifically. Additionally, although these resources do exist, they are disparate, campus-specific, and may not by publicly accessible on the internet.
Campus-Level Organizations
Many housing and residence life departments have their “own” student organizations focused specifically on student programming and advocacy in the residence halls. At the hall or area level, these may be called hall council, area council, or hall government (“hall gov” for short). There are also campus wide organizations, often called residence hall associations (RHA), or inter-hall council (IHC). A campus may also have a chapter to the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
National Organizations
There is also a national association that serves all of these campus organizations and provides resources and holds a conference every year, the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH). NACURH is also made up of a number of regional organizations (NEACURH, CAACURH, SAACURH, GLACURH, MACURH, SWACURH, IACURH, and PACURH). NARCUH also has the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), which is the national umbrella for NRHH chapters that for recognizes hall leaders, communities and programs.
NACURH and its regions offer various forms of “Advisor Resource Training” or ART. This has involved a set curriculum and opportunity for certification.
Resources
- Getting Engaged: Let’s Talk About Residence Hall Associations and Student Engagement by Tin Tormey (ACUHO-I Talking Stick)
- How to Be a Spectacular RHA Advisor, According to 5 People Who’ve Done it Before
- Conferences: From Delegate to Advisor
- Creating a Residence Hall Association
- Revitalizing Your Residence Hall Association
- Advice for Advisers: Empowering Your Residence Hall Association (2006) – Available on Amazon
