Welcome new Terps!! (note: this entry always remains on top. New entries begin below)

Hello new transfer and commuting Terps!!

My name is Dian Squire and I am the Assistant Director of Orientation. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the University of Maryland. In my time working in Orientation, I have found that transfer and commuter students often have a hard time finding new contacts at the university and sometimes have issues locating important information for their success at the university. That is why I have created this blog. It is my hope that I can provide you with up-to-date information regarding the most important events happening on the Maryland Campus. Once I create a topic, feel free to comment with your experiences related to the topics. If there is something that you want to blog about, please send me an email and I will do my best to post about it so that a comment stream can be created. You may also search for topics in the search bar on the left.

At the end of each blog entry, you will notice a question in red italics. Feel free to answer the question and pose some of your own in a comment (all comments are moderated). 

My email is dsquire@umd.edu and the Orientation website is www.orientation.umd.edu. 

If you find anything offensive on this blog, please contact me immediately.

Enjoy!!

Apply now to the Federal Semester Program for 2012-2013!

Want college credit for a Washington internship?  Interested in public policy?  Intrigued by the idea of a career in public service? 

Apply now to the Federal Semester Program for 2012-2013! 

In this selective year-long program, students take a fall-semester seminar in one of four policy-focused concentrations: Foreign Policy, Homeland Security Policy, Federal Health Policy, and Energy/Environmental Policy.  They then work a spring-semester internship in federal agencies, congressional offices, think-tanks, and other policy-related organizations.  Federal Semester students have interned in such agencies as the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, and many, many more.  Year-round activities include trips to Capitol Hill and federal agencies, professional development workshops, and conversations with policymakers. 

For details and application form, go towww.federalsemester.umd.edu. Contacts:federalsemester@umd.edu ; Dr. Joan Burton, Director (jburton1@umd.edu); Megan Monserez, Coordinator (monserez@umd.edu).

Applications are due May 4

Acapella Groups- We don't need instruments to sound good

Hi! I'm David Todd, a rising-Senior Computer Science and Theatre Double major here and I will also be an Orientation Advisor for the Summer of 2011! One aspect of college that I was excited about was getting involved in musical groups on campus. I'm not a Music major, so I wasn't going to be singing in the program we have here at Maryland, but I still wanted to keep up with it. So, I decided to audition for the a cappella groups on campus.

The auditions for the majority of these groups happen at the same time and place: during the first two weeks of school in the CSPAC Music Wing. I was able to try out for several different a cappella groups and decide which ones were right for me. It was an awesome way to meet people that loved singing as much as I did, and we worked towards common goals like competing and putting on shows.

There are plenty of other musical groups on campus that any student can audition for, such as Choirs, Jazz Combos, the Marching Band, and much more. If you're not a music major but still want to include music in your college experience, UMD has so many opportunities!

Stay Fit!

Hi! I'm David Todd, a rising-Senior Computer Science and Theatre Double major here and I will also be an Orientation Advisor for the Summer of 2011! There is already loads of information about the ERC listed above, including its Indoor and Outdoor pools, multiple Gymnasiums, a 2-level Weight Room, Cardiovascular Equipment room and much more. But if you're trying to start going to the gym and you have no idea what you are doing, it can be dangerous!

The ERC provides FREE Weight Fitness orientations. In just an hour, you can learn how to use all 400+ pieces of Cardio and Strength training equipment that are housed in the ERC, SPH and Ritchie Coliseum! You will learn how to use them safely and effectively so you don’t waste your time or hurt yourself learning!

This Orientation program can be for Private or Semi-Private groups (up to 3 people) or larger groups of up to 20 of your friends! Usually groups are accommodated from 9-11am on Weekdays and Sunday afternoons and evenings. Visit www.crs.umd.edu to sign up for your Orientation!

After the Orientation and you’re still feeling lost? Personal Training from certified trainers is available at the ERC and packages can also be purchased through the www.crs.umd.edu website! These sessions are ideal for one-on-one time with a trainer to design a fitness program specifically for you; they will work with you during the sessions and help you feel comfortable completing the program on your own after they’re over!

Stay fit! :)

Living in the halls? Get involved!

Hey Terps!

My name is Vaughn Midder and I’m a freshman theatre and communication double major within the College of Arts and Humanities. I’m an orientation advisor for the summer of 2011, and I wanted to offer information about an organization that might help you get better acquainted with your fellow residents. Hall/Area councils within the Residence Hall Association (RHA) are a great way to meet new residents and effect change within the UMCP community. A council exists for every residence hall or area on campus. They are comprised of students who are elected to various positions by the residents of their council. I was elected the Vice President of Communication for BCC Hall Council this year and I really enjoyed it. We planned fun events for our fellow residents throughout the entire semesters such as the annual talent show, a Halloween dance, movie nights, and more. RHA offers leadership experience and it even provides employment opportunities for graduates through its extension to other national collegiate associations.

The show must go on...getting involved in Theater

Hey Terps!

My name is Vaughn Midder and I’m a freshman theatre and communication double major within the College of Arts and Humanities. I’m an orientation advisor for the summer of 2011, and I wanted to disclose some helpful information for any students interested in theatrical performance on campus. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center has some amazing productions each semester, but there are only about two or three that take place each semester so auditioning for them can be incredibly competitive and difficult. As a theatre major I understand the frustration of wanting to perform but not being able to. An easy and helpful solution to this is “Fresh Produce”.

            Fresh Produce is an organization run by students on campus that provides an opportunity to get involved in different aspects of theatre without any previous experience. You get the opportunity to work with other students and faculty within the theatre department. You get to experience traditional theatre as well as experimental forms of production. You even get the opportunity to propose works you like or even original works of your own. I participated in a performance called “Fresh Scenes” this past semester and it is a great way for the university community to acknowledge and celebrate the beginner theatre performers and artists on campus. Fresh Produce also offers exposes you to students and faculty involved in other performance groups such as “Weekday Players” and “Kreativity”.

Where is there a great place to hang?

Hey there,

My name is Kelsey Welsch, I am a rising junior Agriculture and Science Technology Major.  I will be an orientation advior for the Summer of 2011.

The University of Maryland is a huge campus that can be overwhelming when you first arrive.  Making sure to find quick short cut routes to class and other places is essential.  But, do not fall into a routine that you never get out of.  When the weather is nice, or you happen to get out 30 minutes early from lab take the time to walk around campus on a different path.  Possibly walk through a building just to see if you can make it through to the other side.  Get lost.

It is one of my goals to explore each building that is here at the University of Maryland.  This can be through classes, visiting a friend in their residence hall, or I just need to find somewhere to use the restroom.  So far I think I am doing pretty well.

One of my favorite places to go is the backyard of CSPAC.  It is a secret that I learned from a friend of mine and that I hope you will pass on to others.  The backyard is full of a great big lawn with a few hills.  Sometimes I forget that I am in college park.  It is great for eating or studying outside because of the tables but also great for playing frisbee.

I am sure you will find your favorite place to meet with your friends or to enjoy the outdoors.  Maybe you will even find the perfect seat in Stamp Student Union to drink coffee.  Make sure to take advantage of the beautiful campus and the many secrets it holds.  Try to find some excuse to enter a new building with any amount of free time you may acquire. 

Make sure you tell me about all the great places you find.

Kelsey