When Mount St. Joseph students think of Residence Hall Council, they probably think of bingo in 5/3rd Dining Hall.
Generous prizes come to mind, like gift cards for Visa, streaming services, and restaurants. Every bingo boasts a unique set of themed baskets curated by RHC members for students to win as well; some might be filled with snacks, much-needed school supplies, or other college essentials. There are holiday baskets, and baskets appropriate for the season. Even more lavish than the baskets, the grand prize at bingo features anything from a minifridge, Nintendo Switch, and headphones, to a coffee bar.
RHC’s monthly bingos consistently fill the Dining Hall. (In January, bingo was attended by over 130 students!) Students enjoy the music (2000s pop hits), prizes, snacks and drinks (the Baja Blast always goes first), and, most importantly, the community. While bingo might be the most well-known RHC event, it is only part of Residence Hall Council’s activity on campus.
Residence Hall Council is a student organization that focuses on creating events and programs on campus to help students build new relationships, achieve academic success, and become active leaders within the Mount community.
President Megan Beeler describes the impact and appeal of RHC. It pulls students out of their comfort zones by offering activities and chances to get involved in on campus. Being part of the club also provides countless leadership opportunities for members with its low-stress commitment. The club provides valuable experience for members while supporting the Mount community.
I joined RHC the spring semester of 2025. I wanted to find more involvement on campus, so I talked to Theo Schulte at the semester club fair, who recommended the organization. That semester, I began attending RHC meetings, helped set up and clean up events, and offered my input and ideas. I joined the community. I hoped to find an opportunity to build helpful skills and contribute positively to campus, and RHC has helped me achieve these goals semester after semester. Now, I assist the club as vice president in all its activities.
RHC is led by a group of students who cooperate to provide meaningful events for the student body of Mount St. Joseph. Like every club, RHC has an executive board of students. Megan Beeler serves as the club’s president, overseeing meetings and guiding the organization in everything it does. Alyssa Meyer is the club’s treasurer, and Alex Wilhoit is the secretary. Angel Snider is RHC’s marketing officer. I fill the vice president’s role. Beyond the executive board, many other students participate and contribute as general members. Without each of these contributions, the club wouldn’t function successfully.
But what does the club do?
Besides monthly bingos, RHC plans several events each semester. RHC has done Craft Nights, with art supplies, painting, bracelet making, coloring, clay, music and more. In the past, the club has arranged Rec Nights in Harrington Fieldhouse, with games and activities. This fall, RHC assisted with the dorm trick-or-treating event, distributing candy to rooms that signed up and having members stationed across the building with candy too. The club has even brought in food trucks for students.
For Family Weekend, RHC contributes a special Family Weekend bingo. (RHC organizes a yearly Student Organization Bingo to help promote other clubs and across campus too). RHC also participates in Spring Fest. Last year at Spring Fest, RHC catered Raising Cane’s and hired Foster Foodies (which offered a variety of loaded fries for students) for the event. RHC brought in the band While Away and offered a raffle to win gift cards. If students frequently go to events on campus, there’s a good chance they’ve been to something by RHC that wasn’t just bingo.
In order to properly brainstorm and plan these events, RHC meets biweekly for an hour. Behind the scenes, we decide which events to put on, what supplies we will need and how to get them. This organization is vital to making these activities a reality, but meetings aren’t dull. Over the year, members of RHC get to know each other, and a community forms.
Beyond meetings, setting up RHC events not only creates an opportunity for the larger Mount community to participate in a fun event, but it also is a chance for RHC members to cooperate and bond over a common task and goal. Going to Target to pick up event supplies could seem tedious, but it is enjoyable to do so alongside fellow members of the Mount community. These necessary behind-the-scenes efforts keep the club running smoothly and result in a stronger club spirit while facilitating campus activities.
This semester, RHC has several upcoming events. Craft Night will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26, with a variety of relaxing activities for students to engage with, and the next bingo will be held Thursday, Feb. 12. And when Springfest rolls around, be sure to find RHC at the event! Every semester, Residence Hall Council continues to have a positive effect on campus, from bingo to beyond!