University of Maryland-Baltimore County Top Questions

While we are not a very sport oriented school, our recent qualification for the Big Dance shows that we can be. So really-- how about a football team already?! And Greek life should be more supported... like having houses.

I think our schoool is a good size, large enough where you don't know everybody, but small enough where you see people you know when walking around campus. Most of my time spent on campus is in on-campus housing, the gym, the library, or The Commons. There is no college town atmosphere. I think UMBC's administration is too focused on the academic parts of the university - there are other aspects to a college other than great academics. School spirit needs to be addressed, as well as other involvement opportunities for students so that they can feel more a part of UMBC than just using UMBC as a stepping stone to get somewhere else. There has been an uprise of school pride in the past two years with the women's basketball team going to the school's first ever NCAA tournament last year and getting UMBC's first taste of national TV coverage and with this year's men's basketball team having an outstanding and exciting season that go UMBC even more free national TV coverage. The student body began to embrace UMBC and be excited about their school and show true school spirit. It is amazing what a successful sporting season that gets your school on a national level can do for a school. UMBC is very unusual in how diverse the community is. This is a great thing about UMBC in how anybody can find their niche on campus. One of the most frequent student complaints is that of the lack of parking - we need more student parking!

1. The best thing about UMBC is the openness of students. People are typically friendly. 2. I would completely revamp Reslife and the administration. They kinda suck. 3. Our school is small, but I think that adds to how the students seem to all know each other. 4. "Really? Sorry man." or "Never heard of it." 5.I'd say my time is evenly split between class, on-campus job, and my on campus residence. 6. What college town? 7. The administration is whacked out. Especially that nonfucntioning section 8. For me: the smoking ban. For the campus: probably nothing. We don't really get riled up as a whole. 9. There is when we're winning. 10. We've got an underground tunnel system that we're not supposed to know about. But other than that, it's a fairly typical small state run institution. 11. How about several? Blowing up pumpkins, having revenge sex on the couch, mad parties in walker, death race 2006 around the loop, drunken full contact football everytime it snows, throwing a challenge flag at a professor, boxing outside the dorms, smoking stogies on a great spring day while ogling all the pretty ladies walking on academic row, and these are just to name a few. Note how none of these are truly academic.

The best thing is because UMBC is such a unique place, it breeds great friendships. The school size is perfect I think, for a medium sized school. When I say I attend umbc people either say, "where? I've never heard of that," "U Must Be Crazy" or "U Must Be Chinese." I spent most of my time in the Commons- I do like the Commons, its a legit place to be whether you want some quiet study/nap time or to eat with friends. There is no college town and that is one of the major drawbacks of umbc. There is simply nothing around. To get something to eat you have to go at least 15 minutes away to Arundel Mills or Columbia. There needs to be some sort of local town center with shops and food that students can WALK to. I think UMBC's administration is terrible, honestly. Being an athlete, we have gotten screwed repeatedly. The President has no care or concern for the athletic department, and the athletic programs will never improve unless the President has a major change of heart, or we get a new President. I understand that Athletics are not at the top of his priorities, however, big athletics means big name recognition and more students/employers/people being aware of the University. Big athletics also means more money for the University (like the men's basketball team recently going to the NCAAs- this was a huge money maker for the school!). The athletic administration needs to undergo a sea-change as well. The Athletic Director (AD) is outdated. Although I do have to give them credit for making certain improvements in the four years I have been here (a new turf, a new soccer stadium, a new field house, new locker rooms for mens and womens basketball). Despite these tangible changes, the foundations of the athletic department have remained the same. Since the President of the University doesn't devote any time or money to athletics, the programs will also remain mediocre. And mediocrity breeds more mediocrity. The coaches are mediocre, the administration is mediocre, etc. More specifically, there is something missing from the athletic department and I feel they have let me down repeatedly. My major point of concern is in academic advising. Your first two years you are required to be advised by an athletic-academic advisor, and then once you are a junior you are supposed to be advised within your major. But, since you have previously been advised in the athletic department, you don't know the procedure for departmental advising. It's almost like- the athletic department coddles you for a year, then kicks you out, but doesn't give you the resources to survive on your own. So, if the athletic department is going to encourage departmental advising, they need to tell you that. Furthermore, they should require that all ATHLETES having a meeting with someone at the Shriver Center or Career Services Center. No one in the athletic department tells you about these other services, which are crucial for finding internships,scholarships, and opportunities post graduation. Simply, there is just something missing, there is a lack in communication somewhere. I think it boils down to the fact that the athletic department makes you think they will handle all of your needs, but really, they don't and they don't show you the tools you need outside the department. There is no school pride, and it sucks. However, the recent men's basketball win in the Conference Tournament bred immense school spirit. It is the only time at this university that I have felt like I was at a "real school." And I will always remember having chills watching that game at the arena. Frequent student complaints- there is no school spirit, there are too many weird people at umbc, there is no campus life.

The best thing abot UMBC is the Humanities Progam; it is a group of studetns with an interest in a discipline in the humanities with some living on their own living/learning community floor. We have fun, do scholarly and non-scholarly activites from poetry readings to historical hikes. I spend most of my time on this floor and after that I would have to say the library. There really isn't too much of a problem that I have with UMBC's size or location. The size is not bad because it is small enough that I see a lot of people that I know some well some not so well just walking to class, and I grew up ten minutes from the school so I know the area real well. As to the administration, it is better than AUCs. Dr. Hrabowski is great and works really hard for our school. The only problem I have with administration is freshmen advising. It is chaotic and exhausting and usually disorganized. The biggest controversy that I can remember was when a UMBC student brutally killed a woman. Thankfully this is very rare and other than that maybe it is the new smoking perimeter, which I am all for. School spirit does kind of lag at sports games but our teams did well this year so maybe next year it will be up. Other non sports related school spirit I guess is fine. For me this is my school, I am proud to be here. One of the few fun things that I can recall are playing jailbreak in Academic row, snowball fights in the middle of the night, freezing while doing Aikido in the winter after dark, getting to know my roommates, drinking coffee in the dining hall, rolling down the hill near the administration building on a perfect late summer early fall night, walking around unlocking campus at six oclock in the morning with no one else around. The most frequent complaints are about the food. Sodexho does a so so job here and thankfully it is being evaluated. (Hopefully it will either improve or be replaced).

The school has a reputation as great academically but not so great socially.

The best thing about UMBC would have to be the few, and there are a few but not many, teachers who care, some of the fellow students. I would change many things about UMBC. The biggest change I would make is the administration. When I tell people I go to UMBC, most people say things like, what is that? where is that? is it a community college? is it a lesser version of college park, etc. In the RAC(Retrievers Activities Center/aka the gym). What college town, there is nothing there except to go to downtown baltimore, which you can't do until you are a junior or senior depending on your age. UMBC's administration needs a big change. Until the president realizes that there are other students at the school than the Honors University Students and the special Meyerhoff Students (a special program that was set up for minority students studying the sciences). Don't get me wrong, I think it is a great program, but it is the only program that he pays any attention to or even cares about. There are other students that go to the school as well and he would not recognize that unless something amazing happened that could bring the school publicity. If it were up to him athletics would be completely gone from the school, but he doesn't realize, that athletics are what brings people, and money to the school. Many students would love to see a football team but that will never happen under his watch. However, when the womens basketball team in 2007 and men's in 2008 went to the NCAA tournament, he all of a sudden cared, because that brings in money and people, maybe after two consecutive years and possibly more publicity he will realize that he needs to care a little more about all of his students, but probably not. There is very little school pride with the exception of the recent activities with the NCAA tournament, school pride came out of no where. There was also a very small group, maybe 50 or so students, that always showed their school pride!

- rugby, I'd improve sports at UMBC, get a football team, allow tailgate parties, etc -size of UMBC is just right. big enough we are on the map but not ridiculous like college park -most people react and think I'm a nerd. Then I tell them I play rugby, went on the fan buses, have been to big parties, and then they get the picture -most of my time on campus is in a lecture hall, computer lab, or rugby field. I live off campus now so I don't usually eat or sleep there. -I think the admin. side of UMBC is well run -I can't think of any big controversies -Only recently has there been school pride. I remember freshman year when only 100 people would be at basketball games - this year we set the record attendance. -I will always remember rugby games, most fun I've had and through rugby I've met some of my best friends and been on my most exciting trips. -

The best thing about UMBC is its diversity and the sense of community created by the campus. Many students are approachable if not friendly. I feel like the size of its campus is just right for me. When I tell people that I go to UMBC, they assume that nothing fun or eventful happens on campus. I feel UMBC administration addresses big concerns with students directly, but I feel like there is still a lot of miscommunication between students and the administration at times. With recent events of UMBC basketball winning the conference, there is more school pride. Students often complain there is nothing to do on campus during the weekends. The one experience I will always remember is my membership of Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.

The best thing about UMBC is the low crime, campus size, and dorms! I'd add a bigger gym, its a decent size but could use more space. I love the size never a 500 lecture course. People ask what is it sometimes, or where, they ask if i am into science or computers, or they go so does everyone always go home? I spend time with friends hanging out, at the gym (RAC), in other peoples rooms, in class, outside, at events and just around. We aren't in a town full of college kids and were a 10-15 min drive from baltimore and buses go there. You learn from others and trial and error who good professors are. generally administration is fine. I can't think of a controversy, ongoing i guess is a football team? There is an increasing school pride and I am proud to say I am part of it! We have pretty good sports and academics and its a great location. All the funny times with my room mate. We love to dress up randomly. Also this year in CAB (community actions board). The pond... More to do.. different food on weekends.

Best thing about UMBC? The opportunity to start as a single student and make big changes. I would like to loosen some of the stricter requirements on maintaining a polished exterior, as I think it stifles student expression in some cases. I think the size (around 10K students) is perfect. "That's in College Park, right?" I spend a great deal of time in The Commons. Arbutus/Catonsville try to be a college town in some cases but they're really not quite there yet. The administration can be frustrating at times but I think that for the most part, it is staffed with people who are open-minded and genuinely interested in the well-being of the students. SAE fraternity getting severely punished over some rumored violations, prompting an inquiry into our student judicial processes. This semester our school pride has really been taking off. Everything about UMBC is unusual: the students, the opportunities to make big things happen, our flagship chess team. If you want to be just one of the crowd don't come to UMBC. I'm always going to remember my experiences with student government and how it helped to empower me to be able to effect change both on our campus and in the world around me. People often complain about the food (sucks), general class requirements (why?), not getting the grades they wanted (hmm), "there's nothing to do" (yeah right!).

The best thing -- there's green all over campus, which is nice especially in the spring. One thing I'd change -- the institutional-brick architecture. It's like a campus of cardboard boxes (except kind of reddish). Size -- a little big, but then I'm slightly agoraphobic. Spend time on campus -- in class, or walking to class. Living in the dorms means I get a lot of daily exercise. College town -- Arbutus is the only place in walking distance. It's good to make friends with upperclassmen who drive, so you can at least get to Catonsville or Ellicott City. Administration -- paperwork, paperwork, paperwork! But nice people. Recent controversy -- none that I'm aware of, but I don't really pay attention. School pride -- it depends on what group you're in. Memorable experience -- the annual Drag Show last May. Pretty flaming awesome. Hopefully this year's is even better! Most frequent student complaints -- not enough parking/too many cars. Also, people claim the food sucks, but I've had worse. Heck, I've cooked worse.

It is different than a lot of other colleges. It has only been around for a few years and has the potential to become something great. We need to work on improving the campus attitude as a whole. Many students feel unsatisfied and want it to be more of a college town. Im very satisfied with the size and once i tell people i go to UMBC, they assume I couldnt get into College park and love to study. One of the major problems on our campus is school pride. Students dont seem to be proud of going to UMBC

UMBC's location is one of the greatest things about it. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to downtown Baltimore and only about half an hour to get to Washington D.C. UMBC has its own exit on Route 195 and is immediately accesible from both the Baltimore beltway (695) and the 95 interstate. UMBC also offers a shuttle service that runs downtown, to the Arundel Mills mall and to the neighborhoods surrounding campus on a daily basis. UMBC is a very liberal school. There are student organizations and groups willing to express and represent any sort of political, religious or philosophical leaning you might have. Tolerance is pretty much the highest virtue. Students interested in organizations have a great resource through the Office of Student Life. Student organizations can apply for funding from the student government association, are qualified as non-profit organizations for charity purposes, have access to professional sound, video, catering, management, and security personel amoung other perks. If you have good highschool grades, AP credit and/or good SAT scores, you'll probably get a scholarship from UMBC. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships on campus give out lots and lots of money to lure prospective freshman but if you receive an award, be sure to keep your grades up. Scholarships require a 3.00 or 3.25 cumulative GPA maintenance depending on the award.