Your first UMD semester
Research shows that students who get involved on campus are more successful than those who don’t. This includes transfer students. Often transfer students have a harder time finding their place on campus. We will give you some information on how to get involved!
1. Mark your calendar! The First Look Fair is when over 500 clubs, organizations and community vendors descend on McKeldin Mall and provide students with involvement information.
2. Visit the Office of Campus Programs in the Stamp Student Union to learn about all of the clubs and organizations you can get involved in.
3. Consider getting a job on campus.
4. Attend at least one speaker or event on campus on a topic with which you are unfamiliar.
5. Visit STARs to look up contact and meeting information for all of our over 550 clubs and organizations.

President’s Promise
“Every student should have the opportunity for a special program experience” - Dr. C. D. Mote, Jr., President.
President Mote wants to ensure that every student has a unique experience here at Maryland. To that extent he has set up the President’s Promise. His promise helps promote student learning outside the classroom in areas such as international experiences, research, internships, learning communities, leadership, service-learning experiences and more! To find out more information, visit the President’s Promise website at .www.presidentspromise.umd.edu.

Returning Students
Returning Students are students who are 25 years or older and are returning as undergraduate students to the University. The Counseling Center and Learning Assistance Services has a special team focusing on Returning Student issues and success. They are located in the Shoemaker Building in Room 2201. Visit their website at www.counseling.umd.edu/LAS. Click on Programs and scroll down to Returning Students for more information.

UMD Honor Pledge
The Honor Pledge is a statement undergraduate and graduate students should be asked to write by hand and sign on examinations, papers, or other academic assignments not specifically exempted by the instructor. The Pledge reads:

"I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination."

The Pledge was adopted by the University Senate on April 9, 2001, and approved by the President on May 10, 2001. The University of Maryland Honor Pledge was initiated by students. Hundreds of students signed a campus-wide version of the Pledge before it was officially adopted by the University Senate. It helps keep students honest as they continue their studies here at UMD. You will sign the Honor Pledge Banner during your Orientation.

Code of Student Conduct
The Code of Student Conduct outlines rules and regulations for student action on and around campus. All students should make themselves aware of these policies and regulations. They can be found at http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/docs/v100b.pdf.

UMD Libraries online
The University of Maryland makes it easy to conduct your research from anywhere with Internet access. Just log onto www.lib.umd.edu to connect to the library research ports. Access thousands of journals and databases or just look up the location of a book. You can also request books from many libraries within the University System of Maryland (USM), which includes 11 universities and college across the state.

Special Needs, Special Services
The University of Maryland understands that people learn in different ways and therefore need special services. UMD is committed to the equal treatment of all of its students, faculty and staff. That is why they have set up Disability Support Services located within the Counseling Center in the Shoemaker Building. Established in 1976, the Disability Support Service (DSS) at the University of Maryland, College Park has been steadily growing from its original clientele of 7 persons to over 1000. The mission of the Disability Support Service is to coordinate services that ensure individuals with disabilities equal access to University of Maryland College Park programs. DSS provides many services. To register with DSS or find out more about those services, visit their website at http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/.

Maryland Day
The University of Maryland, College Park, opens its doors every year on the last Saturday in April to alumni and their families, parents, prospective students, the business community and residents of the surrounding Baltimore-Washington Metro area. Our beautiful campus will buzz with activity as visitors join students, faculty, staff and their families for a day of learning, exploration and fun for the entire community.

Parent and Family Weekend
The University of Maryland is pleased to host an annual Family Weekend program, which is the largest University sponsored event for parents and families. Since its inception in 1980, Family Weekend has provided parents and family members with the opportunity to enjoy the campus community, spend time with their students, experience a variety of academic and social programming, and share their Terrapin Pride.

Parents are also encouraged to become part of the UM Parent Association. Working with the Office of Parent and Family Affairs, the Maryland Parents Association gives parents and family members the opportunity to network and provide support for other parents and family members, and to actively participate in the life of the University by serving on the Parent Advisory Council as well as volunteering for various campus events. Participating in the Parents Association is an excellent way to stay connected as a Terp parent and to support the education of your son or daughter.

To find out more information about this event, please visit the Parent and Family Affairs website at www.terpparent.umd.edu.

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Please contact the Orientation Office at 301-314-8217 or at askorientation@umd.edu if you have any comments, questions or concerns.