Student Life Plan

New processes are in place for students who need to pick up a preprinted university identification card or have their photo taken in person for one.

Students can pick up their card at the Office of the Registrar from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Students are required to bring a government-issued photo ID.

Students not coming to campus for the Fall 2020 semester may pick up their ID card or have one made in-person when they return to campus.

Residence halls have been converted to help reduce occupancy and to allow for physical distancing. 

• Residence halls have converted to single room occupancy in traditional and semi-suite buildings and, as appropriate, in suites and apartments. To see the full list of updated housing and room and board fees, which have been frozen at 2019-20 rates, visit the Housing Rates webpage.
  • Total on-campus housing contracts for fall 2020: 3,587, which represents 40.4% of our regular inventory of 8,886 beds.
• Community restrooms and high-touch point areas in the residence halls such as elevator buttons, water fountains and door handles are being cleaned at an increased frequency.
• There are residential spaces for isolation and quarantining if needed.
• Resident assistants will organize virtual opportunities for students to connect and get to know each other. In-person opportunities will be very limited and held outdoors following all appropriate safety protocols.

Fall 2020 On-Campus Housing Updates

Dining halls will open with reduced seating capacity and physical distancing, with all changes prioritizing safety. During our two-week online period, all on-campus dining will be grab-and-go to minimize indoor interactions while dining, where wearing a face covering is not possible.

• Hand sanitizing stations will be available at entrances.
• All guests will wear masks except when seated at a table.
• One-way directional signs and physical distancing floor markers will be posted throughout the dining halls. 
• Breath guards have been added to some serving stations
• Team members will wear face coverings and sometimes face shields, depending on their job assignment.
• All food will be served by Dining Services team members.
• Seating in the dining halls will be rearranged to accommodate physical distancing. 

The University Health Center and the Counseling Center will be open for both in-person medical assistance and counseling as well as online options for support. Modified services, programs and activities include:

• Telemedicine appointments
• Pharmacy
• Behavioral health services
• Health Promotion and wellness services
• Sexual health and women’s health services
• CARE to Stop Violence
• Campus Pantry
• Accessibility and Disability Services 

Fall 2020 Health Center Updates

Fall 2020 Counseling Center Updates

We also think it is important to let you know of a few activities you can participate in to keep you active physically and mentally and connected to others:

If students are living on-campus or close by:

• Go to grab-and-go from Dining Services, get your meal, and walk to McKeldin Mall sit at least 6-feet apart from others and have a meal together
• Set-up your hammock in one of the many beautiful spaces on campus -- rotate locations;
• Go for a walk/run on the Paint Branch Trail, around Lake Artemesia, or on campus;
• Enjoy take-out lunch with a buddy at your favorite College Park restaurant;
• Gather with some friends, in limited numbers, outside only, wearing masks and remaining physically distant and enjoy music, a movie, or card and board games;
• Schedule time at the Eppley Center (RecWell);
• Go online to register time in the STAMP and grab a meal, or go to the gallery or the bookstore.

If students won’t be coming to campus physically, there are many off-campus and virtual options available (and those on/close to campus):

• Go biking or hiking with a friend;
• Throw a Frisbee, play lacrosse pass and catch, throw a baseball, or play tennis with a friend;
• Partake in gaming activities with your friends;
• Take a local day-trip to DC, Baltimore, Annapolis, or one of Marylands many state parks;
• Schedule to watch a movie with friends;
• Participate in the Eppley Center virtual exercise/fitness program;
• Join Resident Life and other departments for Fall Welcome activities, your first weekend back; and,
• Check out the many virtual programs being offered by STAMP.

There are many programs, services and resources available to students on-campus and virtually to keep eachother safe and physically distant.