12 Ways to Get Connected This Semester

With winter break in our collective rear-view mirror, the new semester ushers in new possibilities for Terps on-campus and off. 

The Division of Student Affairs is continuing its work to create spaces for students to gather safely and connect amid a global pandemic. Vice President for Student Affairs Patty Perillo said that this, along with a national reckoning with systemic racism, economic upheaval and political unrest, has made “finding solid ground beneath us where we could just be in community incredibly difficult.” 

“What I want to continue telling students is, “You’ve got this,” she said. “And we’ve got you.” 

Perillo’s Keep Connected weekly e-newsletter and website highlight resources, calendars, events and more for students and the UMD community to stay plugged in.

From grab-and-go craft kits to outdoor events, from virtual competitions and fitness classes, to leadership and service programs, here are a dozen ways to get going and get involved:

1. Find Your Thing at the Second Look Fair
Meet members from hundreds of clubs, organizations, academic and honor societies, and others at this virtual tabling event running tomorrow through Thursday, 3-6 p.m. Get information on more than 800 student groups operating this spring from the Student Organization Resource Center, or find a list of events and announcements at TerpLink.umd.edu.

2. Go all-out at the All Niter
Postponed from a one-day event in the fall, the All Niter will now have multiple events taking place every Friday in February, starting this week. Activities at the Stamp Student Union or at home include reverse tie-dye shirts, canvas painting, both a virtual escape room or in-person escape room, Build-a-Bae on Valentine's Day, glow night in the TerpZone, scavenger hunts, games and more.

3. Experience Student Entertainment Events
Check out the SEE website to find events for students by students throughout the semester, including lectures, outdoor movies, the UMD Find Your Rose “The Bachelor”-style event and Art Attack.

4. Apply to the Alternative Breaks Dialogue Program
Want to be an empowered learner, taking action with UMD peers to help just causes? This program offers a series of virtual intentional and reflective talks along with service opportunities with local partners where students can turn their knowledge into action in safe, responsible and sustainable ways. Interested students must be able to commit 1.5 hours per week for eight weeks starting Feb. 15. Tomorrow is the application deadline.

5. Celebrate Black History Month
Black History Month, which started yesterday, aims to raise awareness, spur meaningful discourse, celebrate culture and remember pioneers. “Black Joy” is this year’s theme, and the university’s Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA) unit will host a full calendar of events, focused on perspectives from Terps. Ahead: Women’s History Month and Multiracial Heritage Month, both in March, and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.

6. Express your feelings on Black Lives Matter through art
MICA, in collaboration with The Clarice and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, is soliciting submissions for $500 Vital Signs mini grants for student artists creating work around Black Lives Matter. A panel discussion with the five award recipients is tentatively set for Feb. 24, with showcase of final works during the week of April 26.

7. Keep your healthy resolutions with RecWell
Through the new Body Pump Equipment Rental Program, you can borrow a barbell, two 2.5-pound, two 5-pound and two 10-pound weight plates and two barbell collars for at-home workouts. New and experienced Body Pumpers can take virtual fitness taught by RecWell instructors and on-demand classes from Les Mills. The Adventure Program hosts clinics, classes and rides each semester to help Terps learn technical skills and build confidence in the outdoors. Adventure Program trips are local and typically include a bike-to-play/hike format. Trained trip leaders teach the basics. Stick to your get-fit goals with virtual and in-person fitness, intramural sports or club sports offered by RecWell.

8. Register for the Terrapin Leadership Institute
The five-week Social Change Program track is designed to help participants expand their understanding of collective leadership, social change and socially responsible leadership. Registration opened on Friday. 

9. Make a difference by mentoring kids
Maryland Mentor Corps (formerly America Reads*America Counts*Partners in Print) is a partnership between the University of Maryland and Prince George's County Public Schools, providing an enriching experience—along with pay and academic credits—for college students and high-quality mentoring for elementary school students, and the local community.

10. Get creative at Studio A
Channel your inner Picasso and take a noncredit creative class. If crafting is more your speed, Studio A has DIY kits you can pick up and take home. Or work on your project in-person with friends at the large studio space, as long as your group is 10 or fewer people.

11. Terp Vets: Hit the slopes for free
Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office of Veteran Student Life can provide up to two free lift tickets and gear rentals for student veterans and a guest to Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, Pa. Fill out the form with your top two desired dates.

12. Read and chill with Graduate Student Life
Virtually lounge with fellow GradTerps for a monthly community hour or sign up for GSL’s Book Club through its social and newsletter, and get a free copy of the featured book. Finally, GradTerps can get their game faces on for Game Nights, held the first Thursdays and third Fridays monthly.