UCLA
Residential Life

Resident Government Council

UCLA’s On Campus Housing has a robust student government created for students with an interest in leadership who take on active, committed roles within the residential community by promoting True Bruin values on the Hill and upholding the mission and core values of Residential Life.

Our residential student leaders are provided multiple and diverse opportunities to be dynamically involved with their communities, and enhance the residential experience by enticing and engaging residents in activities and topics such as: academics, service, sustainability, social justice, safety, health, and the arts. Additionally, they utilize a variety of methods (example: social media) to promote positive living and learning within communities and to inform and involve its members.

Specific Resident Government Opportunities

If you are interested in student government at the all-Hill level you might also be interested in Executive Board positions with OCHC. This is the UCLA On Campus Housing Council which is the governing body of the Hill.

If you are interested in student government at the local residential level you might also be interested in Association President or Treasurer, review the information below.

To learn more about Hill government, visit our Hill Council page.

What are the position responsibilities of an Association Position?

President Job Description

  1. The President is the official representative of the Cabinet, representing the
    [COMMUNITY NAME] Residents’ Association to the administration of Residential Life,
    Housing, and UCLA.
  2. The President brings both the Cabinet and Association meetings to order and is
    responsible for facilitating discussion. The President shall be responsible for preparing
    agendas for all Cabinet and Association meetings ahead of time.
    a. This will be done in conjunction with the Assistant Resident Director.
  3. The President shall also fulfill any meetings / committee responsibilities as required by
    further sections and amendments of the Constitution.
  4. The President shall cast a vote when the vote of the Association is tied. In such
    circumstances, the President shall vote in the best interest of the community.
  5. Meet regularly with Assistant Resident Director and Resident Director in order to
    cultivate personal growth, leadership skills, and position competence.
  6. Attend all [COMMUNITY NAME] Association meetings in order to fulfill position
    responsibilities and stay engaged and connected with residents in an effort to be most
    knowledgeable about individual and community needs as to ensure proper advocacy on
    their behalf.
  7. Maintain and facilitate open and effective communication among Cabinet Members,
    Professional-Staff, and Community Representatives.
  8. Presidents as well as Treasurers are responsible for communicating all Funding
    Advisory Board Proposals from the weekly Funding and Advisory Board Meetings to the
    Community Representatives during Association Meetings.
  9. Meet regularly with advisor(s) and fellow Resident Government Council members in
    order to cultivate personal growth, leadership skills, and position competence.
  10. The Treasurer and the President shall attend Funding & Advisory Board meetings as the
    [COMMUNITY NAME] representative and report back to the Cabinet and Association
    with any relevant information. If the Treasurer and President are not available for valid
    reasoning, a proxy should attend in order to be the voice of the community and the
    advisor must be notified.

Treasurer Job Description

  1. The Treasurer, in consultation with the Resident Director and Assistant Resident
    Director, shall be responsible for the maintenance of the [COMMUNITY NAME]
    Community budget.
  2. The Treasurer will set up and manage funds for the current academic year through True
    Bruin Welcome of the following year.
  3. The Treasurer shall present budget updates each week during Association meetings.
  4. The Treasurer and the President shall attend Funding & Advisory Board meetings as the
    [COMMUNITY NAME] representative and report back to the Cabinet and Association
    with any relevant information. If the Treasurer and President are not available for valid
    UPDATED FEBRUARY 2019 6
    reasoning, a proxy should attend in order to be the voice of the community and the
    advisor must be notified.
  5. Meet regularly with advisor(s) and President in order to cultivate personal growth,
    leadership skills, and position competence.
  6. Attend all [COMMUNITY NAME] Association meetings in order to fulfill position
    responsibilities and stay engaged and connected with residents in an effort to be most
    knowledgeable about individual and community needs as to ensure proper advocacy on
    their behalf.
  7. Accountable for taking the [COMMUNITY NAME]’s Association meeting minutes.

On-Campus Housing Council Job Description

While this Representative is a member of [COMMUNITY NAME] Association, they are a key affiliate of the On-Campus Housing Council and as such they are knowledgeable about their community needs in order to vote, represent, and advocate for the [COMMUNITY NAME] Association.

  1. Attend On-Campus Housing Council and Policy Review Board meetings.
  2. Participate in the planning and execution of On-Campus Housing Council legislation.
  3. Participate in the planning and execution of On-Campus Housing Council programming efforts.
  4. Meet regularly with the President, [COMMUNITY NAME] Assistant Resident Director, and On-Campus Housing Council advisor in order to cultivate personal growth, leadership skills, and position competence.
  5. Attend all [COMMUNITY NAME] Association meetings in order to fulfill position responsibilities and stay engaged and connected with residents in an effort to be most knowledgeable.
  6. All On-Campus Housing Council Representatives are expected to communicate any Hill-wide developments to the community representatives related to Maintenance, Dining, Rooms Division, UCPD, Sustainability, Information Technology, Housing, etc.
  7. All On-Campus Housing Council Representatives should utilize Community Association meetings to gain insights relevant to Policy Review Board Meetings: Dining, Rooms Division, UCPD, Maintenance, Residential Life, Sustainability, Information Technology, Housing, etc.

Outreach Representative Job Description

  1. Responsible for all social media and physical (fliers & posters) communication regarding Resident Government Council and outside events that may benefit the community (does not include Programming Assistant, Living Learning Community Intern or Resident Assistant events).
  2. Attend Team Green meetings and assist in Team Green programs and initiatives in order to preserve environment-conscious behavior within the community.
  3. Attend NRHH meetings and assist in NRHH programs and initiatives in order to uphold and maintain the values of leadership and service in the UCLA community and beyond. Outreach Representatives must attend both.
    1. Outreach Representatives must be active in communication and participation in programs outside of the meetings.
    2. Team Green and NRHH meetings must be scheduled at separate times.
  4. Promote the writing and submission of OTMS (of the month awards given through the National Residence Hall Honorary)
  5. Attend all [COMMUNITY NAME] Association meetings in order to fulfill position responsibilities and stay engaged and connected with residents.

How are the positions being advertised?

Through a number of efforts on the Hill, including social media, digital displays, word of mouth, and various other means of communication to spread the word that we are looking for the next leaders of Hill.

When do I have to decide to run?

Please speak to your Assistant Resident Director or Resident Director for more information!

What will I be doing in my role?

A key asset of our resident government is peer advocacy. The desire to promote the best interests of all residents with a focus on the quality and satisfaction of the on-campus living experience is at the forefront of all decision/policy making. The On Campus Housing student leaders connect with as many residents as possible in order to understand the diverse array of student experiences. These leaders serve as conduits to share the needs and feedback of residents with administrators and other advocacy channels. They also have such opportunities as: reviewing funding proposals, offering input on the cost of on-campus housing and how residential student money is allocated and spent, and planning and organizing programs that enhance the on campus living experience.

In order to accomplish all of this, key meetings with an open dialogue discussion take place about specific community needs, as well as all Hill needs. Additionally, the structure of this student government system begins with the On Campus Housing Council (OCHC) as the lead advocacy and decision-making body. Each community is represented via a vote at OCHC meetings. These representatives also hold individual meetings in their own communities to create forums to hear directly from students about their specific needs and interests. Finally, for each smaller community, on the floor or house level, there are also opportunities for residents to get involved, have their voices heard, and make a difference.

What is the compensation for holding a position?

A residential association leader is compensated via stipend at $400 a quarter. All stipends are voted on each quarter by that association.

What is the time commitment for being in residential student government?

5-8 hours a week is expected of a residential association leader. Leaders MUST be able to attend the entirety of September training (precludes Summer Session C and NSAs)

Still have questions?

For additional information about student leader positions or the application process please contact Mike McCormack and mmccormack@orl.ucla.edu.