Student Leadership Opportunities
The Department of Residence Life offers students a variety of ways to develop their leadership skills. Opportunities include:
Resident Assistants
RAs are considered paraprofessional employees of the Department of Residence Life. They are exceptional students who have demonstrated leadership skills and are willing to take on a great amount of responsibility above their academic load. RAs are responsible for monitoring the safety and well-being of students in their assigned building, as well as providing social and educational programming opportunities that expand the student experience outside the classroom.
To become an RA, students must pass through a rigorous interview process and then complete the RA training program. RAs receive a room and board as compensation for this position.
Hall Councils
Each residence hall or complex is served by one or more hall councils comprising at least four residents who live in that area. The members of hall council meet regularly to discuss issues affecting students in their area. They work with a professional staff member (who also acts as advisor) to improve the quality of life for their constituents.
In addition, hall councils are tasked with planning and implementing events for their fellow students, as well as purchasing capitol equipment for student use, including board games, DVD collections, video game systems, and pool tables.
Events sponsored by hall councils include ski trips, paintball trips, movie nights, ice cream socials, and assorted competitions. The hall council program is overseen by the Resident Student Association in consultation with the Department of Residential Life.
Resident Student Association
The RSA is the representative body of resident students at Northeastern. It is comprised of members of every hall council, as well as an elected executive board. RSA works to improve the quality of life for all resident students at NU. This mission is completed through the planning and implementation of campus-wide events and through service on various University committees.
In addition, RSA is responsible for the distribution and appropriate use of the resident student fee, which is paid by every resident student at NU.
RSA is a highly respected student organization on campus and works proactively with other student organizations, Housing & Residential Life, Student Activities, and other entities.