Every student is capable of leadership…
Leadership is a process that involves working with others to create positive change…
Leadership is grounded in shared values…
The future depends on your leadership.

The on-campus environment is a perfect place for students to practice community-based leadership, and learn the qualities necessary to be a citizen leader. The Department of Residence is committed to helping students learn about leadership, and their potential.

The Department of Residence strives to:

  • Educate students on the importance of leadership in their own lives
  • Help students develop confidence in their own abilities and skills in working with others
  • Assist students in developing self awareness
  • Help students understand their roles as citizen leaders

So that students will:

  • Feel empowered to make significant changes in their own lives and their own communities
  • Strive to make a difference in their communities, at Iowa State University, and in the world.
  • Enhance skills needed to be successful in future endeavors and live harmoniously in community.
  • Form lasting connections and friendships while learning to best utilize their resources.

Community-Based Leadership

A Community is something that emerges when a group of people:

  • Participate in common practices
  • Depend upon one another
  • Make decisions together
  • Identify themselves as part of something larger
  • Commit themselves to their own, one another’s and the group’s well-being

In ideal communities:

  • Everyone has a voice and a sense of efficacy; dialogue between community members is important and respect for others opinions is essential
  • Visions and decisions are made collectively
  • Elected officials listen to and act on advice from constituents.
  • Leadership means action, and issues can be addressed by anyone
  • The community grows through proactiveness

Citizen Leaders:

  • Work to stay informed of current issues and events, and think critically about how their communities are affected by them
  • Have a heightened self-awareness; they use their values as a guide to their decisions, and their strengths and limitations as a guide for their actions
  • Have an increased awareness of diversity and understand and appreciate the differences that surround them
  • Understand that they cannot act alone, and strive to build teams and groups that will help them take action
  • Are able to create visions and set goals for themselves and their communities
  • Work hard to communicate effectively. Their passion is expressed with clarity, conviction, and civility. They understand the importance of listening as well as expressing their thoughts
  • Believe in their fundamental responsibility to contribute to the well-being of others and the common good of society.

Leadership Opportunities

There are many opportunities for students to engage in leadership in the residence halls. Among them are:

House Cabinet

The House System is one of Iowa State’s great traditions and there are 149 houses in the residence halls. Each house elects a group of officers, called the Cabinet. The Cabinet takes the lead in developing house policies and initiating house activities relevant to the needs and interests of house members.

House Cabinet Resources

Residence Hall and Apartment Community Councils

Each residence hall and apartment community has a student government, typically comprised of an executive board and senate with representatives from each house / community.

Inter-Residence Hall Association

The Inter-Residence Hall Association (IRHA) is composed of representatives from each hall, four Student Government representatives, at-large representatives, and an executive council. IRHA allocates funds and implements a variety of programs to meet the needs and requests of students in the residence hall system. In addition, IRHA acts as the voice of residence hall students to the university administrative personnel concerning policies, proposals, and regulations. IRHA meets weekly throughout the academic year. Elections are held in the spring for the following school year with open seats being advertised each fall.

Frederiksen Court Community Council

The Frederiksen Court Community Council was created in December 2000. It is not affiliated with the IRHA. There is one representative from each cluster (group) of buildings, plus two At-Large representatives and one Student Government representative. From these representatives (all but the Student Government position), the Council selects its own Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The advisor to the FCCC is an Apartment Community Director. The Council meets weekly throughout the academic year. Elections are held in the spring for the following school year with open seats being advertised each fall. Since its inception, the Council has been an active group and has worked on many issues affecting the Frederisksen community. More information about the Frederiksen Court Community Council can be found at http://www.fccc.stuorg.iastate.edu/

SUV Council

SUV Council is the governing body for the Schilletter and University Village Apartments. The council consists of a Mayor, a chairperson, and representatives from University Village and Schilletter Village. The Mayor selects the Information Director, Treasurer, and the Family Advocate. The Family Advocate serves as a contact person for parents seeking information or needing a referral to specific agencies. The Council meets twice per month. SUV Council is an active governing body that helps bring improvements to the SUV community. SUV Council has helped oversee the garden plots each summer, has had active members on the playground and improvements committees, and has helped receive a grant to improve the Computer Lab. SUV Council also obtained a City of Ames Neighborhood Improvement Grant in 2000 and has planted flowers around each of the entrances to the community. For more information, please email apartments@iastate.edu.