The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is the student governing body of the residence halls. The purpose of the organization, as stated in the RHA Constitution, is:

To provide the students living in the San Diego State University Residence Halls with a voice in determining activities, policies, and programs of the halls, where individual hall governments were established.

To provide greater unity, authority, and options for Residence Halls as a whole, to establish and maintain cooperation, communication, and authority between all halls, and to maintain consistent and constructive procedures in all hall matters relating to the Office of Residential Education and the Division of Students Affairs.

Everyone who lives in the residence halls is a part of RHA, but the RHA Council consists of an Executive Board, Program Council, and Hall Presidents Council. Hall Councils have separate budgets and elect chair members and Hall Presidents are interviewed for the position.

The Residence Hall Association’s primary focus is the residence halls. RHA works to build community within the halls, and provide a better living environment for the residents. RHA achieves this through programming and leadership development.

Even though RHA’s primary focus is the residence halls, RHA is also very involved in the San Diego State University campus community. The council recognizes the importance of being an active part of the community of which residents are a part of. Each executive board member has a seat on a different board or committee, including Associated Students, Aztec Shops Board of Directors, Housing and Community Redevelopment Advisory Board, and Cultural Arts and Special Events (CASE). RHA is also an active participant in the CASE sponsored Homecoming and Spring Fiesta activities. In Spring 2004, RHA took second place in the Homecoming Competition, the first time RHA has placed in a long time.

Another aspect of the organization is their commitment to community service. This year, RHA has participated in a variety of community service activities. In November, RHA purchased food to create complete Thanksgiving dinner baskets for families in need at the Jackie Robinson YMCA. Last February, as part of the Residential Education Office’s Week of Caring, the council made valentines for the children of the Polinsky Center.

The Residence Hall Association is part of the PACURH (Pacific Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls) region of NACURH (National Association of College and University Residence Halls). RHA attends three conferences hosted by these associations, at which they share the experiences of RHA at SDSU with RHAs from other schools across the country. RHA is working hard to put San Diego State’s RHA “back on the map.” By establishing ourselves at regional and national conferences, RHA has brought recognition to SDSU and shared our pride in San Diego State with the nation. This Summer RHA attended NACURH's National Leadership Conference at Syracuse University. Click here to see pictures and a summary of the conference.