ACPA Commission for Housing and Residential Life

For more than five and a half decades, the history of the Commission for Housing and Residential Life (CHRL) has been one of numerous and outstanding contributions to ACPA, to the residence life profession, and to thousands of students who have lived, studied, and matured in residential colleges and universities. The elected Directorate Body members of the Commission for Housing and Residential Life are critical to the leadership, success and advancement of CHRL, through representing ACPA and residence life constituents in the higher education field.  The Directorate Body member represents one of the largest of ACPA's commissions, and actively involves their constituents in meeting seven major objectives:

•To provide leadership to ACPA and the profession in general for student development in college residence halls.
•To identify issues of special concern and advise colleagues regarding these concerns through the support of research efforts, survey information, reports, position papers, and task force investigations.
•To communicate innovative ideas, special issues, problem resolution, and research information with a broad base of individuals throughout the country who are involved in residence education.
•To maintain a working relationship with other professional organizations, student associations, and other commissions, divisions, and agencies within ACPA that maintain similar or overlapping objectives.
•To cultivate professional development experiences through sponsoring and implementing convention programs and regional workshops.
•To assist in developing a set of professional standards for staff working in residence halls.
•To develop a plan and a process for evaluating the work and leadership of the commission.

Chair Elect

Term Specifics and Qualifications: 

  • The term of chair is four years; the first as chair-elect, the second and third as chair, and the fourth as past-chair  

  • Interested candidates must have actively served on the CHRL Directorate Body for at least three consecutive term years prior to election 

  • Attend meetings of Commission Chairs, including the July Leadership Meetings, along with other meetings at the annual Convention as scheduled by the Coordinator of Commissions 

  • Must have home institutional support for three year commitment, including but not limited to financial means to attend summer ACPA planning meetings, as well as the annual ACPA conventions for three consecutive years during term (four conventions) 

  • Due to the complexity of the Chair position, interested candidates cannot serve in another leadership role of any kind within ACPA during the time of appointment 

  • Interested candidates should have extensive knowledge within Housing and Residence Life with at least 7 years progressive experience within the residence life field, and significant contribution to the field of higher education through involvement within ACPA  

Leadership and Responsibilities: 

  • Assume leadership role as communications coordinator for the Commission to ensure timely, consistent, informative execution of the CHRL communications plan 

  • Identify the professional development needs of the membership 

  • In collaboration with current Directorate Body members, develop a comprehensive professional development plan the meets the identified needs of the Commission to be executed upon assumption of the Chair role. 

  • Assume the role of Chair at CHRL or Association meetings in the absence of the Chair and Past Chair. 

  • Other responsibilities as assigned by the Chair 

Chair

Leadership and Responsibilities 

  • Provide strategic leadership for CHRL  and serve as the main liaison and point person for the Directorate body when communicating with the membership, assembly, and International Office staff  

  • Establish the goals, direction, and vision for CHRL and monitor ongoing progress throughout term  

  • Align CHRL membership and directorate to ACPA’s strategic priorities and work to advance these priorities whenever possible 

  • Oversee the budget of CHRL and ensure that spending aligns with ethical practice within the field 

  • Oversee keys tasks in the growth and development of CHRL including nomination, election, awards, sponsored programs development, and oversee educational initiatives such as webinars, conferences etc.  

  • Coordinate and facilitate monthly conference calls with all directorate members and provide specific oversight and direction to CHRL vice-chairs including their appointment, training, initiative support 

  • Communicate appropriately with the directorate body and CHRL membership regarding the work of CHRL and ACPA 

  • Other responsibilities as assigned by the ACPA Coordinator for Commissions  

Past Chair 

Leadership and Responsibilities: 

  • Assume the role of Chair at CHRL or Association meetings in the absence of the Chair. 

  • Coordinate outreach efforts to state, regional, national and international entity groups outside of CHRL/ACPA. 

  • Lead the By-Laws working group (ad hoc); Review CHRL bylaws, as necessary, and recommend bylaw changes to be brought before the Commission membership 

  • Legacy project /  special projects as assigned by the Chair 

  • Coordinate commission assessment efforts in collaboration with IO 

  • Other responsibilities as assigned by the Chai

Directorate Board     

DB Board Application

Term Specifics and Qualifications:

  • The term of directorate body member is three years starting at the first national conference following election
  • Interested candidates must be actively working in the field of residence life and actively wish to represent the field in areas including operations, facilities, residence education, etc.
  • The ability to attend the four national conferences throughout their term and participate actively in regularly scheduled conference calls along with other meetings at the annual convention as scheduled by the CHRL Chair.
  • Must have home institutional support for three year commitment, including but not limited to financial means to attend the annual ACPA conventions for three consecutive years during term.
  • Interested candidates should have proven knowledge within Housing and Residence Life with plans to remain in the residence life field and progress as opportunity arises, as well as interest in making significant contribution to the field of higher education through involvement within ACPA.

Directorate Body Member

Leadership and Responsibilities:

  • Identify professional development needs of higher education professionals in the field of residence life and serve as a key representative of constituents to CHRL, and ACPA as a whole.
  • Participate in the planning professional development opportunities guided by ACPA professional competency areas as well as competencies specific to the housing and residential life field. Examples include: Advising and Leadership, Assessment, Learning and Development, Ethics and Legal Foundations, and Social Responsibility, Civic Engagement and Inclusion.
  • Support keys tasks in the growth and development of CHRL including nomination, election, awards, sponsored programs, website design, social media, and support the coordination of educational initiatives such as webinars, conferences etc.
  • Provide support to CHRL vice-chairs within their specific competency assignment; and as tenure develops within CHRL, provide progressive leadership and oversight including but not limited to the organization of CHRL tasks and assignments or the role of vice-chair itself.
  • Encourage participation and involvement on one’s own campus and throughout the field for the continued growth and development of CHRL and ACPA, specifically including the nomination of other qualified constituents for the continued growth of CHRL.
  • Actively participate in outreach efforts to state, regional, national and international entity groups outside of CHRL/ACPA.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned by CHRL leadership including the vice-chairs, chair elect, chair or past chair.