Homecoming Highlights

Did you get a chance to participate in Homecoming Week!?*

If not, that's quite alright. With midterms approaching, I and the rest of the OCSS office understand the long nights in the library and how much you value your sleep. For my post today I just wanted to share a few things from Homecoming Week, so you know what all the buzz was about. Perhaps next year, you will be able to take a study break and join in on the fun!

UMBC Men's Soccer came to a draw V. Albany after double overtime with score 0-0.

Photo Cred: UMBC Athletics

 UMBC Homecoming Bonfire in Erickson Field. One of the most anticipated homecoming events.

Photo Cred: (seb)

  Homecoming Comedian, Nick Offerman took the stage (then took his shirt off).

Photo Cred: Emma Hagen's IG

These are only a few of the highlighted homecoming events, but feel free to comment below and share some of your favorite events! How can UMBC make homecoming  more spectacular next year?

*Note: Commuter Week begins Oct. 28th. Hit the books early so you can join us that week for activities, games, prizes and possibly free food.....

Waiting for the bus

Before I was able to carpool to UMBC this year, I had to take the metro bus everyday just to get to campus, and then sometimes I would take the bus back home. From where I live, it normally would take about an hour to an hour fifteen minutes to commute to UMBC. 

So you're probably wondering why and how I was able to pull this off my freshman year, because getting up at 5am or 7am just to leave to go to the station is pretty intense, let alone with everything else that follows right afterward. The answer is simple, I had a motivation and time management to help me, a couple of skills that maybe can help you out as you continue along your UMBC Career. I mean if I was late and didn't leave on time, I would not only miss the train, but the bus as well and that would hinder some of my free time that I had before classes.

If you're planning on commuting with the MTA Bus or Train, keep a couple things in mind:

• Make sure you know what time the bus leaves/arrives at your stop. Pay attention to the bus number and the destination or you may accidentally miss it.
• Have something to do while waiting for the bus and waiting to arrive at your stop. Listening to music is good, doing some work/studying is good too, and maybe taking a nap if you're wanting to catch up with some sleep. Though I will advise you to make sure you wake up before arriving at your stop!

OKtoberFeast!

Hey All!

Our last Commuter Connections event was great! We had a lot of people attend, and pretty much everyone left with a full stomach-- or at least a full bag with information from some important campus resources: Study Abroad, Health Services, (seb), and The Shriver Center. PNC was awesome to come out as well, and for giving us those awesome draw string bags. I actually got one too and have been using it everyday.

But now that the weather is cooling down we're going to take a step back from the warm summer themes like the Survive the Semester's Island theme and get a little serious. That's because our next theme is OktoberFeast! Okay so it's not really that serious, but a change in themes is pretty serious to us!

Come out to OktoberFeast on Oktober 18th during free hour. That's Friday, Oktober 18th at 12pm-1pm. It's the same drill as last time, but with a German, fall twist to it. We'll have prizes, giveaways, and of course free food--specifically, a pretzel bar! Custom design your own pretzel! Where else can you do that? No where else except OCSS Commuter Connections.

Hope everyone's semester is going well, and talk to you later!

Communication is Key

I’m really into people watching. I like observing the different behaviors people have whether if it is repetition, odd quirks, or commonalities between people. I get to see about 180 people every Tuesday morning by working for Good Morning Commuters which is a lot of observing for me to do when I’m not serving food. I know personally, I’m always concerned on getting to Point B from Point A, but I’m never paying attention to anything but my phone when getting to Point B. I’m on my phone checking e-mails or texting co-workers about an event when I’m in that transition from Point A to Point B.

The other Tuesday at GMC, I went to a table with two girls who did not know each other and were on their phones. I just asked them general questions such as what their names were, what year they are, what their major in. They were both are into Psychology and started talking about internships they both had and realized they both had the same experiences in different offices. Since that one GMC early in the semester, I have seen those two sitting at a table and eating breakfast together every Tuesday.

We’re in the midst of an age where people are on their phones talking to people instead of getting together in person to talk to each other. We’re on our phones constantly, we’re not paying attention to our surroundings, and we’re not taking the time to realize where we are in our lives and take it all in.

Next time you’re walking from one class to another or from your car to your class, make sure you stop and smell the roses (or feed the squirrels...or don't) and say hi to a friend! 

RAC renovations beginning

If you've been in the weight room at UMBC, you probably understand that it needs work. A lot of the machines are old or not working, there’s not nearly enough space, and the entire area seems dirty. However, it appears that the university has finally approved renovations. 

Within a few weeks, there will be a whole new weight room. According to SGA’s Facebook page, renovations costs will total $115,000 and will include a number of new machines and equipment. A list of the new equipment can be found on this discussion on myUMBC here: http://my.umbc.edu/discussions/9240. In the short term, this means that if you want to exercise over the next 3 weeks, you’ll have to use the Michael S. Knapp Training Center (also referred to by students as the “varsity gym”) on the RAC Arena Track level. The hours are a little odd and shift from week to week, but they are posted on the recreation page here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/recsports.

Additionally, my other job with the RAC Event Staff gave me the opportunity to help out a bit with the renovations. Working with several others, I helped remove some of the flooring as well as transporting most of the dumbbells and plates out. Some pictures are posted below. I for one cannot wait to see the new room and hope the changes are implemented as planned.

Updates!

Hey guys,

Happy Wednesday!

Even though the TSN workshops Series is coming to an end, do not worry, we will be having follow up events later in the semester.  After the Retriever Ready Celebration, which is on October 9 in Lower Flat Tuesdays, we will be having peer mentoring sessions for students that have any questions or need someone to talk. These sessions will be during our regular workshop time: Wednesdays at Noon in OCSS. If you have any questions or concerns, we are here to help.

I know it is that time of the semester that you are already stressed out from school. Just looking at all the work you have to do this semester is giving you a headache. You many have a gotten back your first exams and they may not have been the grades that you wanted. Do not worry, there is plenty of time to pull up your grades. Never give up, and find ways to get the help you need. Just keep working hard and it will pay off in the end. Time files and before you know it the semester will be over. Just hang in there!

If you need to take your mind of things Homecoming week is almost here! October 7 to October 12.

Be sure to check out these events!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7

Homecoming Hype & Food Trucks
12 – 1 p.m, UMBC Quad (rain location: Commons, MainStreet)

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8

Homecoming Info Tables
11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Breezeway

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9

Faculty and Staff Social
5 – 6 p.m., Flat Tuesdays, The Commons

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10

Women’s Soccer v. Vermont
7 p.m., Soccer Field

Outstanding Alumni of the Year Awards

6:30 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. ceremony
Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Talent Show9 p.m., University Center Ballroom

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

Big Prize Poetry SLAM!
6-8 p.m., Performing Arts and Humanities Building Atrium

Retriever Rally
9 – 10:30 p.m., Retriever Activities Center (RAC)

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

Support Shriver Center “Stuff a Scion!”
All day, The Commons

Rob Magin 5K Dawg Chase
8 a.m., Registration opens; 9 a.m., Race begins; Stadium Lot

A Morning with Arrested Development Star Jeffrey Tambor
Breakfast, 9:15 a.m.; Lecture at 10 a.m.; University Center Ballroom

Men’s Lacrosse Alumni Game
11 a.m., UMBC Stadium

Community Picnic Lunch with Dr. Hrabowski
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., UMBC Quad

Women’s Lacrosse Alumnae Game
12:30 p.m., UMBC Stadium

Men’s Rugby v. Salisbury
1 p.m., Walker Field

Homecoming Kickball Kup – Students vs. Alumni
1:15 p.m., Erickson Field

Kids Zone
1:00 – 3:00 p.m., SportsZone, The Commons

Smoothies at Flat Tuesdays
1 – 4 p.m., Flat Tuesdays, Upper Level, The Commons

Free Game Play
1 – 5 p.m., 2nd Floor, The Commons

Tour of Baltimore with the Shriver Center 
1:30 – 5 p.m., Bus departs Commons Circle Drive

Spirit March
2 – 2:30 p.m.

Softball Alumnae Game
2 p.m., Softball Stadium

Baseball Alumni Game 
2 p.m., Alumni Field

Decorate Pumpkins & Rockets with the Honors College
2 – 4 p.m., Flat Tuesdays Lower Level & Patio

Residence Life Community Center Open House
2 – 4 p.m., Community Center

Men’s Alumni Basketball Reunion
2:30-4 p.m., Flat Tuesdays Upper

Men’s Soccer Game v. Albany
2:30p.m., Retriever Soccer Park

Open Pub at Flat Tuesdays
4 – 6:30 p.m., Flat Tuesdays, The Commons

Ice Hockey v. Virginia Tech 
4:45 p.m., Reisterstown Sportsplex

Taste of UMBC: Crab Feast
5 – 8 p.m., UMBC Quad

I

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Lambda Phi Alumnae Reunion
5:30 – 8 p.m., Room 329, The Commons

Student Leader Reunion
7 – 8 p.m., RAC

Comedy Show Featuring Nick Offerman of Parks and Recreation
7 p.m. doors, 8 – 9:30 p.m. show, RAC Arena

CBLA Homecoming Throwback Party
8:30 p.m. – Midnight, Flat Tuesdays, The Commons

For more information click this link 

http://homecoming.umbc.edu/whats-going-on/full-events-listing/ 

Stay Positive! 

-Salma 

Study Skills Workshop

Hello there UMBC students! I hope you have been enjoying school so far and getting in enough time to relax and spend some time with friends and family!

Since it is now October, that means that there are fun and exciting events coming up on and off campus. During fall, I always go pumpkin picking and carve pumpkins. Fall is my favorite season because of pumpkin coffee, muffins, apple cider, Halloween, and wearing cute dresses with scarves.

Now that I've listed some of my favorite fall activities, what are yours? Please leave some comments and let OCSS know what some of your favorite things about fall are!

In regard to OCSS and our events, the Transfer Student Network has been working very hard to bring information and fun events for our Transfer students. Tomorrow, October 2nd, is our Study Skills Workshop in the University Center Ballroom Lounge. At this workshop, you will find information on effective studying habits and reducing stress. Since midterms are right around the corner, this workshop will help students understand their study habits and what they can do to achieve their goals in their classes.

Not only will we have excellent information about study skills, we will also have some comfort foods that will ease the minds of our UMBC students! (We won't tell you what we're serving - just come and find out!)

We also will be having a raffle for students who attend our workshop. (Again, you will have to come to find out what the raffle is!)

Our last event will take place next week, October 9th, in Lower Flat Tuesdays. This is our celebratory event and there will be plenty of opportunities to meet fellow transfer students, enjoy some yummy food, and hang out with the TSN staff!

Now that you are informed of the next Transfer Student Network event, here is a wonderful picture of fall.

Photo taken from http://www.musingsofamuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Discovery-Fall-2013-Collections-605x310.jpg

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

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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.

0 comments

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!