HRC: THE ADVENT OF A NEW ERA, WHAT TO EXPECT?

 

Picture credit: Google.com

By Idowu Precious (Babosha)

The start of a new academic session often brings with it familiar routines: returning students, room allocations, newly elected executive teams, and various committees springing up. One of such committees is the newly constituted body of the Hall Representative Council (HRC). A body that now appears in the leadership structure, but one that still raises several important questions: What exactly is this council meant to do? Why does it exist now? And even more importantly, how is it different from the already existing Student Representative Council (SRC)?

For many residents, the creation of the HRC came without much fanfare. It merely came into being with an announcement and apparent formalization. While that in itself is not particularly due for questioning, the reality remains that a good number of students are still trying to understand its necessity. In an academic environment where structures are often layered and sometimes unduly duplicated, the need for clarity cannot be overemphasized.

Thus, the first question is simple: Why was the Hall Representative Council created? Was there a gap in representation that required filling? Was it in response to past concerns raised by residents? Was it introduced to improve participation or efficiency in the management of hall matters? Whatever the case may have been, the introduction of a new council should ideally be backed by a clear explanation, especially to the people it is meant to represent.

Next, comes the issue of differentiation. What sets the HRC apart from the SRC? This is not just a matter of assigning titles, it is more of one about function. The SRC is already a well-known structure within the University of Ibadan, with responsibilities that range from legislative duties to student welfare advocacy. So where exactly does the HRC fit into the already existing structure? Are their duties a sublet of the SRC? Do they operate at hall level only? Will they also be making decisions, or perhaps they are tilted more to the advisory duty? What is their relation with the Executive body of the hall? These are the kinds of questions that students (especially the hall residents) require answers to.

Another major question is the selection process. How were the members of the Hall Representative Council chosen? Were they elected? Appointed by existing leaders? Nominated? Understanding how individuals came into office is key to understanding how legitimate they would be regarded in the eyes of the people. Residents of the hall have a right to know who represents them and the qualifications possessed by said individuals that earned them their positions.

Transparency and accountability are two important principles that any leadership structure must uphold. If the Hall Representative Council is expected to carry out any form of representation, then residents should also know how to engage with them. How are they to communicate with this new body that has been created to represent them? After all, how would true representation of the residents be made if there is no communication between both bodies? Would regular meetings between the council and resident bodies be adopted? Or would there be an open channel where residents would lay their worries and needs to the council? As these are the kinds of structures that help residents know that their voices are being heard and that their representatives are accessible and working in their interest, we need to know.

Of course, the formation of the HRC is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it could be a very timely and strategic addition. With increasing hall accommodation struggles experienced by staylites and a range of student concerns to manage, stemming from maintenance issues to social engagement, there is no harm in having a dedicated group focused solely on hall-level advocacy. However, the benefits of such a body can only be realized if the roles are well defined, the representatives are active, and the communication with residents is open and ongoing.

It is also fair for everyone to consider the possibility that the council is still finding its feet. They are new to this and have no predecessors to look back to for guidance and as such, we have to be patient. Perhaps they are in a planning stage, laying groundwork, reviewing the new constitution under which they were formed, or determining their internal structure and its feasibility. These things take time, and it is reasonable to give them time to organize themselves. However, first impressions do matter. A short introduction to the council letting us know who they are, what they stand for, and what their immediate plans for us are would definitely go a long way in reassuring residents of their purpose.

The students want to know: What is to be expected from this newly formed council? Will they help resolve issues around water supply, power outages, and hall maintenance? Will they serve as a go-between for students and hall management? How do they plan on working with the Executive body and the SRC? Will they collect feedback and actively work on them or simply serve as yet another line of student leadership? If their duties overlap with that of the SRC, how will responsibilities be shared?

These questions are not being raised for the mere purpose of asking, they are genuine concerns from students who need to know who it is that speaks for them and how do they perform the speaking. They are raised for the sake of clarity. As such, we hope these requests would be considered.

It is also important to consider the balance of power and purpose. Representation is not just about occupying a position and getting assigned a title, it is more about service than anything else. Holding an office, especially one that bears the name “representative,” should come with the humility to serve and the willingness to listen.

If the Hall Representative Council is to succeed, it must commit to transparency, availability, and clarity from the beginning. Students are ready to support good leadership, a leadership that holds their best interests at heart.

We believe the emergence of the Hall Representative Council this session presents an opportunity. It has the potential to be a platform for real change, better communication, and stronger resident involvement in hall matters. However, that depends entirely on how the council defines itself and how it chooses to interact with those it represents.