Involvement and
Leadership Opportunities
Welcome to Middle Earth!
By choosing to live in a residence hall, you are increasing your opportunities for getting the most out of your UCI experience. Living on campus supports academic success by giving you convenient access to classes and campus resources and by providing a living environment that is focused on learning and personal growth. Research indicates that students who live on campus are more likely to complete their education. Participating in extra-curricular activities in college is also shown to support graduation rates. Getting involved is also FUN, and a great way to make friends. Here in Middle Earth, you can put your extra-curricular time to good use by taking part in some of the many activities and special programs offered to our residents. No matter what your particular interests are, you are bound to find something that will quench your thirst for new experiences and support your personal growth outside the classroom. Getting involved gives you the chance to help shape the community that you live in! The ways and means are there—all it takes is your readiness to try something new. So check out your opportunities below!
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Programs and Activities
Middle Earth student and professional staff organize more than 600 programs throughout the course of the academic year. Events typically begin on move-in day in September and continue until move-out day in June. The staff work with residents to present programs that facilitate your transition and success at the University.
Past programs have included:
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Academic Classes
Several classes are offered in the Middle Earth community. These classes focus on six topics or cluster themes and supplement UCI's general curriculum. Classes are open to all Middle Earth residents, but residents of the sponsoring halls have priority for enrollment. Each class is taught by staff from the UCI Counseling Center with assistance from the Resident Advisors of the halls. The classes do award elective credit upon completion. Come to the Middle Earth Housing Office at the beginning of the quarter to get information about the times and locations of the classes. Classes are held in Gandalf's Classroom located next to the Residential Dining Office.
Hall Classes Include:
- Academic Success
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Career Exploration
- Diversity
- Health and Wellness
- Ethics and Values
Involvement and Employment Opportunities
Middle Earth residents help keep our community running smoothly in a wide variety of jobs -- some paid, some voluntary. By serving in your community, you can help ensure that the needs of our diverse population are understood and adequately met.
Involvement Opportunities Include:
- Community Council - the governing body that represents the student community. Meetings are held the Wednesday of each even week in the quarter (week 2,4,6, etc.). Community Council is made up of six executive members:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Activities Committee Chair
- Newsletter Editor
- Service Committee Chair
- Community Council Committees
- Newsletter Committe - Creates the Hobbit's Tale (the community newsletter) which is published three times a quarter.
- Activities Committee- Plans and implements six programs each quarter, half occur on the weeknd.
- Services Committee - Plans and implements three service projects each quarter.
- Hall Delegates - representatives are elected in each hall and represent their hall at Community Council meetings.
In addition, Student staff are key contributors to the day-to-day operations of the complex. The 70+ student employees in Middle Earth learn more about the "business of student housing", gain valuable work experience, and earn salaries or stipends. Most positions are filled during spring quarter for the following academic year. Continuing students are given preference for most positions, but some positions are available for freshmen in September. Hours are flexible and are arranged around each student's academic schedule. The wages and time requirements vary. Contact the Middle Earth Housing Office for more information.
Employment opportunities include:
- Resident Advisors (RAs) - These students have successfully completed extensive selection and training programs. Their primary role is to work with you as a peer advisor to make your stay in on-campus housing a positive living/learning experience. Applications are available in November for the following year. There is one RA per residence hall. Remuneration is room and board.
- Community Programmers - The "CPs" are responsible for developing and implementing events and programs for the entire Middle Earth community. They provide educational, multicultural, and social programs and work with the RAs, Community Council and the Brandywine Student Center (BSC) Manager to co-sponsor large scale events. CPs work closely with the Programs Advisor in developing programs for the Middle Earth community. Training will be in the spring and summer. Pay is $320 per month. Hours are approximately 8-10 per week.
- Programs Advisor - Generally a seasoned programmer or student leader, the Programs Advisor is the student supervisor of the Community Programmers. This position offers a fun, yet challenging, opportunity for the student looking for a leadership role. Responsibilities include programmer hiring and training, program development and implementation, budget maintenance and liaison with other student staffs. Training will be in the spring and late summer. Pay is $430 per month. Hours are approximately 10-12 per week.
- Community Council President - Generally an experienced student leader or Council person. The President is the student advisor to the Middle Earth Community Council Executive Board. Responsibilities include working with hall officers, community service programming and regular "Coffee House" programs. The President also meets with the BSC Manager and the CP staff weekly to discuss current trends within the Middle Earth community. This is a great way for students to gain leadership skills. Training takes place during spring and late summer. Pay is $410 per month. Hours are approximately 10 per week.
- Community Council Executive Board - The Community Council Executive Board is committed to promoting community living through advocacy, programming and services. This team works directly with Community Council members and closely with the CPs. These leadership roles have proven to be both challenging and rewarding. President, Vice-President, Secretary, Activity Chair, Newsletter Editor, and Services Chair positions are available on the Executive Board. Training takes place during spring and late summer. Pay is $358 per month. These positions are required to live incomplex and must pay for their own room and board. Hours are approximately 8-10 per week.
- Community Council Hall Delegates - Officers and representatives are elected in each hall to help plan activities and to represent the hall on the Middle Earth Community Council. This is a volunteer position working approximately 3 hours per week.
- Student Housing Office Assistants - The Student Office Assistants work in the Middle Earth Housing Office answering phones, attending to student inquiries, distributing mail and packages, processing work orders, issuing temporary key check-outs, and assisting office staff with projects. This position requires good customer service and organizational skills. Training will be in early September. Pay is $8.01 per hour, with hours ranging from 6-10 per week.
- Brandywine Student Center Manager - Generally an experienced Brandywine staff member, the manager oversees the Brandywine Student Center and Helm's Deep. Pay is $639 per month with an average of 17 hours per week.
- Brandywine Student Center Attendants - Attendants are hired based on their specific skills and knowledge related to the Brandywine Student Center. This position requires the ability to work well with others as well as independently. Attendants assist the BSC Manager with programs and events sponsored in the Brandywine Student Center. Training takes place during the summer. Pay is $7.45 per hour with an average of 5-10 hours per week.
- Brandywine Commons/Pippin Commons - Various food service positions available throughout the year, contact the manager for details.
Applications for all positions are available in the Middle Earth Housing Office in mid-February. If you have any questions regarding any of the listed positions, please go to that office for assistance.
updated: 4/22/07
