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An Introduction to the Area Councils

Enhancing residential life at Northwestern

Living on campus at Northwestern provides students with unique opportunities to engage with their residential 

communities. One of the ways students can get involved is through the Area Councils. These student-led organizations play an essential role in shaping the residential experience by planning activities, promoting community engagement and developing leadership skills among participants.

What Are Area Councils?

Area Councils are student-led organizations dedicated to fostering leadership and community development within Northwestern’s four residential areas, residence halls and residential colleges. These councils are advised by Residential Services staff and are responsible for planning and hosting programs that enhance the residential experience.

• Southwest Area – 710 Emerson, 720 Emerson, 1856 Orrington, Chapin, Foster-Walker, North Mid-Quads, South Mid-Quads, Willard
• South Area – 626/636/640 Emerson, 1838 Chicago, 1871 Orrington, Allison, East and West Fairchild, Hobart, Jones, Rogers, and Shepard
• Northeast Area – 2303 Sheridan, 2307 Sheridan, 2313 Sheridan, Ayers, Bobb, Goodrich, Lindgren, McCulloch, Sargent, Slivka
• North Area – 584 Lincoln, 2347 Sheridan, 2349 Sheridan, Elder, Kemper, Schapiro Hall

What Do Area Councils Do?

Each Area Council is responsible for engaging residents through various social and recreational programs  like Pumpkin Patches and Chicago Bulls games, while promoting a sense of community aligned with their area’s unique identity.

Responsibilities include:

• Event Planning – Organizing social and recreational programs to bring students together.
• Resident Engagement – Encouraging student participation in the planning process to create meaningful experiences.
• Affinity Building – Strengthening community bonds and fostering a shared identity among residents.
• Leadership Development – Providing students with leadership opportunities using the Northwestern Leadership Framework.

A Growing Tradition

The Area Council system is still relatively new, with its inaugural year in 2022-2023. Now in its fourth year, these councils continue to expand their influence and refine their roles in shaping the on-campus residential experience.

Leadership and Commitment

Students who are elected to serve on an Area Council participate in onboarding sessions throughout the spring and summer before officially beginning their roles in the fall. This process ensures that incoming officers are well-prepared to lead and contribute effectively throughout the academic year.

Get Involved

For students passionate about leadership, community engagement, and event planning, serving on an Area Council is a great opportunity to make a lasting impact on their residential community. Interested students should reach out to rick.cazzatojr@northwestern.edu.