Middle Earth
Residence Hall History
and Descriptions
Middle Earth houses approximately 1,690 students in 24 residence halls. The names of the halls and other facilities were selected from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The halls are divided into six clusters or theme areas of four halls and offer classes associated with their names.
Middle Earth was built in three phases:
- Phase I opened in 1974 with seven (7) halls: Hobbiton, Isengard, Lorien, Mirkwood, Misty Mountain, Rivendell, and The Shire. Brandywine Commons, and Brandywine Student Center (BSC) are also in Middle Earth.
- Phase II opened in 1989-90 and it includes 13 halls: Balin, Harrowdale, Whispering Wood, Woodhall, Calmindon, Grey Havens, Aldor, Rohan, Gondolin, Snowbourn, Elrond, Shadowfax, and Quenya. Phase II also includes Pippin Dining Commons, the housing office, and Bucklebury Library.
- Phase III opened in Fall 2000 and includes four (4) halls: Crickhollow, Evenstar, Oakenshield, and Valimar. Arkenstone, a 24-hour academic resource and study center, officially opened in fall of 2007.
Each residence hall houses between 45-75 residents. Most rooms are double occupancy; however, Quenya has 60 single rooms and there are some tripled rooms in the Phase II and Phase III halls. Rooms are fully furnished with beds, wardrobes, desks, bookcases, and chairs. With the exception of Rivendell (an all-women's hall), each hall is co-ed. Halls are divided into five suites consisting of five to seven rooms and one or two bathrooms. Both single-sex and co-ed suites are available. In co-ed suites, separate bathrooms are provided for men and women. Residents may request either single-sex or co-ed suites.
Each hall contains a main living room with a TV, a small kitchen, and laundry facilities. A Resident Advisor (RA) is assigned to each hall. The RA is responsible for overseeing the hall and is available to assist and guide residents in their transition to university life. Telephone service is available in each room. Residents can contact AT&T to have a phone line activated. Internet and cable TV connections are available in all rooms. Residents can use the ResNet network to access e-mail, connect to UCInet (the campus backbone), and use the Internet.
Gender Neutral Housing - *NEW FOR 2009-2010*
Middle Earth is in the process of developing gender-neutral housing options for residents. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Matt Luna in the Middle Earth Housing Office at (949) 824-5976.
First Year Experience Program
Middle Earth’s halls are divided into six theme areas. There is an academic class and thematic programming with each cluster theme. Students in the cluster have priority for signing up for the classes; however, all programs are open to Middle Earth residents. While participation in the class and in theme programs is optional, we believe that involvement in them will offer the best living and learning experience. Cluster programs and classes provide opportunities to assist students with the transition to residence hall life, as well as educate on issues that will enhance students’ academic and personal success.Student Staff Role
Each cluster has a programming team comprised of the four Resident Advisors that make up the cluster, one Community Programmer, and one Community Council Executive Board member. The cluster teams will intentionally provide active and engaging programs for Middle Earth residents. Each programming team meets regularly with a professional staff member (First Year Experience Coordinator).
There are two cluster classes offered each quarter, for a total of six classes offered during the academic year. Resident Advisors have the opportunity to TA for the class offered for their cluster. The cluster classes that are offered are: Keys to Academic Success in Postsecondary Education, Exploring Interpersonal Relationships, Exploring Issues of Culture and Diversity, Health Leaders Certificate Class, What Matters?: Philosophy of Life, and Civic and Community Engagement.
Changing the Future Through Education - Misty Mountain
The Careers in Teaching and Education Hall is for first-year students who are interested in the field of teaching (P-12) and education (i.e., counseling, administration). In partnership with the Department of Education and the Teachers of Tomorrow Club, residents will take part in quarterly programming such as advisement sessions on the pathway to teaching and workshops with local teachers and faculty. Residents can participate in a progressive for-credit in-hall class that provides a unique opportunity to explore educational issues, develop leadership skills, learn about local educational resources, and interact with the community through volunteering. All majors are encouraged to apply. For more information, check out the UC Irvine Department of Education's Web site at: www.gse.uci.edu. Sponsored by the Department of Education.
Exploring Study Abroad - Lorien
Living in this community, students will discover the world beyond the United States. Residents will have contact with students, faculty, and staff who are living examples of how study abroad can expand one’s knowledge and appreciation of other nations, peoples, and cultures. As a result of living abroad, students become better prepared to enter today’s workforce and become more informed private citizens. Students in this community will discover the importance of going abroad, learn how to prepare for the experience, and learn how to do it while graduating on time. A fellow Anteater studying abroad says: “This is one of those rare milestones that separate the first half of your life...from everything that follows.” For more information on study abroad options, check out the Center for International Education's Web site at www.cie.uci.edu.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) - Hobbiton
Living in this community will introduce you to the many research and creative opportunities available to you at UC Irvine under the guidance of world-renowned faculty. Conducting a research or creative project has become an integral component of the undergraduate experience at UC Irvine. There are many benefits to participating in the research process that will prepare you for a successful career. You will also be introduced to off-campus opportunities with outside agencies including national laboratories, industrial partners, and other universities. Join this fun environment, discover your interests and passions, and interact closely with faculty, student researchers, and members of the UROP team. For more information about UROP, please visit www.urop.uci.edu.
Academic and Career Options
(Quenya, Hobbiton, Elrond, Calmindon)
This cluster focuses on issues related to career development and academic interests. Programs will encourage students to explore various majors, personal interests, job-seeking strategies, and support and guide access to resources that support development of academic interests. The cluster team will assist residents in making the connection between academic interests and future career options.
Health and Safety Strategies
(Oakenshield, Rohan, Mirkwood, Woodhall)
This cluster focuses on issues promoting health and safety among students. This cluster will intentionally provide programs that promote peer to peer discussion around the following topics: nutrition, fitness, personal and academic balance, stress management, personal and sexual health, and transition issues.
Intellectual Competence
(The Shire, Gondolin, Evenstar, and Shadowfax)
This cluster focuses on academic success and intellectual skill development. Programs highlight first-year students’ academic transition issues, study and test-taking skills, and navigating campus resources. The cluster team will program around the following objectives: increase faculty interaction, develop and utilize effective learning strategies/study tools, develop a peer-based intellectual community, refine research skills, increase technological training, and develop on-going relationship with an academic advisor/mentor.
Interpersonal Relationships
(Valimar, Balin, Aldor, Lorien)
This cluster focuses on issues that impact our relationships with friends, family and significant others. Cluster programs will be interactive and highlight interpersonal skills, gender issues, diversity, dating issues, and factors that influence social relationships. Another focus for this cluster is to have our residents understand what it means to be a responsible and contributing member of the campus community.
Involvement in Civic and Campus Life
(Misty Mountain, Crickhollow, Snowbourn, Whispering Wood)
This cluster focuses on promoting leadership skills through involvement in civic and campus activities. The cluster team will present programs and lead discussions on the following topics: conflict mediation, communication skills, ethical behavior, how to navigate the university environment and practice skills for living in a community, become aware of and participate in on-campus service projects, and how to best utilize campus curricular and co-curricular resources.
Personal Identity and Philosophy
(Rivendell, Harrowdale, Grey Havens, Isengard)
This cluster focuses on issues affecting individual identity development and how ones personal values shape ones decision making. Programs in this cluster will encourage our residents to explore issues of diversity, self-awareness, personal ethics, personal goals, value clarification, life skill competencies, and how one’s individual worldview affects others.
The Middle Earth theme was selected in 1976 by the first residents of the community. Names for the seven Phase I halls were chosen from J.R.R. Tolkien's book, The Hobbit. Then, a committee of students and staff researched and recommended the names for the Phase II buildings from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Here are the definitions of the hall names.
| Aldor | The third King of Rohan, from 2570-2645 Third Age. |
| Balin | A great and noble dwarf of the House of Durin. One of the 13 dwarves who accompanied Bilbo Baggins on his journey in The Hobbit. |
| Brandywine | A translation of the Hobbit's (jesting) name for the river BARANDUIN ("Golden-brown-[large]-river") which formed the natural eastward defense of the Shire. |
| Bucklebury | The chief village of Buckland, near Buck Hill. The Bucklebury Ferry plied across the Brandywine between the village and the Marish of the Eastfarthing. |
| Calmindon | The "Light Tower" on Tol Vinen. |
| Crickhollow | Crickhollow is a small country village located north of Buckleberry. |
Elrond |
(Half-elven) Bearer of the Great Ring, Vilya, mightiest of the three. Master of Rivendell. |
| Evenstar | Evening Star was the most beloved of the Elves. She showed strenght and wisdom and pursued balance and happiness. |
| Gondolin | "Hidden Rock". One of the foremost Elven cities. Translates literally to "Hill-of-Stone-and-Song." Described as the "Hidden City." |
| Grey Havens | The Havens of Mithlond, founded by Noldor in the Year I Second Age, as the chief harbor of the Eldar in Middle Earth. |
| Harrowdale | The high vale in the northern White Mountains, above which lay Dunharrow, the most ancient stronghold in Rohan. |
| Hobbiton | One of the older villages of the Shire. It sprawled around the hill of Hobbiton near the Pool of Bywater in the Westfarthing. |
| Isengard | One of the mightiest fortifications of Middle-earth. The Ring of Isengard was a huge rock-wall, roughly circular in shape which enclosed a shallow valley. |
| Lorien | The oldest of all names for the Golden Wood. It is a Silvan (i.e. Wood-elven) word, and its original meaning has not been recorded. |
| Mirkwood | A rendering of the Grey-elven Taur e-Ndaedlos (literally, "Forest of Great Fear"). The mightiest surviving forest of western Middle-earth. |
| Misty Mountain[s] | A rendering of the Grey-elven Hith Aiglir (literally, "Mist Peaks"). The greatest of all mountain ranges in western Middle Earth. |
| Oakenshield | Thorin Oakenshield's grandfather was a very important king. He died attempting to restore peace and harmony to his people. |
| Pelennor Field[s] | "Enclosed lands" The site of the greatest battle of the Third Age. |
| Pippin [Took] | (Peregin Took) The 32nd Thain of the Shire. One of the most notable Hobbits of his day. A member of the Fellowship of the Ring. |
| Quenya | "The Speech." The oldest of all recorded languages of elves, and thus all people. |
| Rivendell | A translation of the Sindarin name Imladris (literally, "Deep-Cloven-Valley" or "Deep Dale of the Cleft"). The name of the dwelling of Master Elrond in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. |
| Rohan | "Land of Horses" Wide and spacious realm, known for its horses, which lay north of Gondor, upon the further side of the White Mountains. |
| Shadowfax | The name given in Rohan to the chief of the Mearas, Prince of the Horses. Bearer of Gandalf the Grey in the War of the Rings. |
| Shire | A translation of the Hobbit-word Sûza, the name given among western Hobbits to the region which was approximately the area between the river Brandywine and the Emyn Beraid (Tower Hills). |
| Snowbourn | A river of eastern Rohan. It rose in Harrowdale and flowed northwards as far as the hill of Edoras. |
| Whispering Wood | Oakwook at the front end of Ered Nimrais. |
| Woodhall | A village in the Eastfarthing of the Shire, at the north eastern corner of Woody End. |
| Valimar | "Home of the Valar." Those who live in Valimar have angelic powers and were responsible for creating Middle Earth. They're known for having little sense of evil. |
From: The Tolkien Companion, Tyler,
J.E.A. The Shaping of Middle-earth, Tolkien, J.R.R.
