Bus pass sales start again!

Hey there Commuters!

Time flies fast. With that in mind we are about to reach the end of yet another month, and for all of you MTA commuters it’s time to put $39 on your UMBC Red Card!

Because as promised, Off-Campus Student Services is bringing you monthly MTA passes right on the campus. With a discounted price of only $39, OCSS helps you save $25 off the regular price.

And once purchased you are all set for an entire month!

The MTA pass can only be purchased with your UMBC Campus (Red) Card. To pay with your UMBC Campus Card you will need to load your money on the card using a Campus Card machine. There are plenty of places to find campus card machines. Another convenient way is to go to the Commons Information Center (CIC) and someone there will do it for you!

So Commuters! Let’s not delay anymore, come and get your buss pass from Off-Campus Student Services. For all of you who do not know the location of our office we are right by the bookstore!

-Safa Zahangir

Four Weeks In!

Here we are, four weeks into the semester.  Exams are starting up, the weather is cooling down, and most of us are ready for the semester to be over. 

I get it.  It's hard; you have no time for all the clubs you wanted to join at Involvementfest, it's getting harder and harder to coordinate schedules with friends, and you've already missed two assignments.  Being a UMBC student is no walk through the breezeway; or, for commuters, it's no drive in the fast lane.

My advice?  Re-evaluate your schedule!  Look for those awkward gaps where you're on campus for three straight hours and think of how you can use them better.  How can you use your drive home more efficiently?  You could use that time to plan your day or to mentally review material from class.  Or to sing really loudly.  Your choice.  A half-hour ride on the bus could be a great study time for your language class.

The point is, think intentionally about the habits you are forming.  Ask the questions; are they beneficial; efficient; awesome?

So, since you all have so much more free time now, I'm sure that you can make it to our Transfer Student Network Workshops happening within the next couple weeks!

They are all on Wednesday at Free Hour (12:00-1:00)

• Sep. 25: How to Conduct a Career and Internship Search
• Sondheim 103
• Oct 2: Study Skills and Campus Resources for Research
• UC Ballroom Lounge
• Oct 9: Retriever Ready Celebration!
• Lower Flat Tuesdays

Hope to see you there!

-Tom Belliveau

Meet Christian

Hey everyone, I'm Christian Oyson and I'm a sophomore at UMBC. I am one of the many new Commuter Assistants for OCSS as well as a returning member for the Good Morning Commuter Breakfast. Throughout my UMBC career, I've been a commuter, I've traveled by Metro Bus in the past and now I am currently carpooling to campus. I guess you can say I am a true UMBC Commuter. You might have seen me in the past with GMC. That's because for the past year, I've been a volunteer with OCSS, helping them prepare, execute, and clean up the GMC event every Tuesday. I did this because I thought it would be a way for me to get involved at UMBC, and now I have returned once more to help OCSS and GMC, this time as an official Commuter Assistant.

Recently I've switched majors from Computer Science to Information Systems. It's going well so far and I'm actually excited to see what the Information System career will have for me in the future. As a member of Good Morning Commuters, it's our job to make sure you guys are connected throughout UMBC with its vast resources, departments and clubs to help you get involved and forge your place here at UMBC. In addition we also serve a diverse range of breakfast foods. From the standard bagels and doughnuts, to the delicious taste of bacon, eggs, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and more. Believe me, there's a plethora of food that will make you keep coming back for more.

If you haven't done so already, come to our GMC Events every Tuesday at the Commons Main St. or Commuter Lounge from 8:30am to 10:30am. You'll need your Gold Card to get in to get access to the breakfast. If you don't have one, no worries, it's $5 for the card and it lasts the entire school year. In addition to the yearly breakfast, you'll have a 50% discount in the Game Room (3-6pm Monday to Fridays) as well as 1 free SEB Movie Ticket. If you ask me, it's something I think you'll want to have.

Anyways, if you want to stop by and say hi, I'm at the OCSS Desk on Monday from 10am - 12pm and Tuesday from 12pm - 1pm, and the Good Morning Commuter Breakfast on Tuesday from 8:30am - 10:30am. I can help you out with anything related to UMBC, as well as anything you're looking for outside from UMBC from shops to restaurants. Or if you wanna have a good social chat, I'm always up for it.

GMC: Every Tuesday at 8:30am

Swing by The Commons Main Street every Tuesday morning, from 8:30am to 10:30am, for some coffee and bagels. It's complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card. Here you can meet new people, express commuter concerns, and learn about the latest events and activities at UMBC.  

Don't have a commuter Gold Card? No problem! You can purchase one for just $5 at any GMC breakfast. Gold Cards include an added perk of 1/2 price game play in the Gameroom weekdays 3-6pm.

Meet Tiffany!

Hi all!

My name is Tiffany Cook and this is my second year working in the OCSS office. I am one of the few returning CAs and if you have ever stopped by the office or have been to one of our OCSS events, you have probably seen this face...

                                                                                                    ...this face is my face... 

I am a junior currently majoring in Mathematics with an Elementary Education focus. I am a proud family member of the Sherman Scholars (STEP 5). I've been commuting since my first semester here at UMBC as a freshman, so I would like to say I know how it feels to be a commuter. The struggles of mid-day parking, the frustration of rush hour traffic, the search for a quiet place to take a nap on campus.... I've been there, I'm still there.. But try and focus on the many perks of being a commuter.

What I do here in Off-Campus Student Services is to help ensure that you, as commuters, understand that you are an important part of the UMBC community. When I am at the desk I cater to your needs and when I'm in the office I'm planning fun events just for you! I work specifically under the Commuter Connections team. We plan a themed event once a month, on a Friday, during free hour, usually in Lower Flat Tuesdays. These events come equipped with free food, games, prizes, and lots of resources to help you feel more welcome. We want you here! That being said.... Our next event is OktoberFEAST on October 18th, 2013... Save the date and come out and see what we have planned for you!

Aside from my title here at UMBC, I love just hanging out with my friends. There is nothing I like to do more in this world than laugh and smile. If you ever want to test out your corny jokes on someone, I'm your girl! Most likely I will respond back with a joke.

I work Tuesdays 1:00-4:00pm, Thursdays 1:00-3:00pm, and Fridays 10:00-3:00pm.
So stop by if you have any questions or would like to just say hi :)

Shuttle Tour for World Car Free Day

Take a tour with us to explore Transit Services!

Friday, September 20, 2013 · 1 PM - 1:51 PM

On Campus

---

World Car Free Day is September 22nd. Let's celebrate by exploring alternative transportation at UMBC! If you haven't tried Transit Services yet, join us for a tour and tutorial. Meet us in the Commuter Lounge next to the bookstore and the OCSS office at 1:00pm. We'll board the Halethorpe Shuttle at the Park Rd/Commons Dr bus shelter at 1:30. The Halethorpe Shuttle will return to the same location at 1:51. Boarding Transit shuttles is always free for the UMBC campus community.

Free drink, snack, and giveaways! 

Meet Marissa

Hi everyone, my name is Marissa! I'm a Senior, a Graphic Design major and Print Media minor, and a Linehan Scholar. 

I've been working at OCSS since January 2013 as the office's Graphic Designer. You can find me around the Commuter Lounge and at the information desk Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Outside of the office you can find me working on Bartleby, UMBC's Creative Arts Journal, serving as the Senior Managing Editor. I love reading, and my most recent favorite reads have been Inferno by Dan Brown and The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith/J.K. Rowling. While studying abroad in Florence this summer, I was able to check out all the places that Dan Brown wrote about in Inferno while I was reading it! 

Meet Poulomi

Hi, my name is Poulomi Banerjee and I am a sophomore at UMBC. I am a new Commuter Assistant for the Good Morning Commuters Breakfast every Tuesday through OCSS! I actually have never commuted since being at UMBC, but I think that with my other job on campus, it will be great to be able to spend more time with a different population of campus to figure out the needs and wants of those students.

I have just recently switched to a double major in Health Administration and Public Policy focusing on Public Health and Gender & Women Studies with a possible minor in Writing. I was a Teen Ambassador of the Domestic Violence Center as an intern under the Community Outreach Director my senior year in high school, and I’d love to take on a position like that working with Domestic Violence prevention and promoting equality between men and women.

I also work as an Event Programmer at the Student Events Board or otherwise known as (seb)! With that job, I plan a lot of different type of events to bring the student of UMBC together to have fun and take a break from classes! Along with being in (seb) and being a part of OCSS, I am also a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma! Within the chapter, I hold the position of Diversity Chair.

I am often found running around campus going from point A to point B, but I’m always willing to stop and have a conversation! 

Weekend at UMBC

Check out what's happening on campus this weekend...

Saturday, September 14, 2013

8 AM to 9 PM (seb) Ocean City Bus Trip

SOCIAL · Off Campus · Come to the beach for a last chance to soak up the sun before the semester picks up! Tickets are $15 and are on sale now at the CIC.

10 AM to 5 PM Spectrum 2013 Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition

PERFORMANCE/EXHIBIT · Center for Art Design and Visual Culture· The Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture presents  Spectrum,  a Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition organized by the CADVC and featuring work by six faculty from UMBC’s...

7 PM to 10:30 PM UMBC Gospel Choir presents IGNITE

internalize-God-nite

OTHER · Fine Arts · Come and ignite the fall semester with a night of praise and worship! Featuring Stevenson and Towson Gospel Choirs, Thomas Clay, GB, ANQ, and much more!

9 PM to 11:59 PM (seb) Weekly Movie: Iron Man 3

SOCIAL · Lecture Hall 1: Biological Sciences · Come out Thursday at 9 pm, Friday at 8 pm, or Saturday at 8 pm to see Iron Man 3!  Tickets for the Thursday and Friday showings are $2 and available at the CIC....

Sunday, September 15, 2013

1 PM to 3 PM (seb) Football & Wings- Ravens vs. Browns
SOCIAL · The Commons : Sports Zone · Come out to the Sports Zone at 1pm to watch the Ravens take on the Browns!Free wings and fun to be provided by (seb)!

1 PM to 3 PM Women's Soccer vs. Bucknell
GAME/TOURNAMENT · Soccer Stadium · The UMBC women's soccer continues non-conference action as it battles Bucknell at the Retriever Soccer Park. Free admission for Retriever fans.

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Meet Salma

Hey Everyone!

My name is Salma Waheed and I am a junior at UMBC. I transferred to UMBC in the spring of my Freshmen Year. My Major is Psychology with a certification in Early Education. After I graduate I hope to become a teacher. Children are my passion and love being around them. Maybe one day I can have my own child care center. Besides obsessing over children(not in a creepy way); I enjoy running, playing tennis and going to the gym. I am really excited about working at OCSS and with the Transfer Student Network. It is bringing me back to the high school days when I worked in an office and planned events. I realized how much I have missed it and I am glad to be involved at UMBC. I hope to help transfer students adjust to UMBC as much as possible.

I feel like it's vital to get involved and know more about UMBC in order to make your experience worthwhile. As a commuter student you don't want to go class and then go home. Go out there and talk to people and take advantage of what all UMBC has to offer. A great way to start is to come out to any OCSS event!

I am going to leave you with a little bit of advice that I have learned through personal experience...
1. Find clubs and organization that you are most interested in (go to their meetings) and pick out the ones that you like

2. Don’t give up! You may not be interested in the first few clubs/ organizations that you go to

3. Keep trying because there is something at UMBC for everyone or you can even start your own club!

If you ever have any questions feel free to email me at wsalma1@umbc.com

I would love to talk to you!

Thank you for reading,

Salma

How is your experience at UMBC going so far?

Leave it in the comments section below :)

Meet Carlos

Hello everyone. My name is Carlos Salazar. I just started working for Off Campus Student Services at the beginning of the fall semester. You've probably seen me at the Good Morning Commuter’s breakfast event that we have every Tuesday from 8:30 to 10:30. If you’re a commuter, I can’t recommend enough that you purchase a gold card (only $5!) and enjoy the excellent weekly breakfasts that OCSS provides.

I am a sophomore currently double majoring in the Healthcare Administration and Policy Program and Economics. I've been living on campus since last semester, but was a commuter the semester before that so I understand the struggles that commuters face in driving all the way to school, locating parking, and getting to class on time.

I’m also involved on campus with my job working for the RAC Event Staff. I’m currently looking into a number of different clubs and fraternities and plan to join several more organizations that will get me further involved with the campus. Beyond that, I absolutely love hanging out with friends, listening to all kinds of music, reading, as well as getting exercise through the gym and playing various sports. I’m currently trying to teach myself the guitar and increase my athleticism in regards to lifting and running.

If you ever see me, don’t hesitate to say hi or ask me about anything. I’ll see you around!

What's happening at OCSS this week...

Upcoming Events

Sep 10 8:30 AM Good Morning Commuters

On Campus : Main Street · Swing by The Commons Main Street every Tuesday morning, from 8:30am to 10:30am for free breakfast. It's complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card. Here you can meet new people, express commuter...


Sep 11 Noon Carpool Social

On Campus · Want to meet other carpoolers in person first, before joining the carpool? Join us on September 11th from 12pm-1pm in the UC Ballroom Lounge. FREE food! Sponsored by Off-Campus Student Services


Sep 11 Noon Transfer Student Network

Healthy MindsOn Campus : Comm 331 · University Health Services Peer Educators will present on reducing stress and anxiety. They will provide some tips for relaxation, as well as campus resources to help students maintain a healthy...


Sep 11 Noon Transit Tailgating

Music, free non-alcoholic drinks & giveaways!On Campus · Want to learn about the 7 Transit shuttle lines at UMBC? Step on a Transit Shuttle at Commons Circle on Sept. 11th from 12-1pm and find out how to get to UMBC and around the local community using...


Sep 13 Noon Survivor September

Making it through the first month back!The Commons · Not sure what to expect your first semester? Then come out to Commuter Connection's Survivor September! Find out what you might need in order to make it through the school semester. Great info on...

Learn more at http://my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss/events

Meet Hope

Hi everyone! My name is Hope and I am a Commuter Assistant working in Off-Campus Student Services.

I am so excited to be joining such a great group of people. All the staff and students in Off-Campus Student Services are extremely helpful and have been so welcoming to all the new CA's!

I work with transfer students in the Transfer Student Network. We host events during the semester that are geared to transfer students and their needs as they assimilate into the UMBC community. Currently, we are hosting a workshop series that answers many of the questions that transfer students have.

The workshops take place every Wednesday from 12:00-1:00pm. They address certain topics such as resume building and career searches, healthy minds, and information about graduate school. We will also be providing peer mentoring to any transfer student who may need advice or just someone to talk to!

In addition to the Transfer Student Network activities, you can find me working at the OCSS desk Friday afternoons. Feel free to come by and ask any questions you may have!

Besides working at OCSS, I am also actively engaged on campus in other activities. I am currently a double major in Psychology and Sociology. I am also a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi sorority. Like many other students at UMBC, I was a transfer student from Carroll Community College. This is my second semester here and I am learning many new things with the current transfer students that I did not know previously!

Besides being involved on campus, I love spending time with my friends and family. I also love working out, dancing, reading, and listening to the many wonderful boy bands of the '90s, which of course includes 'Nsync. I do enjoy going shopping and buying shoes. I also am a very health conscious person and I love eating healthy and exercising. However, my weakness is Macaroni and Cheese and I love it.

I enjoy smiling and laughing. So, please feel free to approach me with whatever you may need! I believe that I am a pretty approachable person, so please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.

Please take advantage of what OCSS has to offer and remember that all the CA's are here to help you! Have a great semester!

 

Meet Chris

Hey all!

My name is Chris Cho and I am a new Commuter Assistant for Off Campus Student Services!
You might have seen me over the summer at the front desk of OCSS or I might have sold you an MTA Bus Pass (only $39!). I haven't been working at OCSS for that long, but I can already tell you that this year is going to be fun.

To let you know a little about myself...

I am a Philosophy and Anthropology Double Major looking at my last year at UMBC (hopefully).
At OCSS I'm a team member of the Commuter Connections Team where we host events once a month where people can meet, talk, socialize, play games, and win prizes. Our events always have free food so you should definitely stop by. (Our next event is at Lower Flat Tuesdays Sept. 13, 12pm-1pm)

I'm at the OCSS front desk most afternoons from 2:30pm - 5:00pm and Fridays from 1:00pm-3:00pm. Stop by and say hi because I'm always down to chat, or help you with any issues/questions you might have about UMBC. It's also nice to just talk to a fellow student and take a break from the desk!

So that's a little about me and I hope I see you guys around!

Meet Safa

Hey everyone! I am Safa Zahangir, a sophomore and a bio major. This is actually my first time working as a Commuter Assistant at Off Campus Student Services!

I am an international student here at UMBC and although its been really challenging for me to adjust to everything in the beginning, so far its been a great year. My most favorite thing about UMBC is that everyone here is really nice. I mean just after few weeks of classes you will find yourself saying hi to at least couple of people on your way to class!

Well at the top of my head these are the few interesting things about myself...

I love watching Friends or The Big Bang Theory with Cheetos and a can of Fanta. I am all for both indoor and outdoor games (especially badminton! I love it!). I am pretty much getting addicted to iced coffee with whipped cream on top these days (note to myself: CONTROL!). I really have no idea if all the things above count as interesting facts or not, but that's all I have about myself!

I love working with the people at Off Campus Student Services. They are nicest and most helpful bunch of people I have met so far. Now that I am a Commuter Assistant myself, it feels great to be one of them, to have the opportunity to help others at UMBC.

Oh and I talk a lot(I mean a lot!). So feel free to drop by OCSS (right by the bookstore) anytime for a chat and I will be happy to be of help to you guys. I am available on Tuesdays (3-5 pm), Wednesdays (10-12 pm) and Fridays (1-2 pm) at the OCSS office. See you guys around and I wish you guys an awesome semester ahead!                                        

  

A wild CA appeared!

This is me derping around in Vancouver

Hi! My name is Tom Belliveau and I'm a brand new Commuter Assistant in Off-Campus Student Services.  I'm very excited to be working with everyone in the office; so far it has been fun, challenging, and occasionally embarrassing.

I'm a Junior math major (I know, EWWW).  I chose this major because one of my favorite professors, Mrs. Tighe, said, "The great thing about being a math major is that there are no stinkin' projects at the end of the year."  This little nugget of wisdom stuck with me and convinced me that math is basically awesome.

So here I am.

Here are my hobbies/ involvement:

OCSS Desk attendant every morning at 9:00. Stop by and introduce yourself!

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship worship co-leader.  Don't know how I got this position, but it's been a major growing experience.

Ultimate Frisbee every Friday from 1:00-3:00.  I don't play for Booya, but mostly people from InterVarsity and then some random other friends.  Come join.

Thanks for reading and I hope to meet you sometime!  It's seriously okay if you come up and say these exact words to me: "So. I know you from that blog post. My name is ________." Then we can be REAL friends!