Student Leaders

Assistant Resident Directors (ARD) are live-in positions within the University of Washington (UW) residential communities. ARDs work collaboratively through unique roles to support community development and resident engagement. ARDs model and support inclusive and welcoming communities; are knowledgeable about and abide by the policies of Housing & Food Services (HFS) and the UW; demonstrate sound judgment; participate in and facilitate a team approach with coworkers; complete necessary administrative tasks; and provide quality customer service to residents and visitors.

The ARD serves as the primary advisor to their assigned residential student organization; assists with building and community management; enforces and abides by the policies of the UW Department of Housing & Food Services (HFS), UW, as well as Washington State and federal laws in the UW residential communities; supports community development efforts; demonstrates sound judgment; participates in and facilitates a team approach with coworkers; completes necessary administrative tasks; and provides appropriate customer service to students and visitors.

Assistant Residence Education Specialists (ARES) are live-in positions within the University of Washington (UW) residential communities. ARESs work collaboratively through unique roles to support community development and resident engagement. ARESs model and support inclusive and welcoming communities; are knowledgeable about and abide by the policies of Housing & Food Services (HFS) and the UW; demonstrate sound judgment; participate in and facilitate a team approach with coworkers; complete necessary administrative tasks; and provide quality customer service to residents and visitors.

The ARES serves as the primary advisor to their assigned residential student organization; assists with building and community management; enforces and abides by the policies of the UW Department of Housing & Food Services (HFS), UW, as well as Washington State and federal laws in the UW residential communities; supports community development efforts; demonstrates sound judgment; participates in and facilitates a team approach with coworkers; completes necessary administrative tasks; and provides appropriate customer service to students and visitors.

Resident Advisers (RA) are live-in positions within the University of Washington (UW) residential communities. RAs work collaboratively through unique roles to support community development and resident engagement. RAs model and support inclusive and welcoming communities; are knowledgeable about and abide by the policies of Housing & Food Services (HFS) and the UW; demonstrate sound judgment; facilitate a team approach with team members; complete necessary administrative tasks; and provide quality customer service to residents and visitors.

The RA supports and encourages residents to make the most of their Husky Experience by exploring their identity, developing meaningful relationships, making intentional choices, and focusing on their trajectory at the UW and beyond. The RA establishes a cohesive and responsible community in their designated area, facilitates the holistic development of residents through one-on-one interactions, promotes resident involvement, and refers and supports residents as they manage academic and personal issues.

Community Assistants (CA) are live-in positions within the University of Washington (UW) residential communities. CAs work collaboratively through unique roles to support community development and resident engagement. CAs model and support inclusive and welcoming communities; are knowledgeable about and abide by the policies of Housing & Food Services (HFS) and the UW; demonstrate sound judgment; facilitate a team approach with team members; complete necessary administrative tasks; and provide quality customer service to residents and visitors.

The CA supports and encourages residents to make the most of their Husky Experience by exploring their identity, developing meaningful relationships, making intentional choices, and focusing on their trajectory at the UW and beyond. The CA establishes a cohesive and responsible community in their designated area, facilitates the holistic development of residents through one-on-one interactions, promotes resident involvement, and refers and supports residents as they manage academic and personal issues.

Residential Programming Board (RPB) members are live-in positions within the University of Washington (UW) residential communities. Members work collaboratively through unique roles to support community development and resident engagement. RPB members model and support inclusive and welcoming communities, are knowledgeable about and abide by the policies of Housing & Food Services (HFS) and the UW, demonstrate sound judgment, participate in, and facilitate a team approach with coworkers, complete necessary administrative tasks, and provide quality customer service to residents and visitors.

The RPB member supports residents to make the most of their Husky Experience by crafting opportunities for residents to engage socially with peers. The RPB team is charged with assisting in the activation of HFS programming spaces by planning activities in a variety of ways that are responsive to and inclusive of diverse student interests. RPB plans social, community building events that are designed for the entire residential community.

Residence Education Programmers (REPs) are live-in positions within the University of Washington (UW) residential communities. REPs work collaboratively through unique roles to support community development and resident engagement. REPs model and support inclusive and welcoming communities, are knowledgeable about and abide by the policies of Housing & Food Services (HFS) and the UW, demonstrate sound judgment, participate in, and facilitate a team approach with coworkers, complete necessary administrative tasks, and provide quality customer service to residents and visitors.

The REP supports residents to make the most of their Husky Experience by exploring educational content. The REP team is charged with assisting in the activation of HFS programming spaces by planning educational activities for building communities that are responsive to and inclusive of diverse student interests focused on the areas of wellness, academic success, and diversity.

The Residential Community Student Association (RCSA) promotes residential community student interests, needs, and welfare within the residential communities. They support and improve the residential community experience as a policy advisory group to the Housing & Food Services administration. The organization also distributes funds for cultural, educational, and community building events, and provides opportunities to develop individual leadership qualities and an understanding of group action for its representatives. During RCSA general council meetings, representatives have the opportunity to bring forth inquiries to the executive board and HFS administration, see presentations on a variety of topics pertinent to student experience, vote on RCSA legislation & funding proposals, and develop leadership skills.

Each residential community has a Hall Council that consists of volunteer or appointed members of the residential community that advocate for the interests of the community they serve and plan events that foster engagement and a sense of belonging.

There are many opportunities that are available to students who are interested in joining hall council. There are executive board positions, representative positions, and general council positions open for any resident interested in applying.

Executive Board Position

Students serving on the executive board cattend weekly hall council and executive board meetings. Many executive board members oversee the work of other students on their hall council or are responsible for areas of community development within the group. Such areas may include programming, communications, recruitment & retention, and representation.

Representative Position

Students serving in representative roles attend weekly hall council and one additional meeting per week. The additional meeting is with another student leadership or Housing & Food Services organization and the representative’s role is to synthesize information provided and report back to their Hall Council. Representative roles are available in the areas of sustainability, budget & financing, student conduct, student advocacy, and student government.

Floor Representative/General Member

Students serving in a floor representative or general member role attend weekly hall council meetings. They also provide student input on various initiatives happening across Housing & Food Services. There are additional opportunities for general members to be involved in committees and program planning within the hall council as well.