Our Communities

Furniture

• All bedrooms include the following:
  • XL Twin Bed & Mattress
  • Desk & Desk Chair
  • Wardrobe or Dresser & Closet
  • Blinds
  • Shower Curtain
  • Carpeted Flooring
• All living rooms come furnished with the following:
  • Sofa and/or sofa chairs, coffee table & end tables OR
  • Study table and chairs
• All apartment kitchens include the following:
  • Electric stove & oven
  • Full-size refrigerator
  • Sink & cabinets

Bedloft

UMBC has contracted with BedLoft so that you may purchase a loft for your bed! Bedlofts are an affordable and convenient way to create more space in your residence hall room. The additional living space will provide a more comfortable environment and will free up space for other items, such as a futon, desk and more. To place your order visit www.bedloft.com. To guarantee availability and have your product delivered to your room by move-in day orders should be placed before August 1.

To view product details, photos, pricing, and place your order please visit www.bedloft.com.

Microfridge Rentals

Microwaves are not permitted in residential rooms. Microwaves are allowed in residential apartments only.  You may, however, rent a MicroFridge (Mircowave/Refridgerator combination) from from MyFridgeRental.  Please note that only one Microfridge unit is allowed per residential room so in many cases roommates split the cost of the rental for the academic year.

To view product details, photos and pricing please visit www.MyFridgeRental.com

Television

UMBC works with Comcast Xfinity to provide IPTV. Students can use the streaming service both on and off campus on their laptop or mobile device with a UMBC login. Students can also DVR up to 20 hours of television. In order to utilize this service directly through a  television, you must have a 2017 Samsung TV (or newer) or a Roku. You can always elect to connect your laptop or mobile device to your television via HDMI or a mirroring service. To start streaming visit https://www.xfinityoncampus.com, select UMBC, and log in.

Internet

Internet access is available in each resident’s room or apartment; one high-speed internet jack per student is included. Wireless access is available in all common areas and rooms. Internet on campus is provided by Comcast at a speed of 100Mbps Down/100Mbps Up. Additional information is available by accessing UMBC’s Division of of Information Technology (DoIT) homepage: www.umbc.edu/oit. Select “Purchasing a Computer” for “Student Purchases.”

All washers and dryers are free to operate. Laundry facilities are available in all residential areas:

• In the residence halls, laundry rooms are located in the basement or ground floor.
• West Hill, Terrace, and Hillside laundry is available in the Apartment Community Center and in Elk.
• Each apartment in Walker Avenue Apartments has its own washer and dryer.
• Check the status of a laundry machine

Quick Laundry References

• Laundry 101
• Green is Clean
• Detergent 101
• Machine Broken, What Now?
• Damaged Clothing Claim

Dining & Meal Plans

Dining plans are designed to accommodate the diverse needs of our students. After signing up for a dining plan, use your student ID to access your dining plan at True Grit’s, The Commons, the AOK. Library, the University Center, or the Administration building Coffee Shoppe. Students on any of our meal plans can take advantage of the meal exchange option. With this option, students can “trade” a meal at The Commons Market Street, The Commons Retriever Lounge, the University Center, and the AOK Library.

Flex plans allow you to use the allotted number of meals  any way you choose during the week. The week runs from Monday breakfast through Sunday late night. Flex plans allow you to eat more than one meal per meal period. For example, eating lunch at 11 a.m., and a second meal at 3:30 p.m. would place both meals in the lunch meal period. You can swap unused meals for cash allowance toward a la carte purchases at numerous locations around campus. Meal exchanges in the Outtakes C-Store at True Grit’s will be limited to one meal per meal period.

For more information about meal plans visit https://www.dineoncampus.com/UMBC

Vending Machines

Vending machines are located in the lobby of each residence hall and in the laundry room of each apartment area. Machines are operated by an outside vendor through the Food Services office and include beverage and snack machines. For problems or refunds contact Campus Card and Mail Services located in the University Center (UC).

Ice

Ice is available free of charge for your personal use at your community lobby or laundry room. No large coolers please.

Community Kitchens

Communal kitchens are located in our halls and suites for students to use.  These spaces are stocked with basic pots and pans at the beginning of the academic year.  The kitchens are cleaned daily by our custodial staff. Students who choose to utilize these kitchens and the provided cookware to prepare food are expected to:

• Clean and sanitize items after use. Dish soap will be provided to ensure students are able to clean the items.
• Return dried items to the location in which they found them.
• Ensure that any spills or any other mess is cleaned.

Residential students are welcome to have mail and standard packages delivered directly to their residential community. All residents are assigned a mailbox and combination that they will share with their roommate(s). If residents have misplaced their combination they can ask their Community Desk for assistance.

Addressing Mail & Packages

Mail should be addressed like the example below to avoid delays or loss:

Mail and packages that are not addressed for a current residential student and/or a residential facility may be refused by staff at Campus Card & Mail Services, Central Receiving, or Residential Life community desks.

Please encourage people who send letters or packages to have them registered, certified, and/or insured. “C.O.D” letters or packages are not accepted at the desks.

For more information about Mail & Packages delivery please visit our Housing Procedures page.

Housekeeping

All housekeeping performed within the Office of Residential Life is facilitated by an independently contracted company.  The housekeepers are responsible for the following:

• Routine cleaning in common and public spaces
• Trash collection
• Cleaning prior to opening and after closing
• Emergency after-hours clean up
• Other duties as assigned

If there is a housekeeping-related concern in any public area that requires immediate attention, it should be reported directly to the UMBC FXIT line 410-455-3948.

Residents are responsible for the cleanliness of individual rooms, suite common rooms,  bathrooms and kitchens in apartments. Health and safety inspections occur twice a semester.  UMBC housekeeping staff are responsible for study lounges, residence hall lobbies, community bathrooms, laundry rooms, hallways and stairwells.  Concerns regarding housekeeping issues should be directed to Residential Life Facilities at 410-455-3948.

Toilet Tissue

Toilet tissue is available to hall and apartment residents free of charge at all desks.

Vacuum Cleaners

In the residence communities vacuum cleaners may be checked out from your desk with a valid UMBC ID.

Maintenance Concerns

Students can report facilities concerns through our FXIT system.

Extermination Cycles

Residential Life employs a professional pest control company for regularly scheduled evaluations of the residential communities.  Extermination occurs every week. Residents are notified in advance before extermination begins.  Students with specific concerns should contact the FXIT line (5-3948) directly. Products used are water-based and non-toxic. Maintenance assistants also help regulate minor pest control problems.

Recycling and Green Initiatives

Residential Life works with other University offices and student groups to promote sustainability and good environmental stewardship. Some examples are:

• Reduce: All of our facilities use energy efficient lighting. During recent renovations and construction, we have used energy efficient windows and HVAC systems.
• Reuse: Instead of disposing in a landfill, much of our surplus furniture is processed through the Terrapin Trader to be resold to students, staff, and the general public. Surplus building materials like drywall, paint, kitchen appliances, etc. are donated to a local charity called The Loading Dock (www.loadingdock.org) that  the products to other local charities at greatly reduced rates. Landfill space and fees are saved and local charities receive needed supplies.
• Recycle: Aluminum, glass, and plastic recycling is available in all residential communities. In the apartment there is a single source recycling container located next to the dumpsters. Paper recycling is available in some of the residence halls, usually in each floor lounge.

For more information about campus environmental issues and to get involved, please see Student for Environmental Awareness.

Our community desks serve as a key component for the exchanging of information and resources for students and visitors.

Each community has a 24 hour desk, staffed by fellow UMBC students, that provides various services and resources for residents.  Services include but are not limited to: mail and packages, guest check-in, supporting with lockouts, and equipment borrowing.

For more information about Community Desk services and procedures please visit our Housing Procedures page.