Last Updated: March 5th
Please note that this page is a “living” webpage that is updated and reformatted to reflect the most relevant information. Information that is less relevant is moved to an accordion section at the end of this page. If you have any questions, please reach out to rha-president@housing.gatech.edu.
The Residence Hall Association is gearing up to bring on new student leaders that are interested in making a difference in their residential community, leading the second-largest student organization, and becoming the next generational leader. If you are interested, please read below to learn more about what RHA anticipates as well as some options to better prepare yourself for this election.
❗Information for Candidates
Thank you for applying! We are so happy about your enthusiasm to serve the residents! Here’s what we need from you:
- All presentation materials should be emailed to rha-president@housing.gatech.edu by the deadline shown in the timeline below.
- We recommend that candidates dress professionally for elections, but it is not required.
- Be present for both election dinners and arrive in a timely manner
- Reminder: Campaigning is not allowed; your platform and presentation are standalone and any outside campaigning or attempting to sway votes will result in disqualification.
Please reach out to rha-president@housing.gatech.edu with any questions that you have. Good luck with elections!
⏰ Election Timeline
This is the timeline we are looking to run. Please be knowledgeable of these deadlines as this timeline will be strictly enforced.
- 2/7-2/27: Application for the Executive Board is live.
- 2/16: Online (but recorded) Information Session
- 3/3 @11:59pm: Application for the Executive Board closes
- 3/8 @8am: Candidate Information Page is published.
- 3/6-3/9: Platform Reviews
- 3/9 @8am: Candidates are required to submit materials for Election Night.
- 3/10 5:30-9:30pm: Election Dinner #1
- 3/16 5:30-9:30pm: Election Dinner #2
- 3/31: Beginning of turnover process starting with swearing in and a bonding dinner/night activity.
🗳 Election Dinner & Process
Ponko Chicken will be provided for Election night #1. Dinner #2 TBD
Dinner service will begin at 5:30 with an introduction from the RHA Executive Board. The first candidate will begin at 5:40.
We recommend that candidates dress professionally. Each candidate will have a total of 13 minutes to present their election platforms with the following timing breakdown:
- 5 minutes platform review per candidate per position prior to presentations
- 8 minutes for platform presentations (other candidates will be out of the room)
- 5 minutes for Q&A (other candidates will be out of the room)
- 8 minutes discussion per position (all candidates out of the room)
- Results will be announced after each position.
After all candidates (for a given position) present their platforms, there will be 8 minutes of discussions among the voting representatives and then 3 minutes of voting time. The elected candidate will be announced the same night when votes are counted.
Voting Representatives
Only Area Council Officers or their delegated substitutes will be allowed to vote. Voters who are running for a position may not vote in the election for that position. Please email rha-president@housing.gatech.edu if you plan to make a delegate substitution and make sure both the ACO and the substitute delegate are included in the thread.
🔊 Platform Reviews
Due to a timeline change, the schedule no longer allows for platform reviews to be completed. In order to maintain a thorough and equitable election process, platforms will be posted as soon as conduct checks have been completed. Time has been built in on election night to review applicant platforms prior to the candidate presentations.
In the spirit of hosting a thorough and equitable election, voting representatives (Area Council Officers and substitute delegates) will be required to submit platform reviews. These platform reviews are simply to ensure that voting representatives spend a fair amount of time assessing each candidate and are prepared for effective conversation come election night. During platform reviews, voting representatives will be looking solely at your application and any attached materials.
Platform Reviews will be verified in anticipation of election night, so please have these submitted cordially. All ACOs will receive information regarding how to submit platform reviews. Substitute delegates can request platform review materials from rha-president@housing.gatech.edu.
For ACOs with candidates running for a position, a platform review for that candidate will not be necessary. Substitute delegates must submit platform reviews for all candidates.
Previously Relevant Information (Collapsed 3/5) ▼
🏆 Positions and Compensation
All positions for next year are up for election! Compensation is provided as a GT Housing rent exemption at the start of each semester, when you would normally pay dues. This compensation is pay-scaled, and the amounts are calculated as percentages of rent. All positions also receive free housing in the summer semester, should they choose to live on-campus (which is encouraged).
- Executive President – 100% of rent
- Director of Development (DOD) – 60% of rent
- Director of Administration (DOA) – 60% of rent
- Director of Communication (DOC) – 40% of rent
- Director of Finance (DOF) – 40% of rent
- Director of Programming (DOP) – 40% of rent
Each position’s duties, expectations, and compensation for FY24 are outlined in this document.
Additionally, you can read about the current board here. Feel free to reach out to have a conversation if you want additional context!
📝 Application
The application is now closed.
The application is available now! We are hosting the application on Qualtrics, which does save your responses to some extent, but we recommend using our application worksheet.
Bidding Down: You can apply for a maximum of two positions, but you will only be permitted one application. You can apply for a second position, but you may only run for a second position if it is lower in the gavel order than your primary position (see the gavel order above).
🤓 Information Sessions (Thursday 2/16 12:30-1:30pm)
Information regarding compensation, benefits, tips for essays/presentations, how to prepare for election night, and the election process will be discussed in the upcoming Information Session! If you cannot make this Information Session, a recorded version can be accessed here.