Access the AOK library off-campus

Did you know that as a current UMBC student can access e-resources from off-campus locations? Using either Single Sign-on or the Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can login with your UMBC credentials you can gain access to AOK's article database and e-books. 

So if you're studying for finals or writing a paper for class, and don't want to trudge back to campus just to access library information (especially in this chilly weather!), you can get the materials you need from the comfort of your own home!

MTA bus passes are here

December MTA bus passes have arrived at OCSS and are available to purchase for just $39-- that's a $25 savings off the regular monthly pass price! Please note, the office will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving Break, and bus passes will not be for sale during this time. 

Remember, you need to have $39 on your Red Card to make a purchase- we cannot accept any other method of payment. Add money to your Red Card at any of the five locations listed above, or online @ http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/services/campuscard.php

What are you thankful for?

Well it's that time of the season again. As we draw ourselves closer to Thanksgiving break (which i'm sure we all could use a break, even if for a couple days), we shouldn't forget the holiday we celebrated many years ago and continue to celebrate for many years to come: Thanksgiving.

Now before I begin, I want to start by taking your mind off of the Macy's Day Parade, NFL, etc., etc., etc. I mean there's nothing wrong with these events, I mean even I like some of of them myself. However, I feel like we're giving Thanksgiving a different definition. There's more to it than the football, parades, floats, shopping deals, and what not. I'm talking about getting together with family and friends, taking the time to think about what you're truly thankful for. Having a family/friend dinner that maybe you haven't had in such a long time. I feel like Thanksgiving is a time to get together, reconnect with people that we've been disconnected from for quite sometime. But the main question about thanksgiving remains, what are you thankful for. Here's my list...

For me I am thankful for a couple things:
- Being in college for giving me the challenges that each class has given me
- OCSS for learning about working in the real world (or at least giving me a chance to learn)
- Family and Friends for supporting me throughout this semester
- Life's challenges and curves for making life more interesting and giving me lessons to learn in life.

So there's my list, basic and to the point but it's something. What about you?

Want to give back this Thanksgiving?

Arbutus Methodist Church welcomes student volunteers who would like to help prepare and serve the holiday meal between Noon and 3:30pm on Thursday. The church is located across the street from UMBC's Poplar Avenue entrance, at 1201 Maple Avenue.

Think You Can Change UMBC? ProveIt.

UMBC SGA has started the ProveIt initiative to give students a chance to make change on this campus for the better! The initiative allows students to take their big ideas that they normally wouldn’t be able to make come to life on their own, and actually have them happen. 

How do we make that happen, you ask? 

We give out a reward of up to $10,000 dollars to the student with the best ProveIt idea-- along with support from UMBC administrators and staff members who can help the student achieve success launching her or his idea. There are smaller prize amounts that the second the third place winner can receive as well!

Though your proposal might not win, there is still chance that your idea can be implemented on campus! All of the proposals get looked at by a large judging committee with student leaders as well as administrators and staff. If any of them have interest in your proposal, they can help you come through with your idea! Some of the past ProveIt proposals from 2013 have been the Community Garden and the mural in the Biology Building that you can see from Academic Row! They were not the first place winners, but their ideas still happened on campus! The first place winner last year was Noche Vida, which allowed Pura Vida (in the library) to extend night hours for those studying there late at night . 

So, do you think you have an idea that can improve UMBC and is worth $10,000? ProveIt. 

Find us at:

http://sga.umbc.edu/proveit/

https://twitter.com/UMBCProveIt

https://www.facebook.com/UMBCProveIt

OCSS hiring students for weekly GMC breakfast

We’re Hiring for Spring 2014!

Apply online @

http://my.umbc.edu/groups/ocss/documents 

...and click "Commuter Assistant Application: Good Morning Commuters"

Off-Campus Student Services offers a variety of programs for commuting, veteran and transfer students. GMC is our most frequently attended program, and YOU have the chance to play a major part in it. We're hiring friendly and enthusiastic students to work as Commuter Assistants this spring. GMC Commuter Assistants are required to work 5 hours per week (additional office hours managing the front desk may be available upon request). 

Responsibilities include: 

• Weekly breakfast setup, serving, and cleanup, as well as office assistance with weekly inventory and ordering. 
• Frequent communication and collaboration with other students and professional staff is also required of this position. 
• Successful candidates must be able to work Tuesdays 7:30am-10:30am, and Fridays 12pm-1pm, plus one additional hour weekly, TBD. 
• Successful candidates must attend a mandatory all-day training on Friday, January 24th.

Completed applications should be emailed to me by Friday, November 29th. Please do not drop off paper applications. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. This position is available only to current UMBC undergraduate students, who are registered for Spring 2014 classes. Other positions are not available at this time. I look forward to receiving your application!

--

Lauren Tabbacchino, Coordinator, Off-Campus Student Services

tabbaccl@umbc.edu

410.455.1653

It's ready!

After an extra week of delays, the weight room at the RAC was finally re-opened last month. There’s a whole new set of equipment and weights to work with now, that are all in completely new condition-- in stark contrast with the previous weight room set up. Many students are very happy with the changes as all the equipment functions well and there is more space to complete one’s workout. Additionally, the opportunity to exercise has improved as the hours the weight room stays open are matched with the RAC hours rather than the random constantly changing hours that the varsity gym kept. Although the downtime was quite exasperating, the new area for students to lift in appears to be well worth it.

If you're taking the bus to campus, lugging gym clothes and equipment around all day can be challenging; did you know you can rent a locker at the RAC? 

Weekend @UMBC

Coming back to campus this weekend is a must!

Saturday night, (seb) hosts Breakfast and Bingo from 7pm-9pm, and CA Poulomi will be there to greet you! 

Want to spend the whole day on campus? Come earlier to cheer on UMBC Women's Basketball vs. UMES at 1pm in the RAC.

See what's happening all weekend on myUMBC.

Fall semester is almost over....

Hey guys!

I can't believe that the fall semester is almost coming to an end; it seemed to fly by really fast. This is the time of the year that you don't want to do anything because it is cold. All you want to do is curl up by a fire place. But as the semester ends, it's time to pick up your grades or if you've done well, just maintain them. Just because the semester is ending doesn't mean it's time to slack off. This is a good time of year to starting planning for finals. Make a schedule so you are not cramming everything at once. If you make a plan of everything that you have to do before the semester is over, you wont be stressed out. You don't want to overwhelm yourself by studying last minute for your finals. Also, make sure are getting enough sleep, because you don't want to sick during finals week.

Here are some study tips:

• Mangage your time
• Form study groups
• You dont understand something...get help!
• Use flash cards
• Take breaks 
• Take advantage of the Learning Resource Center, for walk-in and by  appointment tutoring

Don't be stressed out! Be prepared!


-Salma

Being Winter Ready

With Winter quickly approaching here are some tips to keep in mind so you make it to school without any issues!

Heating and Cooling System
   - make sure your vehicle's cooling system contains enough antifreeze to prevent freezing in cold weather
   - be sure to keep the mixture fresh by changing it regularly while having the entire system checked for leaks.
Select Clothing
   - be sure to dress accordingly for the weather while also allowing for mobility while driving.
   - try to avoid jackets and gloves that are too bulky that might impair your driving ability
Winter Driving Kit
   - Bag of abrasive material
   - Small snow shovel
   - Traction mats
   - Flashlight
   - Gloves/mittens
   - Ice Scraper
   - Booster Cables
   - Blanket
   - Warning flares
   - Cellular Phone

These are just a few of the many tips that are provided by AAA to ensure safe driving during this winter season.

More information can be found at AAA.com or by calling 800-JOIN-AAA

If you decide to come out to our next Commuter Connections event, "Winter is Coming" this Friday, 12pm-1pm at Lower Flat Tuesdays we will be handing out pamphlets full of these helpful tips along with other giveaways and prizes!!!

Keep warm and safe travels!

Winter is Coming!

Hey there Commuters!

Surely you have felt the chilly wind coming all the way from the breezeway. Well it could mean only one thing...Winter is Coming!

That's the theme of our upcoming Commuter Connections event this Friday. We'll have a chili bar and hot chocolate, lots of fun crafts-- like gingerbread people and travel mug decorating, fun games and great prizes. And to help make your winter commuting experience safer, we have AAA commuting tips and giveaways.

So join us for our last Commuter Connections event of the semester on Friday, November 15th, in Lower Flat Tuesdays at 12pm!



-Safa Zahangir

Thanksgiving Break!

Thanksgiving Break? What is that? 

You may not know this, but here at UMBC, we have classes on Wednesday, November 27.  Yes, it's true.  Yes, it is the day before Thanksgiving.  Yes, you probably do have plans to be traveling on Tuesday.  I understand.

The reason I'm telling you is that this is one of UMBC's many quirks.  Most students are unaware of it, even juniors and seniors.  It's just something you forget about until it happens again.

I know several transfer students who were caught off-guard by this last Fall, so that's why I want to tell everyone in advance! 

If you have plans to travel before Thanksgiving, let your professors know NOW.  Don't be part of the crowd that complains uproariously on November 25, because professors may get snarky when the whole class starts complaining.  You should be one of the few people who takes the time to explain to your professors that you will have to miss their classes.  Do this well in advance.  This is just something you have to do to maintain that good relationship with your professors.  This will work wonders at the end of the year when they're calculating your class participation grade.

UMBC has many quirks.  Some good, some... less good.  Being a student here is all about knowing the quirks and how to deal with them.  Off-Campus Student Services is here to help you navigate through them.

Welcome to UMBC, and remember to be thankful!

International Education Week

International Education Week is here! Brought to you by International Education Services, UMBC English Language Institute, and The Mosaic: Center for Culture and Diversity, International Education Week programming focuses on celebrating  international education at UMBC.

Check out what's happening below:

larger image available on myUMBC

Upcoming November Events

Commuter Week may be over - but never fear - OCSS still has plenty of events happening in November! Check out the calendar below for specifics.

Be sure to join us for our special Veterans Day Celebration on November 11th at 12pm on Mainstreet, and for the Career Workshop on November 20th at 5pm in the University Center Rm.310. You can pick up a copy of the November and December Events Calendar at the OCSS desk in the Commuter lounge!