Student Organizations

Since students are our business, we are supportive of student conferences and send full delegations to state, regional and national conferences. Since we believe that advising is an important skill, we have encouraged RHDs to become advisors to state and regional student organizations. The current WURHA Advisor is a UWO RHD.

Student Roles In The Department

Central Office / Custodial and Maintenance Offices

Student employees hold valuable roles within the Central Office of the Department of Residence Life, and the Custodial and Maintenance Offices. Students serve our office in many capacities, including coordination of student payroll, key inventory, budget, purchasing, mail distribution, cash handling and office reception.

Community Advisor (CA)

The Community Advisor serves as a resource to students and staff. The CA's overall goal is to promote students' academic and personal growth, specifically as it relates to their ability to be self-reliant and responsible members of their community. The Department of Residence Life employs 89 Community Advisors.

Program Assistant (PA)

The Program Assistant is the Residence Hall Director's assistant in various functions of operations and administration. Each of the nine Program Assistants serve in specialized positions including Main Desk PA,  International PA Academic Initiatives PA and Engagement and Involvement PA. While they are not responsible for a residence hall floor community, they are responsible for their own unique community.

Leadership Development Specialist (LDS)

The Department of Residence Life employs three Leadership Development Specialists. LDS's are undergraduate students that work to promote three specific areas. These include Hall Leader Development, Community Service/Citizenship and Leadership Development. In addition, they work with individual Hall Councils to assess their progress and promote their continued development.

Graphic Artists

The four graphic artists are undergraduate students who are usually Graphic Communications majors. They create posters, pamphlets, logos, T-shirts, as well as other marketing materials as requested.

Management Information Office (MIO)

The Management Information Office provides computer and technology services and support for the Department of Residence Life and the students living in the residence halls. With the exception of the MIO Coordinator, all employees of the MIO Office are student employees.

Desk Receptionists

Desk Receptionists staff the main desks within each of our residence halls. Our department employs approximately 7-0 student receptionists to answer phones, greet residents, check out equipment, sort mail, provide security and complete other administrative tasks.

Night Hosts

Our four largest residence halls are home to the Night Host Security Program. These student workers provide additional security at residence hall entrances 9:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. nightly. Night hosts check student identification and sign-in guests of residents living in the building.

RHD Secretary

Each RHD hires a student to assist them in the execution of their duties. Duties include administrative paperwork such as typing, filing, answering phone and maintenance of hall databases and rosters. They also complete a daily mail run and other duties as assigned by the RHD.

Student Leadership Opportunities

National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH)

The National Residence Hall Honorary is a selective organization comprised of the top 1% of all students in college and university residence halls across the country. Every year nominations for membership are accepted from student leaders, Hall Executive Board members, Community Advisor/Program Assistants and Residence Hall Directors. The UWO NRHH Chapters recognize excellence in the residence halls through the "Of-The-Month" program offered through NACURH.

United Student In Residence Halls (USRH)

The United Students in Residence Halls is a student organization that provides an opportunity for self-expression and governance for the students living in the residence halls. USRH helps to create and review policies concerning student needs within the context of the Residence Life program and residence hall food services. All students currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh that live in the residence halls are members of USRH. All students are welcome to attend meetings and voice their opinions addressing issues that affect their life in the residence halls. USRH is also responsible for the Loft Rental Program on campus.

USRH is a large organization that addresses a variety of students' needs through a six-member Executive Board and a well developed committee structure. Committees of USRH are:

• Activities Committee
• Appeals Committee
• Budget and Facilities Committee
• Community Volunteer Committee
• Environmental Task Force
• Food Committee
• Interhall Funding (IFC) Committee
• Leadership Development Committee
• Policies Committee
• Safety and Security Committee

Hall Government

Each residence hall at UWO has its own hall council. Hall councils serve the residents of each hall. They serve as "the voice" for the students living in each residence hall. Each hall council is represented within USRH. Most hall councils plan programs, activities and events for the residents living in their hall. They all participate regularly in such campus events as Homecoming, Winter Carnival, Fall Fest and other large events.