According to the Michigan housing website approximately 10,000 students live in housing, approximately 30% of the University Population. Approximately 99% of Michigan students live in housing, and approximately half of that stay in housing stay the next year, half of that the next etc. It should be no wonder that the University works hard to provide countless resources for students in housing. Last night in our staff meeting we discussed a few of the programs that are created by out-of-residence-hall campus organizations, but run in collaboration with student representatives from each residence hall. Here are some of the resources we have this year:
Arts Ambassadors. This is a part of the larger "Arts At Michigan" initiative seeking to expose students to unique arts opportunities around Michigan. Ambassadors are chosen through an application process (deadline was last night, though late submissions may be accepted), of students currently living in the Residence Halls or other Living Communities. Ambassadors are unpaid volunteers, though they are given resources to direct students toward 'Arts' events, as well as a small budget to put on events themselves. Meetings are the first Wednesday every month from 6-8 pm. More information on the Ambassadors and the Arts at Michigan programs can be found here.
Planet BLUE Ambassador Program. This is apart of the larger Planet BLUE initiative, the initiative at Michigan to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly campus. The position, whose application deadline was back in mid-August, is a pilot position drawing off similar ideas at other campuses. Ambassadors participate in a one credit training course during the Fall & Winter semesters where they will learn best practices for environmentally friendly behavior, be connected to campus resources, learn leadership skills and connect to other ambassadors in the program. The program is for new and returning students, more information can be found here.
Pulse. This is a student-run, University Health Service (UHS) sponsored organization that promotes health and wellness across the residence halls. Pulse representatives are nominated by Residence Hall Staff and trained during the month of October. Pulse representatives plan events and provide resources to peers in their residence hall to help achieve health and wellness goals. More information about Pulse representatives can be found here.
Hall Council. Each residence hall at the University of Michigan has a Hall Council that plans academic, social, volunteer etc. activities. The councils completely student run and chosen at the beginning of the year. Funding for the councils comes from student dues as well as the central Residence Hall Association. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to try their hand at college government and make a difference in the local community. More information about the residence hall government may be found here. To see some of the things done by Hall Councils, take a look at the South Quad Hall Council Website (a personal project of mine years ago), which can be found here.
Multi-Cultural Council. Similar to above, each residence hall at the University of Michigan also has a multi-cultural council, though each council goes by a different name (e.g. South Quad Ambatana Multi-Cultural Council). These councils are all student run, and supervised the the Diversity Peer Educator (a student-staff member) in each building. Multi-cultural council members are chosen at the beginning of each year and spend the year putting on programs relating to issues of diversity, culture, social justice etc. Members do not have to be of a minority, all are encouraged to attend meetings. More information can be found here.
This morning Housing also announced a new set of exciting programs:
Culture & Language Programs. The University has announced three new programs for university housing residents. These include "Conversations Around the World" (a group that meets weekly to discuss cultural differences and similarities), "Explore Ann Arbor" (a group meets Monday afternoons to explore places and opportunities in Ann Arbor), and "Language and Culture Club for ids and Teens" (a group that meets Wednesday afternoons to either improve their English or practice a foreign language). More information on this is forthcoming, but you may contact Julia Fituch (jfituch@umich.edu) with questions or Laurie Nutt (louwsma@umich.edu) to volunteer.
The bottom line is that there are so many resources available to residents to help engage with the outside community. There are also so many opportunities to get involved with your passion on campus. Stay tuned for more info on residence hall resources, but for now, check these out!
Arts Ambassadors. This is a part of the larger "Arts At Michigan" initiative seeking to expose students to unique arts opportunities around Michigan. Ambassadors are chosen through an application process (deadline was last night, though late submissions may be accepted), of students currently living in the Residence Halls or other Living Communities. Ambassadors are unpaid volunteers, though they are given resources to direct students toward 'Arts' events, as well as a small budget to put on events themselves. Meetings are the first Wednesday every month from 6-8 pm. More information on the Ambassadors and the Arts at Michigan programs can be found here.
Planet BLUE Ambassador Program. This is apart of the larger Planet BLUE initiative, the initiative at Michigan to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly campus. The position, whose application deadline was back in mid-August, is a pilot position drawing off similar ideas at other campuses. Ambassadors participate in a one credit training course during the Fall & Winter semesters where they will learn best practices for environmentally friendly behavior, be connected to campus resources, learn leadership skills and connect to other ambassadors in the program. The program is for new and returning students, more information can be found here.
Pulse. This is a student-run, University Health Service (UHS) sponsored organization that promotes health and wellness across the residence halls. Pulse representatives are nominated by Residence Hall Staff and trained during the month of October. Pulse representatives plan events and provide resources to peers in their residence hall to help achieve health and wellness goals. More information about Pulse representatives can be found here.
Hall Council. Each residence hall at the University of Michigan has a Hall Council that plans academic, social, volunteer etc. activities. The councils completely student run and chosen at the beginning of the year. Funding for the councils comes from student dues as well as the central Residence Hall Association. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to try their hand at college government and make a difference in the local community. More information about the residence hall government may be found here. To see some of the things done by Hall Councils, take a look at the South Quad Hall Council Website (a personal project of mine years ago), which can be found here.
Multi-Cultural Council. Similar to above, each residence hall at the University of Michigan also has a multi-cultural council, though each council goes by a different name (e.g. South Quad Ambatana Multi-Cultural Council). These councils are all student run, and supervised the the Diversity Peer Educator (a student-staff member) in each building. Multi-cultural council members are chosen at the beginning of each year and spend the year putting on programs relating to issues of diversity, culture, social justice etc. Members do not have to be of a minority, all are encouraged to attend meetings. More information can be found here.
This morning Housing also announced a new set of exciting programs:
Culture & Language Programs. The University has announced three new programs for university housing residents. These include "Conversations Around the World" (a group that meets weekly to discuss cultural differences and similarities), "Explore Ann Arbor" (a group meets Monday afternoons to explore places and opportunities in Ann Arbor), and "Language and Culture Club for ids and Teens" (a group that meets Wednesday afternoons to either improve their English or practice a foreign language). More information on this is forthcoming, but you may contact Julia Fituch (jfituch@umich.edu) with questions or Laurie Nutt (louwsma@umich.edu) to volunteer.
The bottom line is that there are so many resources available to residents to help engage with the outside community. There are also so many opportunities to get involved with your passion on campus. Stay tuned for more info on residence hall resources, but for now, check these out!
