This column has focused on mega councils dedicated to programming, cultural identities and commuter life. There is one last mega council, the Residence Hall Council, or RHC, that focuses on providing programming and events catered to residential students.
RHC is the foil to the Commuter Council. Whereas one focuses on events and opportunities for commuters, the other provides unique opportunities for the students who call the residence halls “home”.
Amy Hunter, the assistant director of residence life, serves as the advisor to RHC. She says that her favorite part of working with the club is learning the process.
“Not only do I guide the RHC members in decision making, but they are also teaching me about different aspects of campus and Residence Life. They are a breath of fresh air when searching for new ideas and ways to build community in the halls,” said Hunter.
Melissa Ooi, a sophomore biochemistry major, is Vice President of RHC. She first got involved because she heard it was beneficial for students interested in becoming RAs.
“After learning more about what RHC does involving student and residence life, I thought I was more suited to helping RAs from behind the scenes instead of becoming one. This led me to join the executive board,” said Ooi.
RHC hosts all kinds of events, from Pop Ups to Movie Nights. To begin the year, RHC hosted their annual Movie Night during Welcome Weekend. Students watched Monsters University in the JPAC and enjoyed snacks and free blankets, courtesy of RHC. Another campus favorite is Deck the Halls, a yearly door-decorating contest. Residents are welcome to decorate their doors in holiday garb for the chance to win a prize and be featured on the RHC Instagram.
One of the most common RHC events is Pop Ups. Whether in the Residence Hall or in the SUB, RHC loves to surprise students with unique opportunities. In the fall of 2023, RHC celebrated chocolate milkshake day by giving away chocolate and vanilla milkshakes and reusable straws in the SUB.
Since then, RHC has worked to get into the Residence Halls, hosting different, unique events for the different halls. Two distinct events include a pop up on the second floor of Evans Hall to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in September and a Gingerbread House Making Pop Up in Waller Hall.
Ooi said Pop Ups were her favorite events because, “…it’s always fun to randomly surprise the residents with food and a fun time.”
Despite all the fun events hosted by RHC, students don’t know much about the club. Hunter said she wishes students knew all the support that RHC makes available for them.
“RHC provides extra funding for our RAs to implement community programs within the residence halls. This allows all residents to partake in fun activities that are educational as well as recreational,” said Hunter.
As for Ooi, she said she wishes students knew that General Board meetings were open to the general public.
“They usually help the executive board come up with event ideas and help execute those plans,” said Ooi.
To get involved with RHC, you can email [email protected] for more information or follow them on Instagram @wilkes_rhc. In the meantime, you can join RHC for a Superbowl Pregame Giveaway on February 8 and a Lunar New Year Celebration with the Office of Global Engagement on Feb. 12.