Residential/Apartment Life and Education, University Housing

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Leadership/Service Opportunities

University Housing Leadership Program Overview

Resident Leader’s Program

The Resident Leader’s Program consists of Hall and Community Councils, Learning Communities Advisory Boards, and Inter Housing Council (IHC). IHC is the main student government body of residents in University Housing. The main purposes of the organization, as stated in the IHC Constitution, are:

To promote University Housing resident needs and concerns through advocacy and representation. It seeks to gain and express student opinion on issues pertinent to on-campus housing students through involvement on University committees and boards.
To encourage opportunities to enhnce the development of students through Hall and Community Councils leadership participation, community service, social interaction and development of positive individual attitudes and values.

Inter-Housing Council (IHC)

Inter Housing Council consists of a President from each Hall and Community Council and three executive officers (President, Vice President of Finance and Outreach, and Vice President of Administration) who meet every other week, but everyone who lives in Cal Poly’s University Housing is a part of IHC.

The Inter Housing Council (IHC) is the central component of University Housing’s student voice and works to empower campus residents to play an active role in their communities through service, educational and social programming, and leadership opportunities. This group of democratically elected representatives from each on-campus housing unit meets bi-weekly during the school year and is the umbrella for the entire organization. IHC serves as the main voice/student government body for University Housing, and provides important student input into departmental policies and procedures, as well as other campus issues. IHC also enacts change through advocating for students’ needs with the ultimate goal of making Cal Poly housing more respectful and united communities. IHC provides an excellent starting point for broader campus leadership opportunities; such as, Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and College Council.

Elections for the three IHC executive officers are held during late Winter or early Spring Quarter for the following year’s council. All returning residents who plan to live in University Housing the following year are eligible to run for these positions. All University Housing residents are eligible to vote.

Presidents from Apartment Life Community Councils and from Residence Life Hall Councils meet separately every other week to discuss apartment- and residence-life-specific housing related matters.

Bringing Out the Best in Others

In addition to experiencing richer collegiate years, a resident's time spent in the Resident Leaders Program will assist in developing communication, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills. These skills will enable residents to achieve greater success academically and help students to be more competitive in the job market after graduation.

Developing Leadership Skills

A wide variety of leadership opportunities are available for students in University Housing by participating in the Resident Leaders Program. In the true spirit of Cal Poly's "Learn by Doing" motto, residents gain the greatest skills through planning activities and working together to make a difference in on-campus housing and/or the campus and local community. Each year, student leaders in Hall and Community Councils are invited to attend a Leadership Training Retreat, as well as participate in an ongoing leadership development series. Campus and community involvement is also encouraged to increase students’ awareness of different opportunities for leaders on campus.

Involvement within the Housing Communities

Hall and Community Councils

Hall and Community Councils provide a forum where residents can express ideas and concerns about their community and make a positive change in their daily living. Leaders gain practical experience in organizing and communicating through planning activities; such as, dances, coffee houses, intramural sports teams, and community service projects. Hall and Community Councils work with staff to create fun and educational environments in on-campus housing.

In every on-campus housing community, the Hall and Community Council meets weekly with their advisor, a Coordinator of Student Development (CSD), and a co-advisor, a Resident or Community Advisor, who assists each group with programming, leadership training, and with projects throughout the year.

Elections for Hall and Community Council positions are held in each community in early Fall Quarter for the current academic year. All residents who live in the community are eligible to run for these positions and are eligible to vote.

Involvement Within the Campus and Learning Communities

While the Resident Leaders Program’s primary focus is resident’s on-campus housing experience; residents are also involved in the Cal Poly campus community, Academic Colleges and learning communities. The Resident Leaders Program recognizes the importance of being an active part of the community in which residents are a part.

Learning Communities Advisory Boards

Another aspect of the Resident Leaders Program is the Learning Community Advisory Boards. These boards serve in an advisory capacity to accomplish learning communities’ goals through programming, education, advertising, and advisory meetings. University Housing has four Learning Community Advisory Boards, which are connected to each of our living communities: Living Learning Program, Connections, Transitions and Sophomore Success.

The Vice President or another designated member from each Hall and Community Council affiliated with that learning community meets as a group once a month with the Learning Community Coordinator who serves as advisor to the Board.

Once a quarter, all Advisory Board members meet together to discuss issues that encompass all of the University Housing learning communities.

Service to the Community

Another aspect of the Resident Leaders Program is its commitment to community service. University Housing and the Resident Leaders Program have won numerous awards for outstanding community service efforts through the EnR.I.C.H. Program. Whether students are helping to plant a garden, tutoring a homeless child, raising money to feed the hungry, donating meals, or walking in the Annual AIDS Walk in downtown San Luis Obispo, they are learning leadership skills that last a lifetime.

Community Service page.

Becoming an Ally in the Cal Poly Community

As leaders in the 21st Century, we must learn to celebrate differences among us and to develop skills that allow us to live and learn together. The University Housing experience provides students with opportunities to celebrate who they are and to be educated about others. For more detailed information, check out University Housing’s cultural inclusion section.

For more information on how to get involved in any of the programs mentioned above contact the Coordinator of Student Development for a specific housing community (see staff contacts page) or call the Residential Life and Education Office at 805-756-5690.