Opportunities for Involvement
For incoming students who want to get involved early, there are a number of opportunities provided by the Office of Residential Life (as well as other departments such as Wilson Commons Student Activities and the Center for Community Engagement).
Incoming first-year students have the opportunity to be an EcoRep or a leadership ambassador. Incoming transfer students have the opportunity to be leadership ambassadors.
Both first years and transfer students can apply in their first year on campus to be RAs, fellows, or D’Lions for their next year when those application are available.
EcoReps
The First-Year EcoReps Program is a unique leadership opportunity that combines sustainability and residential life responsibilities. There are 20-30 first-year EcoReps distributed across residential halls. EcoReps participate in a 2-credit class, meeting for one hour twice a week, covering a broad range of interdisciplinary environmental topics. Throughout the course, students engage in debates and UN simulations, in addition to attending lectures given by Upper-Class EcoReps, professors, and community guest speakers. Classwork includes participation in one of three committees: the Community Engagement Committee, Garden Committee, and Zero Waste Committee. The course is taught by two coordinators who have previously completed the program.
EcoReps arrive on campus a few days before their fellow classmates for a Pre-Orientation program. Pre-Orientation is a fun and interactive experience that allows First-Year EcoReps to learn more about the sustainability initiatives on campus through tailored presentations given by the sustainability office and dining team. EcoReps also gets the opportunity to embark on a field trip to learn more about the local ÂÒÂ×Ç¿¼é environment.
A major component of being an EcoRep includes participation in Residential Life. Along with RAs, First-Year Fellows, and D’Lions, EcoReps play a crucial leadership role within residential halls by being the go-to sustainability resource. Ecoreps educates their hallmates about sustainability through collaborative hall programs and bulletin boards
First-year EcoRep applications tend to open in early May. Please check the for more information about the program and the . After you submit an application, the EcoRep Coordinators will contact you to conduct an interview. Feel free to reach out to urecoreps@gmail.com with any questions.
Leadership Ambassador
Leadership ambassadors are representatives from each residential area that serve not only their area but also on the Residential Hall Association (RHA). Each leadership ambassador team is dedicated to enhancing the community and the resident’s experience.
Each group of leadership ambassadors work to build community through intentional programming efforts. They also act as an advocate on behalf of the hall to improve the living conditions in their community. Finally, each council actively recognizes the residents in their hall who participate and contribute to the success of the community.
If you have any questions about becoming a leadership ambassador or would like to apply please contact leadershipga@ur.rochester.edu.
Residential Hall Association
The serves to represent residence halls and all on-campus students by developing leaders and maintaining an inclusive community through co-sponsorship, student recognition, and additional support services. We work closely with the leadership ambassadors and the Special Interest Housing organizations.
We promote and support advocacy within residential life organizations to improve the quality of the undergraduate residential experience.
We work with residential life to ensure standardization and efficiency of processes between residential life and residential life organizations.
