SWACURH

Hey SWACURH!

Welcome to the South West Affiliate of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls! SWACURH includes the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and the country of Mexico. SWACURH's mission is to better life within the residence halls and all on campus residents. As a part of SWACURH, you are a member of an even greater national organization that holds life in the residence halls as an important part of every student's college career. This year marks our regions 30th anniversary as an affiliate of NACURH.

SWACURH is comprised of students who participate in sharing resources and ideas by attending conferences and communicating with each other through extensive networks, such as email listservs and forums that facilitate idea sharing. Each school elects one student to be its representative as the National Communication Coordinator (NCC). This person prepares delegations to attend regional and national conferences, as well as carries the voting rights for their school in all business meetings. These meetings, which are usually held during conferences, NCCs have the opportunity to discuss and decide on awards, legislation, and electing the group of students that lead the organization, the Regional Board of Directors.

Currently, there are approximately 25 member schools within SWACURH, and we're always looking for more! These member schools get the opportunity to meet each other three times a year at regional and national conferences. At these conferences, students and advisors have the opportunity to go to programming sessions that are presented by mostly students. The benefit of so many students presenting programs is that the presenters gain experience in public speaking and a better understanding of what they present. The students who attend the programs learn about what other schools within the area are doing at other schools, and how they can bring it back to their campuses. Program topics range from leadership, diversity, and personal development, and many others!

Conferences are hosted and planned by a SWACURH member school, allowing students to get experience planning and organizing large events and being challenged with such an amazing leadership opportunity. Communication is a key factor within SWACURH. The Regional Board of Directors uses many different ways to communicate to our member schools. Each NCC is encouraged to join the Regional email listserv as well as post on the NACURH Forum. In addition, there are listservs for Presidents, NRHH members, Advisors, and even Alumni! Another way we communicate to our member schools is through the Ducky Digest, our regional newsletter that comes out four times a year! Within the Ducky Digest, one will find information about upcoming events, as well as ways that you can improve life on your campus. Recognition is accomplished through awards and the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). SWACURH has many awards recognizing students, advisors as well as student organizations. NRHH is a service of both SWACURH and NACURH, as an honor society for student leaders in the residence halls. Each chapter of NRHH is allowed a membership of 1% of their schools total on-campus population or 20 members, whichever is higher. NRHH chapters also serve their schools by engaging in both community service and recognition programming. Most notably, NRHH is the sponsor of the Of-The-Month (OTM) program. Each school, whether they have an affiliated chapter of NRHH or not, has the opportunity to nominate students and organizations on their campuses in various OTM categories. Some categories include: RA, Student, Executive Board member, Advisor, Social, and Educational Program. These awards are a way for us to recognize all the hard work that our member schools put into their chapters. In addition to deciding these awards on the regional level, each OTM is submitted nationally for consideration for a National Of The Month award. NACURH is an amazing organization that is totally student run.

As an affiliate of SWACURH and NACURH, students get the opportunity to learn business skills, as well as gain a sense of community within the world. When students graduate after having participated in SWACURH, they take with them not only leadership skills, but memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. I am honored to serve you as director, and look forward to hearing your suggestions, ideas, and questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me!

Ducky Love,

Mitchell Misek

SWACURH

Regional Director