Opportunities for Involvement
For incoming students who want to get involved early, there are a number of opportunities provided by the Office of Residential Life (as well as other departments such as Wilson Commons Student Activities and the Center for Community Engagement).
Incoming first-year students have the opportunity to be an EcoRep or a leadership ambassador. Incoming transfer students have the opportunity to be leadership ambassadors.
Both first years and transfer students can apply in their first year on campus to be RAs, fellows, or D’Lions for their next year when those application are available.
EcoReps
The First-Year EcoReps Program is a unique leadership opportunity that combines sustainability and residential life responsibilities. There are 20-30 first-year EcoReps distributed across residential halls. EcoReps participate in a 2-credit class, meeting for one hour twice a week, covering a broad range of interdisciplinary environmental topics and improving students’ communication and leadership skills. Throughout the course, students engage in debates and give presentations, in addition to attending lectures given by Upper-Class EcoReps, professors, and community guest speakers. Classwork includes participation in one of four committees: the Community Engagement, Garden, Social Media, and Zero Waste Committees. The course is taught by two coordinators who have previously completed the program.
EcoReps arrive on campus a few days before their fellow classmates for a Pre-Orientation program. Pre-Orientation is a fun and interactive experience that allows First-Year EcoReps to learn more about the sustainability initiatives on campus through tailored presentations given by the sustainability office and dining team. EcoReps also get the opportunity to embark on field trips to learn more about the local Rochester environment.
A major component of being an EcoRep includes participation in Residential Life. Along with RAs, First-Year Fellows, and D’Lions, EcoReps play a crucial leadership role within residential halls by being the go-to sustainability resource. Ecoreps educate their hallmates about sustainability through collaborative hall programs and bulletin boards.
First-year EcoRep applications are open in early May. Please check the EcoRep website for more information about the program and the EcoRep application. After you submit an application, the EcoRep Coordinators will contact you to conduct an interview. Feel free to reach out to urecoreps@gmail.com with any questions.
Hall Council Boards
Each residential area has a hall council. They are a selected student leadership group that represents residents in their community. This executive board is dedicated to enhancing the community and residents’ experience.
Their core functions include:
- Community Representation
- Event Planning
- Budget oversight
- Problem-Solving/Advocacy
- Community
If you have any questions about becoming involved or would like to apply, please contact leadershipprogramsga@ur.rochester.edu.
Residential Hall Association
The Resident Hall Association (RHA) serves to represent residence halls and all on-campus students by developing leaders and maintaining an inclusive community through co-sponsorship, student recognition, and additional support services. We work closely with the leadership ambassadors and the Special Interest Housing organizations.
We promote and support advocacy within residential life organizations to improve the quality of the undergraduate residential experience.
We work with residential life to ensure standardization and efficiency of processes between residential life and residential life organizations.
