Community Hall Government Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a hall government and what do they do?
A: The Government exists to represent the residents of the hall within the residence hall community and beyond.
Q: How and when is your hall government chosen?
A: Hall government members are elected by current Community Hall residents in April and learn the duties of their position from the previous officer for the next school year. Positions that remain unfilled are elected at the beginning of the next school year.
Q: How can I get in contact with someone on your hall government?
A: Contact the Community Residential Education Director at (509) 335-6158.
Q: What activities does Wilmer-Davis Hall have during the year?
A: All residents are encouraged to submit ideas or put on their own programs, while activities such as a Holiday Party in December, serenades to the male residence halls, craft programs, educational programs, exercise programs, movie nights, game-day get-togethers with our brother hall (currently Stimson Hall) all occur periodically throughout the year.
Q: What government positions are available at the floor/house level and how can I get involved?
A: Elected positions consist of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Chair, Public Relations, RHA Representatives (2), Intramural Chair, and Floor Reps (3). The Social Chair exists to manage the activities calendar, and to maintain contact with our brother hall; the Public Relations officer’s primary duty is to make signs and promote events within the hall; RHA reps attend all RHA meetings and increase our hall’s presence on campus by relaying information about our hall’s events and by bringing information back to our hall about other events on campus; the Intramural Chair organizes groups to participate in intramural sports; a Floor rep is chosen from each floor or zone to attend government meetings and relay information back to residents on her floor.
All members of the government put on at least one program each semester. Another involvement opportunity is the Community Assistant program. Women in this program assist the RA on their floor in putting up bulletin boards, knowing the community standards and helping to keep order on the floor, as well as accompanying their RA on late night rounds through the halls to make sure people are safe and following the rules. The CA program teaches those women interested in becoming RA’s what it takes and how to apply for a position.
Q: On what does the government spend my $25 each semester?
A: Your $25 is used to fund a variety of programs throughout the year, including intramural sports, events with Stimson Hall, movies nights, and other activities occurring throughout campus.
Q: What hall equipment items are available for Community Hall Residents?
A: Community Hall has one kitchen with various cooking necessities and encourages the women who live there to cook if not regularly, at least occasionally. Microwaves are also placed on most of the floors in the hall. Also, in the lobby there is a large TV with a VCR and DVD player and another TV with a VCR and DVD are located in the basement TV room. There are various places to study in the hall outside your own private room, including the Quiet Study off the laundry room, the lobby, and the Squeaky room. The hall has one living room-style lobby, and the Squeaky Room in the basement also contains a newly refurbished pool table with equipment. The hall has 2 pianos, one grand piano in the lobby and an upright in the basement; each piano is available until 9pm to play or practice on. The hall also has a fireplace in the lobby. The hall has a bike room to store your bike indoors and an ice machine.
Q: When do the hall and floor governments meet?
A: Hall government meets Thursdays at 5:00pm in the Main Lobby. Floor meetings are arranged by the RA on that floor and tend to meet at least once every month. All hall meetings usually occur only once at the beginning of each year, but may be held more often if there is a pressing issue concerning all members of the hall.
Q: Does Community Hall provide any leadership training for people interested in becoming involved?
A: Community Hall government plans training and leadership development opportunities for the government members and the residents of Community throughout the year. If you are interested in these leadership opportunities, ask your RA, or contact the Residential Education Director at (509) 335-6158.
Q: I understand Community Hall receives funds to reduce hall damages. Tell me more about the program and on what such money can be spent.
A: Community tends to incur little damage from the women who live there because of the pride its women take in Community’s character and history. The money allotted to the hall for “Hall Improvement” covers these damages. If damages do not occur hall improvement funds are used to provide items to improve the hall as a whole, such as kitchen equipment, a new TV and DVD player, new microwaves, new vacuums, etc. Attend a government meeting if you have an idea for an improvement that could be made and how to go about getting it done.