Join the Common Ground Collective!
The Common Ground Collective is an informal union of various campus departments including the Ethnic & Gender Programs, Diversity Initiatives, International Education Center, Student Special Services, and The Well. Members include a variety of staff members, current students, and alumni who are passionate about community building, diversity training, and social justice education. Yearly Common Ground Programs include the following:
Common Ground Retreat
This unique leadership retreat experience brings students from varied backgrounds together to define points of connection to one another and develop collective responses to issues affecting them at UCR. Students explore, define and strengthen relationships with each other and the campus community. Emphasis is placed on building community and establishing positive working relationships, while creating joint projects and promoting continued collective work.
This year’s Common Ground Retreat is scheduled for October 5-7, 2012. If you are interested in attending please fill out the NEW Participant Application by Friday, August 31st. You will be notified by Friday, September 14, if you were selected as a common ground participant by the review committee.
Past attendees, who are currently enrolled, are welcome to apply for a student facilitator position. If you have attended a previous retreat, and are interested in becoming a facilitator please fill out the RETURNING Student Facilitator Application by Friday, May 25th. You will be notified of your selection after all applications have been reviewed. Selected students will serve on the planning committee and must be available for meeting during the summer. Finally, please be prepared to attend mandatory facilitator trainings prior to the retreat.
Please contact Marcela Ramirez at 951-827-7233 or email marcela.ramirez@ucr.edu if you have any questions or need more information.
Building Our Common Ground Workshops
During Highlander Orientation all incoming students participate in community building activities facilitated by members of the Common Ground Collective. Student facilitators serve as representatives for the Highlander Community and are active participants in the “Building Our Common Ground” Workshop during Highlander Orientation.
Student facilitators lead peer-to-peer discussions following the exercise, with additional support from professional staff. The student facilitator’s role during the activity and discussion is to:
- Create positive peer-to-peer interactions for incoming students.
- Facilitate understanding and insight into the complexities of diversity
- Focus on the nature of building relationships and establishing community
If you are interested in becoming a facilitator next summer, please contact Marcela Ramirez at 951-827-7233 or email marcela.ramirez@ucr.edu