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Student Involvement
The Office of Residence Life fosters the development of resident students through a number of involvement opportunities. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to gain leadership, time-management, cooperation, and practical skills. In addition to the opportunities below, the Office of Student Activities and Orientation can assist students with involvement in Hood’s many student organizations, class council, campus activities board, and other leadership roles.
Shared Governance
Governance of Hood’s housing system is shared amongst students, building/area staff, and College administration. Students play a significant role in creating a unique community atmosphere in each of Hood’s living environments and participate in the development of policy through the House Council/House Forum system and the Hood Student Government Association (SGA). Members of House Council and House Forum are often called upon to provide key feedback as part of resident assistant and professional staff hiring processes.
House Council
Each of the traditional residence halls has an elected House Council made up of residents of the building. House Councils are advised by an area coordinator. Members of House Council play an active role in providing activities and events for their hall and serve as advocates for student concerns. Each House Council includes:
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- SGA Senator
- 2 First-Year Representatives
- 2 Food Committee Representatives
Amongst the above positions, the president, vice president, treasurer, and senator are elected from returning students each spring for the following year. All other positions are elected in the fall and are open to all residents of the hall (including first-year students). Language houses each elect a president (and in some cases additional positions). Students in off-campus, College-leased housing are represented by an apartment council made up of a president and other elected representatives.
House Forum
House Forum serves as the student governance body for the residential system as a whole. This group, which consists of the president of each hall, one language house president, and the apartment council president, plans several traditional campus-wide events each year. Major events coordinated by House Forum include Policies for Dollars, Holiday Tea, the Roommate Game, and Airband. House Forum is advised by the director of residence life and led by a chairperson and associate chairperson who are selected during campus-wide elections each spring. House Forum Constitution
Residence Life Conduct Hearing Board
This board is a group of resident students who uphold community behavioral standards within the residential system. Board members hear select cases (and appeals) resulting from alleged misconduct by peers, determine if College policies were violated, and recommend consequences. The board is made up of seven elected members from various residential areas, an associate chairperson, and a chairperson. The board is advised by the director of residence life. Board members from specific residential areas also serve as ex officio, non-voting members of their House Councils. Students interested in this opportunity must have lived in Hood housing for at least two semesters and must be in good academic and judicial standing. Conduct Hearing Board Bylaws
Student-Staff Positions
A number of student-staff positions within the Office of Residence Life are available. Interested students are encouraged to speak with current staff members (RAs, area coordinators, etc.) to learn more about these roles. An application process occurs each spring and is publicized campus-wide. During this process staff is selected for the following year. Re-hire from year to year is subject to satisfactory job performance and continued need of the department.
Resident Assistants (RAs)
A total of eighteen RAs are employed in the traditional residence halls. While each RA is responsible for a specific floor or area, all RAs work as a team to serve the larger student community. RAs are available to students who have personal or academic concerns, are having problems with their roommates, or just need a helpful listening ear for advice, guidance, or referral. RAs also plan programs, disseminate information, and work to build a positive community in the residence halls by enforcing behavioral expectations. RAs serve in a duty rotation within their assigned building each evening. Each RA reports to an area coordinator.
Qualifications for the RA position include:
- 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA at the time of application
- Good judicial (disciplinary) standing
- Enrollment as a full-time, undergraduate student at Hood College
- Appreciation of diversity
- Sincere interest in working with other students
- Flexibility and a positive attitude
- Must have lived in Hood College housing for at least one semester by the date of hire (or have comparable, transferrable experience)
Compensation:
- Single room in assigned building
Head Resident Assistants (HRAs)
Two HRAs serve as lead staff members amongst the RA staff. In addition to fulfilling the same duties as an RA, HRAs are responsible for a variety of administrative tasks and provide an additional level of support to students beyond other members of the RA staff. HRAs assist area coordinators in advising House Council, facilitating hall meetings, and performing room inspections. Each HRA reports to an area coordinator.
Qualifications for the HRA position (beyond what is listed for the RA position, above) include:
- A minimum of one year (two semesters) prior experience as an RA.
- 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA at the time of application
Compensation:
- Single room with private bath OR Suite sharing a common bath (depending on placement)
- Meal plan
Apartment Resident Assistants (ARAs)
Three ARAs live amongst the College-leased, off-campus apartments and duplexes. These staff members provide the same support services to off-campus residents as RAs do in the residence halls. Rather than providing programming, however, ARAs work to foster an ongoing connection between off-campus students and the Hood campus through publicity of existing campus events and opportunities. ARAs also serve as liaisons between apartment management personnel and Hood students. ARAs do not serve in a duty rotation, rather they act in an on-call capacity, responding to resident questions and concerns as needed. ARAs report to an area coordinator.
Qualifications for the ARA position (beyond what is listed for the RA position, above) include:
- Sophomore standing or above at the time of hire (junior standing or above preferred)
Compensation:
- Double room in assigned apartment