School's out...and so are we

The Spring 2013 semester comes to a close today at UMBC, so we're taking a Blogger hiatus for the summer. Be sure to check in occasionaly over the next few months for important updates on Housing Tours, Orientation, Commuter Retreat, Welcome Week, and more! Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook- we post important and timely information here too!

Time to turn tassles

The UMBC community will celebrate the commencement of our graduate and undergraduate students this week. Tomorrow, graduate students will gather with their friends and family in the Retriever Activities Center(RAC) at 10am. Information on seating, accessibility and parking is all available here.

UMBC undergraduates will receive their diplomas off-campus at 1st Mariner Arena at 1pm on Thursday. Information regarding transportation and parking is available online.  To take public transportation from UMBC, hop on the 35 from Poplar Ave. Visit the MTA website for more information on this route.

OCSS wishes a special congratulations to our graduating Commuter Assistants, Gabby Albotra and Phillip McLaughlin! Best wishes for a bright future to all those walking in this week's ceremonies!

If you have specific questions regarding the Graduate School Commencement ceremony, contact Lisa Morgan in the Graduate School at 410-455-8142 or limorgan@umbc.edu.  For Undergraduate Commencement, specific questions can be addressed to 410-455-5897 or ejohnso@umbc.edu.

Almost there!

Only two more days of final exams to get through UMBC! Do you need to take a study break? Relax and Snack is happening through May 22. Get the information below, or on myUMBC.

Relax and Snack

(A space to clear your mind & fill your stomach during finals)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 10 AM - Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 5 PM
The Commons: The Mosaic Center

“Need a place to do some last minute studying? Or to clear your mind after a tough test? Come to the Office of Student Life's Mosaic Center to RELAX AND SNACK! Come indulge in a peaceful environment and some tasty treats.”

Weekend update

With final exams well underway, things are coming to a close here at UMBC.  But you can still catch a couple things happening over the weekend. Check it out here, or on myUMBC.
 
Saturday, May 18

TEXTBOOK BUYBACK
"The Bookstore pays up to 50% of the retail price for textbooks. It's an easy way to score some summer cash. Plus all buyback customers receive a coupon for 30% off UMBC clothing and logo items.  "
Noon-3pm
  

ROCK'N'ROLL HIGH SCHOOL" (FEATURING THE RAMONES)

"WMBC's Punk radio show (SHORTER FASTER LOUDER) is hosting... the movie, "ROCK'N'ROLL HIGH SCHOOL" (Featuring The Ramoes)... "

6pm-9pm

Maryland passes in-state tuition for military veterans

Effective Oct. 2013, Maryland will offer in-state tuition for all military veterans. To learn more about it, read House Bill 935; click here. If you need assistance with what this legislation means for you specifically, contact our office at 410.455.2770, or by email at ocss@umbc.edu.  You can also contact the Registrar's Office by calling 410.455.2500, or requesting help here.

Happy Study Day, UMBC!

Don't get stressed!

Tuesday is Study Day here at UMBC, and that means the Final Exam schedule starts Wednesday.  After working hard all semester, and studying for the big tests to come this week, you need to take a moment to relax and de-stress. According to this Feb. 2013 article from Time, relaxation prior to test time can help facilitate optimal performance- whereas test anxiety can lead to students' achieving under  their ability levels. So if you've been diligently reviewing notes and re-reading chapters, take advantage of some of these upcoming opportunities to unwind in the next couple of days...

Study Day Celebration

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 10 AM- 12 Noon
Commuter Lounge (Commons Suite 1A02)

Join OCSS for a complimentary, continental breakfast on Wednesday morning. Kick-off study day with some nourishment, then unwind with fellow commuters in the lounge. Like some subtle distractions while you work? Our comfy couches are a great place to spend the day with your laptop! 

Relax and Snack

(A space to clear your mind & fill your stomach during finals)
 
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 10 AM - Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 5 PM
The Commons:  The Mosaic Center
 
“Need a place to do some last minute studying? Or to clear your mind after a tough test? Come to the Office of Student LIfe's Mosaic Center to RELAX AND SNACK! Come indulge in a peaceful environment and some tasty treats.” 

GWST COM's Second Annual Puppy Picnic

(Fun. Food. Puppies.)
 
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 · 11 AM - 2 PM
The Quad

"Sponsored by GWST and supported by SGA, we will help you take a break from finals by petting some puppies and eating. If you have dogs, feel free to bring them to meet our puppy pals for the afternoon!"
 

Stress Free Zone

(Take a bite out of stress at SGA's Stress Free Zone!)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 · 1 PM - 2 PM
On Campus

“Come to this semester's Shark Week themed Stress Free Zone, from 10AM- 3PM during May 15th-17th in the Student Orgs Space! We'll have free food (including sandwiches and wraps) and free t-shirts! Plus we'll have the UMBC Gaming Club playing some amazing board games and the Peer Health Educators here to teach you how to manage your stress levels. We'll have a massage therapist here on 5/16 from 11 AM to 1 PM and an acupuncturist here on TBD.
 
Co-Sponsored by SGA this semester in collaboration with Stress Free Zone are:

• Puppy Picnic (5/15, 11-2): Come get a bite and play with some puppies on the quad! Sponsored by The Gender & Women's Studies Department and SGA!
• Paws to Relax (5/16, 11-2): Come de-stress during finals and play with some pooches from Karma Dogs! Sponsored by UMBC Counseling Center, Active Minds, and SGA!”

Yoga with Camille in the Women's Center

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 · 5 PM - 6 PM
On Campus : Women's Center, Commons 004

“Join the Yoga Club for some mediation and healthy stretching in the Women's Center. The Women's Center has some yoga mats to share with participants who may not have their own. First come first serve. Be sure to arrive a few minutes early to make sure there's space for you!”

Guided Meditation Hour

Stressed before finals? Join us for a Guided Meditation.

Friday, May 17, 2013 · Noon - 1 PM
Student Development and Success Center : 117

"Are you feeling stressed before finals? On Friday, May 17th, from 12-1pm, stop by the Counseling Center to join Dr. Bruce Herman, director of the Counseling Center, for an hour of Guided Meditation. No sign-up or registration required!"

 
 
Still think you need more time with the books? Some studies show that listening to music can help your brain process information. Try  this half-hour,concentration mix from Youtube...
 

 

Best of Luck to All  Students on Your Final Exams!

 

Get cash for books

Textbooks related to your major course of study can be worth holding onto, but if you've purchased a text you won't have use for again, consider selling it back to the UMBC Bookstore.

When you sell your textbook back to the Bookstore, you can receive up to 50% of the cost of the book new: in cash! You can log in here to find out what your books are worth.  Better act fast though-- buy-back is on now and running through May 23. See the schedule below for a list of times that buy-back is offered...

Monday, May 13- 9:00am to 3:30pm
Tuesday, May 14- 9:00am to 3:30pm

Wednesday, May 15- 9:00am to 3:30pm

Thursday, May 16- 9:00am to 6:30pm

Friday, May 17- 9:00am to 3:30pm

Saturday, May 18- 12:00pm to 3:00pm

Monday, May 20- 9:00am to 6:30pm

Tuesday, May 21- 9:00am to 6:30pm

Wednesday, May 22- 9:00am to 6:30pm

Thursday, May 23- 9:00am to 3:30pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Image: http://bookstore.umbc.edu/home.aspx)

Weekend update

Looking for something to do on campus this weekend? Check out the Community Events on myUMBC. The campus is hosting a wide variety of events Friday night through Sunday afternoon. We've listed events; visit myUMBC for specific information regarding times and meeting places.

Friday, May 10

UMBC'S 1st Annual Poetry Slam

Featuring ML Fuchhi, musical guests Ashlei Gray and Meetcramer

(seb) Weekly Movie: Identity Thief

Come out to the LH1 to watch the Identity Thief

Spring Dance Showcase

Department of Dance presents the annual Spring Dance Showcase

(seb) Foam Party Friday

A foam party in the Erickson Field

Saturday, May 11

(seb) Six Flags Bus Trip

Home of the tallest and fastest roller coaster in North America-- tickets are only $35.

Caravan to Poor Peoples Campaign and March (2013): TO DC

Reclaim Dr. King Jr's dream during this historic year

Money Power Day

Volunteers Needed- A Free Financial Fitness Fair, the Baltimore CASH Campaign is recruiting for Money Power Day volunteers

Campus Wide Stream Clean-Up!

Come clean up our on-campus stream

(seb) Breakfast & Bingo

Our last Breakfast & Bingo before the summer

(seb) Weekly Movie: Identity Thief

Last Weekly Movie Series film screening before the summer

Spring Dance Showcase

The Department of Dance presents the annual Spring Dance Showcase

Sunday, May 12

This Moroccan Life: An Original Social Justice Play

 

 

Roommate Social tomorrow

Looking for someone to live off-campus with? Join OCSS tomorrow in Flat Tuesdays for a meet and greet Roommate Social. Get all the details on our Facebook events page. A complimentary lunch will be served.

Can't make it tomorrow, but still need to find a roommate for the fall semester? Check out our Online Roommate Finder. Here you can search for a roommate by entering specific criteria that a potential roommate must meet to be compatible... no criteria? No problem! You can also run a generalized search and see who's out there looking.

This site is also a great place to find off-campus housing; you can search listings by city or perform an advance search. If you are still searching for housing, you'll want to check out some of our quick tips on off-campus living... including information about signing a lease and which apartments are along the UMBC shuttle bus route.

Two weeks out

With just two weeks remaining in the spring 2013 semester, have you connected with OCSS and your fellow commuters?

Last day to purchase May MTA bus pass

Going once...
Today is the final day of May MTA monthly bus pass sales. Bus passes are available at our office until 5pm. To purchase a bus pass, you must use your campus Red Card. Monthly passes cost $39 at our office-- a significant savings over the regular MTA price!

Summer Schedule
Will you need a bus pass for the coming summer months? We have you covered! See the schedule to the left for June, July, and August sales.

How to travel
Need help determining your route to campus? Check out the UMBC Transit web page for routes and schedules. You can also the location  of several lines and the UMBC campus Wave 'N Ride line with the UMBC Transit Tracker. 

Like OCSS!

OCSS has a new Facebook page! "Like" us here!

Why like us? If you're already on Facebook, this is a quick and easy way to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events from our office.

Already attend our events? Great! You can check out event photos on our Facebook page too! Maybe you've already made an appearance in our online photo album... go there now and find out!

Are you a member of Commuter Connections or Transfer Student Network Facebook groups? Do you "Like" Good Morning Commuters Facebook page? Well now is the time to update your network and "Like" the OCSS Facebook page. On Monday, May 27, these other OCSS Facebook mediums will close, and the information found there will be migrated to our NEW office page. In case you missed it, that's: www.facebook.com/UMBCOffCampusStudentServices/

About our office

Information for Commuters, Transfers, and Veterans

Are you looking for information related to commuters, transfers, or veterans at UMBC? Then Off-Campus Student Services is the place to be! Our office is located on the first floor of the Commons building next to the Bookstore. Our email is ocss@umbc.edu and our phone number is 410-455-2770.

What do we do?

1) Advocacy and Education - We advocate for the inclusion of commuters, transfers, and veterans in University life and educate students on developmental topics related to these populations.

 

2) Commuter Connection - We provide an outreach program for students who commute to campus, including connecting them to on and off-campus resources.

 

3) Transfer Student Network - We host a mentoring and social program connecting transfer students to one another and to resources.

 

4) Vets2Vets - We work with students on an outreach program for veterans of the US military, providing a social and academic connection for these students.

 

5) Transportation - We sell Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) bus passes at a discounted rate for UMBC students and also provide help with getting to campus using public transportation.

 

6) Off-Campus Housing - We provide housing listings for students living off-campus, as well as roommate-matching services and education on appropriate off-campus behavior.

 

Learn more about us on our Website, here.