National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH)

About Us

The National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) is a service organization of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), which believes in the value of student involvement in all areas of on-campus life.  NRHH was established in 1964 to recognize outstanding student leaders within the residence hall systems on their campuses, in their regions, and nationally.  Now, there are over 200 NRHH chapters nationwide. NRHH is the only national organization that recognizes residential leaders.  Membership in NRHH is restricted to 1% of campus residents, so once inducted, members can consider themselves among the top 1% of residential leaders.

The chapter at Boise State University is the “Blue Gems.” We organize service projects, create recognition efforts, and provide leadership opportunities throughout the year. Some of these events have included a bi-annual “Roadside Cleanup” of a section of Boise Avenue, “Recognition Week,” and Of-the-Month awarding.

Chapter Membership

CANDIDATE

Candidate members are any student living in university-owned housing that expresses an interest in becoming an on-campus member of the Blue Gem Chapter and meets the Candidate Requirements:

• Has lived on-campus for at least one semester
• Has made a positive contribution to housing through service and recognition
• Is in good standing with academics and conduct at Boise State – GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Has to have at least one academic year remaining until graduation

Submit Interest for Membership

(coming soon)

ON-CAMPUS

On-Campus members are any student who lives in university-owned housing, has been inducted, and is active in the chapter. This is limited to 28 people (1% of on-campus residents). Required to:

• Attend at least 75% of membership meetings
• Help with a minimum of one NRHH recognition event for two hours
• Write at least two quality OTMs
• Serve for four service hours, one being an NRHH specific event
• Able to vote on chapter business
• Able to run for an Exec Board position

LIFELONG

Once inducted into the Blue Gem chapter, members remain members for life. Lifelong members are students who have graduated or discontinued their education while in good standing with the chapter.

• Welcome to stay in contact with the chapter and attend NRHH meetings
• No voting rights
• Can’t run for an Exec Board position

How to Write an OTM

What are OTMs?

• OTM = “Of The Month” Award
• 300-600 word month-specific essay written to recognize outstanding people and/or programs who went above and beyond during the specific month
• ANYONE can nominate
• General Categories: Advisor, bulletin board, custodial/maintenance, desk assistant, executive board member, first-year student, institution faculty/staff, office/hall assistant, organization, residence life professional staff, resident assistant, residential community, spotlight, student, student staff member
• Program Categories: Social program, passive program, educational program, diversity program

Due Date

Due the 5th of every following month (Ex. October OTMs are due Nov. 5th!)

Why write one?

• Recognize other people’s hard work. Recognize an event that had an impact on your housing experience. Recognize someone who deserves it!
• People feel special, validated and acknowledged when provided with recognition for what they have done, the impact they have made, or the general warm fuzzy’s they have helped spread across this campus.
• As the writer, you get an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction for doing something good for others (and the winner gets a cool certificate to display!)
• Your writing strength could help you land an award for your OTM within our region. Each month winning OTMs are sent to the regional level to compete against other schools!! 

Submit an OTM

How do I write one?

• Think of an exceptional person or program you’d like to nominate and reflect on why they should be recognized during the past month.
• Go to NACURH Submit and OTM
• In the top left-hand corner under “Submit OTMs” select either general category or program category
• OR before that step, login (create a login if you haven’t) so that all your OTMs are saved, and you won’t have to enter your info every time in the steps below because it saves it!
• Select “Boise State University”
• Fill out your information, your nominee’s information (only name, e-mail, and organization are necessary)
• Write a few month-specific paragraphs (300 to 600 words) on why they should be recognized, what you appreciate about them, etc. *more details and good writing = higher chance of your OTM winning*
• Hit submit. It’s that easy!