Associated Residence Halls (ARH) is an organization that serves as the governing body for on campus residence halls and housing while establishing a voice for student residents. ARH frames their mission with the “three C’s”: change, connect, and community.

Ryan McFadden, resident education coordinator and ARH advisor of seven years, says that “connecting” begins with engagement. UI’s housing system holds approximately 6,000 students in the halls. 85 percent are first-year students and the rest are upperclassmen.

“What we really want to do regarding those first-year students, especially during those first six weeks or just through their time here, is to help them find a community—find new purposes at the university,” says McFadden.

ARH focuses on making necessary changes to policies and procedures by embracing new ideas in an effort to improve the housing structure. Whether it be implementing recycling bins in all the rooms, hosting Casino Night during Homecoming, or changing the flavor of the chicken wing sauce in the dining halls through the creation of a dining committee— ARH strives for positive initiatives within the Hawkeye community.

Recently, Stanley Hall experienced renovations in three floors, Slater received new bathrooms, Currier witnessed new decorations and furniture, Hillcrest Marketplace expanded and rebuilt its salad bar, and Burge Marketplace was updated with a burrito bar.

Along with those changes, ARH incorporates professional and leadership development opportunities for students involved. Through their regional and national involvement with the largest non-profit student organization in the world, the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), ARH members receive the opportunity to work with other schools during training retreats.

“Truthfully, when we go to these regional conferences, we’re sitting next to UNI and ISU,” says McFadden. “They’re our best friends out there and we work together as the three Iowa schools. We enjoy hearing their ideas.”

The primary board of directors consists of 10 leaders in areas of executive, fundraising and financials, local and national marketing and communications, program planning, diversity, and campus-focused positions. These students work to coordinate things like campaigns, block parties, banquets, trips, and other traditional events held for students.

“It’s hard work, but they’re learning about and understanding business and working with outside professionals,” says McFadden.