CINXE.COM
Orientation | Department of Resident Life
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="keywords" content="Department of Resident Life, University of Maryland, Housing, Residents, UMD, reslife umd, umd edu, Dorm, MD, UMD, College Park, Campus" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://reslife.umd.edu/campus-life/orientation" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Department of Resident Life" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://reslife.umd.edu/campus-life/orientation | https://reslife.umd.edu/" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Orientation | Department of Resident Life" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://reslife.umd.edu/sites/default/files/2022-11/resident-life-umd-social-open-graph.jpg" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/contrib/umd_terp/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <script src="/sites/default/files/google_tag/reslife_2023/google_tag.script.js?sndma3" defer></script> <title>Orientation | Department of Resident Life</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_g9cxNmopfQOlr6D4PKljYeHme2556gosyDuDiFrhaiE.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=umd_terp&include=eJxFyEEKwDAIBMAPhfiksKIkBdOKxkN_32PnOPnm0U2M1FZbxtFwmvYwrDkCM-ArSaIc1v_pdXuxXblUPpeoGtA" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_LOimOodN0zWpv9BD5mOreX0F-ZQiYwvIY5Ld36AOlRw.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=umd_terp&include=eJxFyEEKwDAIBMAPhfiksKIkBdOKxkN_32PnOPnm0U2M1FZbxtFwmvYwrDkCM-ArSaIc1v_pdXuxXblUPpeoGtA" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_Xdfgnl7_uTe3k7eD87WI29ZFfHsrbIcz5D3CopjZFyQ.css?delta=2&language=en&theme=umd_terp&include=eJxFyEEKwDAIBMAPhfiksKIkBdOKxkN_32PnOPnm0U2M1FZbxtFwmvYwrDkCM-ArSaIc1v_pdXuxXblUPpeoGtA" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com/" crossorigin> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Crimson+Text:400,400i,600,600i|Source+Sans+Pro:200,200i,300,300i,400,400i,600,600i,700,700i,900,900i&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <script> document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); if (!!window.MSInputMethodContext && !!document.documentMode) { document.documentElement.classList.add('is-ie11'); } </script> </head> <body class="path--campus-life--orientation internal"> <a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable"> Skip to main content </a> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-KPK5L49" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <header class="site-header site-header-light"> <div class="site-header__bar max-bound"> <a class="site-header__logo" href="/"> <img src="/sites/default/files/resident-life-logo_0.png" alt="Department of Resident Life logo"> </a> <a href="#site-header-nav" class="site-header__nav-toggle" id="site-header-nav-toggle" tabindex="0" role="button" aria-label="Main Menu" aria-controls="site-header-nav"> <span aria-hidden="true" class="site-header__nav-icon"> <span role="presentation"></span> <span role="presentation"></span> <span role="presentation"></span> <span role="presentation"></span> </span> <span class="sr-only">Main Menu</span> </a> <nav class="site-header__nav" id="site-header-nav" aria-labelledby="site-header-nav-toggle"> <ul> <li> <a href="/about-us" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/103">About Us</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/about-us/vision-mission-values" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/90">Vision, Mission, & Values</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/directors-welcome" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/173">Director's Welcome</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/diversity" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/320">DEIJ Commitment</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/resident-life-staff" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/57">Staff Directory</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/res-life-scholarships" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/312">Res Life Scholarships</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/contact-us" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/104">Contact Us</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/99">Terp Housing</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/apply" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/318">Apply for Housing</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/rates-fees" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/174">Rates & Fees</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/room-layouts-tours" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/175">Room Layouts & Tours</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/residence-halls" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/97">Residence Halls</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/additional-housing-options" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/177">Additional Housing Options</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/programs-communities" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/314">Programs & Communities</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/moving-breaks" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/287">Moving & Breaks</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/mail-packages" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/135">Mail & Packages</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/maintenance-repairs" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/300">Maintenance & Repairs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/dates" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/121">Important Dates</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/safety-resources" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/282">Safety & Resources</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/safety-resources/community-living-handbook" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/295">Community Living Handbook</a> </li> <li> <a href="/safety-resources/safety-security" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/324">Safety & Security</a> </li> <li> <a href="/safety-resources/policies" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/283">Alcohol, Fire & Other Policies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/safety-resources/health-wellness" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/299">Health & Wellness</a> </li> <li> <a href="/safety-resources/student-rights-responsibilities" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/301">Student Rights & Responsibilities</a> </li> <li> <a href="/safety-resources/sustainability-resources" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/297">Sustainability Resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="/safety-resources/academic-success" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/306">Academic Success</a> </li> <li> <a href="/safety-resources/assistance-support-animals" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/372">Assistance & Support Animals</a> </li> <li> <a href="/gold-code" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/344">Gold Code</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/280">Campus Life</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/campus-life/dining-plans" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/281">Dining Plans</a> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life/campus-map" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/305">Campus Map</a> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life/get-involved" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/303">Get Involved</a> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life/orientation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/302" class="is-active" aria-current="page">Orientation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life/things-do-umd" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/304">Things to do at UMD</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="/join-our-team" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/284">Join Our Team</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/join-our-team/undergraduate-student-employment" title="Undergraduate Student Employment with Resident Life" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/285">Undergraduate Employment</a> </li> <li> <a href="/join-our-team/graduate-employment" title="Graduate Positions with Resident Life" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/336">Graduate Employment</a> </li> <li> <a href="/join-our-team/staff-openings" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/291">Staff Openings</a> </li> <li> <a href="/join-our-team/alumni-network" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/292">Res Life Alumni Network</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a href="https://starrez.umd.edu/" target="_blank">Housing Portal</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </header> <main id="main-content"> <div class="container page-content"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <div class="row justify-content-center"> <div class="col-800-3"> <div class="gtranslate_wrapper"> </div><script>window.gtranslateSettings = {"default_language":"en","languages":["en","fr","de","it","es"],"wrapper_selector":".gtranslate_wrapper"}</script><script src="https://cdn.gtranslate.net/widgets/latest/dropdown.js" defer></script> <nav class="subnav" aria-label="Sidebar"> <ul> <li class="subnav-parent"> <a href="/campus-life"><span class="icon icon-chevron-right" aria-hidden="true"></span>Campus Life</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/campus-life/dining-plans" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/281">Dining Plans</a> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life/campus-map" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/305">Campus Map</a> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life/get-involved" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/303">Get Involved</a> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life/orientation" aria-current="page" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/302" class="is-active"><span class="visually-hidden">The Current Page is </span>Orientation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/campus-life/things-do-umd" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/304">Things to do at UMD</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="col-800-9"> <nav aria-label="Breadcrumb"> <ol class="breadcrumb"> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/campus-life">Campus Life</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item breadcrumb--active" aria-current="page">Orientation</li> </ol> </nav> <div data-history-node-id="302"> <div class="editor-content"> <h1>Orientation</h1> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_image_with_text"> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2895"> <figure aria-label="image with caption" role="group" class="align-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2022-10/open-house-orientation.jpg?itok=Iq6e_muj" alt="group of parents and prospective students listening to tour guide in a residence hall"> </figure> <p>Congratulations on becoming part of the Terrapin family! We are so happy you will be joining us. </p> <p>This is an exciting time for you and your families and we are here to help make this a smooth transition for all. We are committed to providing an impactful, meaningful, and safe experience for students living in our residence halls. We highlighted a few key aspects to help you learn more about on-campus living below. </p> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_divider"> <div> <hr class="divider spacing-large rule-none" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2896"> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_card_group"> <div class="card-group-bg card-group-bg-default" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2888"> <div class="card-group"> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2882"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2022-10/mixed-gender-students-room.jpg?itok=TvSdzSw4" alt="four students hanging out in residence hall room"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">Step Into Your New Home </h2> <div class="card-text"><p>Read our step into your new home brochure to learn all you need to know about residence hall life.</p></div> <a href="https://go.umd.edu/StepBrochure-2024-2025" class="card-cta fancy-link" target="_self"> View brochure </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2883"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2022-09/BIGShow2.jpg?itok=KAG_qsx7" alt="three students posing in front of Maryland Made mural in the football stadium"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">Orientation Video</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>Watch our previous orientation video for a tour of the residence halls and information about the assignments and moving processes.</p></div> <a href="https://youtu.be/ZCjeTGLcCTg" class="card-cta fancy-link" target="_self"> Watch orientation video </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2884"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2022-09/IMG_6824.JPG?itok=w5iD_YEG" alt="student holding coffee mug sitting in bed and turned sideways"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">Room Layouts</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>Take a peek into our residence hall rooms with our 360 virtual tours feature.</p></div> <a href="/terp-housing/room-layouts-tours" class="card-cta fancy-link" target="_self"> Room layouts & tours </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2885"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2022-01/assignment.jpg?itok=emvHFYcA" alt="student with parents talking to a ResLife staff member"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">Housing Assignment</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>Learn about the housing assignment and room/roommate selection processes.</p></div> <a href="/terp-housing/apply" class="card-cta fancy-link" target="_self"> Applying for Housing </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2886"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2022-09/IMG_2339_0.JPG?itok=jCVWqFtD" alt="students waiting with personal belongings for elevator during move-in day"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">Planning for Your Arrival</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>Review what items to bring, what to expect from roommate relationships, and how you might decorate your room.</p></div> <a href="/terp-housing/moving-breaks/move" class="card-cta fancy-link" target="_self"> Before Move-In </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2887"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2022-10/fearless-wall-students.jpg?itok=fCrYV-aW" alt="two students in a lounge with a decorative mural in the background"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">Policies & Resources</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>Look over our Community Living Handbook to understand your rights and responsibilities and learn about our safety policies and resources.</p></div> <a href="/safety-resources/community-living-handbook" class="card-cta fancy-link" target="_self"> Community Living Handbook </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_divider"> <div> <hr class="divider spacing-large rule-small" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2889"> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_text"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2890"> <h2>Orientation Sessions</h2> <p>Our partners in the Office of Student Orientation and Transition provide several orientation programs for new students and families. Visit the <a href="https://orientation.umd.edu/">Orientation website</a> for dates and schedules. </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_button_set"> <div class="btn-set" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2893"> <a href="https://orientation.umd.edu/first-year-orientation" class="btn btn-primary" target="_self"> First-Year New Student Orientation </a> <a href="https://orientation.umd.edu/transfer-new-student-orientation" class="btn btn-primary" target="_self"> Transfer New Student Orientation </a> <a href="https://orientation.umd.edu/family-orientation" class="btn btn-primary" target="_self"> Family Orientation </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="site-footer" aria-label="Main"> <div class="site-footer-main"> <div class="max-bound"> <nav class="site-footer-nav" aria-label="Footer"> <ul> <li> <a href="/about-us" title="About the Department of Resident Life" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/103">About</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/apply" title="Apply for Housing at the University of Maryland" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/318">Apply</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing" title="Terp Housing Page - Step Into Your New Home at UMD " data-drupal-link-system-path="node/99">Terp Housing</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://starrez.umd.edu/" title="Login to the Housing Portal - Resident Life, University of Maryland">Housing Portal</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/contact-us" title="Contact the Department of Resident Life" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/104">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/articles/site-map" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/366">Site Map</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="site-footer-about"> <div class="site-footer-logo"> <img src="/sites/default/files/dsa-drl-footer-logo.png" alt="Department of Resident Life footer logo"> </div> <div class="site-footer-address"> <strong>Department of Resident Life</strong><br> <span>7626 Regents Drive, 2101 Annapolis Hall, College Park, MD 20742</span><br> <a aria-label="3013142100" href="tel:+3013142100">301-314-2100</a> <span aria-hidden="true"> 路 </span> <a href="mailto:reslife@umd.edu">reslife@umd.edu</a> </div> <div class="site-footer-social"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/umdreslife" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Twitter</span> <span class="icon icon-twitter" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UMDreslife" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Facebook</span> <span class="icon icon-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/UMDReslife/" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Instagram</span> <span class="icon icon-instagram" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/umdreslife" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Youtube</span> <span class="icon icon-youtube" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-footer-legal"> <div class="max-bound"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://umd.edu" target="_blank">UMD.edu</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/web-accessibility">Web Accessibility</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/privacy-notice" target="_blank">Privacy Notice</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> <a href="#" class="back-to-top">Back to Top</a> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/302","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"8d6e40ea470fa682f3e79d63956245e7152d8aaae4503f8aec2658ad9a734c20"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_EnscVg7pLPOKwIsyUs1890r_P1kkHeZ6sL0DQVYei4c.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=umd_terp&include=eJwrzU2JL0ktKtBPz8lPSszRKQXyi5Mz8vNzyjNTUuMzUhNTUov0QaIQJgDTjxMI"></script> <script src="https://umd-header.umd.edu/build/bundle.js?search=1&search_domain=reslife&events=0&news=0&schools=0&admissions=0&support=0&support_url=&wrapper=&sticky=0"></script> </body> </html>