Post-Orientation Steps
Welcome to UMBC!
Much of the information included below is covered at the orientation for new graduate students. If you miss the orientation program, you are responsible for taking care of these matters yourself.
Activate your UMBC ID card in the Library
Learn about UMBC’s Shuttle Bus services
Obtain a parking permit
Open a bank account
Locate your classrooms
Purchase textbooks
Submit a Health History form and enroll in the university health insurance plan
Pay invoices for tuition and fees
Notify Registrar’s Office of new address
Learn about the Academic Integrity Web-Based Tutorial
Read and understand degree requirements and the Graduate School grading and unit system
Read UMBC policies that govern your studies, research, and life on campus
Visit the Graduate Student Association and Graduate Student Life Offices
Visit the UMBC website
Learn about the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. region
Obtain a university ID card
Student identification/cash cards are issued by the Communications Services office located in the University Center, first floor. The Office has a list of all new students. They will take your picture and issue the ID card immediately. You will be unable to obtain this card unless you have notified the Graduate School that you are planning to attend UMBC.
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Activate your UMBC ID card in the Library
Information about the library can be found on the library's website.
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Learn about the Shuttle Bus service
Copies of shuttle bus schedules and routes can be obtained at the Information Center in the lobby of The Commons and on the UMBC Transit website. Especially if you do not have an automobile, this will be your major mode of transportation around the campus and surrounding areas. To ride the shuttle you must have evidence that you are a registered UMBC student (a student ID or initially a copy of your class registration schedule which you can get online through myUMBC). Temporary Shuttle passes are available for use before you are registered.
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Obtain a parking permit
If you drive to campus, you must obtain a parking permit. This permit will enable you to park in the student parking lots and roadways on the campus. Cars without a parking hanger will be ticketed unless parked in the metered spaces. You may register your vehicle online and arrange for the permit either to be picked up at Parking Services (Physical Plant Shops, Room 100) or mailed to your residence. Access myUMBC and follow the automobile registration instructions.
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Open a bank account
The financial institutions that are most convenient to UMBC are the following:
Chevy Chase Bank maintains a branch office in The Commons (first floor). M&T Bank has an ATM on campus and a branch in the Maiden Choice Shopping Center, near the campus and on the UMBC shuttle route.
AllFirst Bank has a branch in Catonsville, at 705 Frederick Road, which is on the UMBC shuttle route. They do not have an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) on campus, although you can access an AllFirst account through an other bank’s ATM for a fee.
The State Employees Credit Union (SECU) has an ATM machine on campus at the University Center, but there are no branches nearby that are accessible without a car.
International students: Most banks will require that you have a Social Security number (SSN) before they will allow you to open a new account. AllFirst and Chevy Chase will allow you to use your student ID until you obtain a SSN.
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Locate your classrooms
Find the location of your classrooms before the first day of classes. Campus maps are available at the Information Center in the lobby of The Commons and online.
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Purchase textbooks
Textbooks are sold in the UMBC Bookstore located on the first floor of The Commons. If you need to return an unused book, you must provide a Bookstore sales receipt.
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Submit the Health History Form and enroll in the university health insurance plan
Students who are not already covered under another health insurance plan are strongly encouraged to enroll in the university-sponsored plan. International students are required to enroll. Both insurance and health history forms may be obtained from and returned to University Health Services, located on the ground floor of Erickson Hall.
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There is a separate insurance plan available for graduate research and teaching assistants. UHS staff will be attending several departmental orientation sessions and will hold information sessions in the Graduate Student Association office, third floor, The Commons.
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Pay the invoices for tuition and fees before the due date
Tuition and fees may be paid by mail or in person at the Bursar’s Office on the third floor of the Administration Building, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. You may use a credit card to make payments online through myUMBC using EBPP (Electronic Bill & Payment Presentation). Late fees are expensive!
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Notify the Registrar’s Office of your new address
If your local mailing address will be different from the one currently on file with the Registrar’s Office, fill out a change-of-address form available from the Registrar. You may also update your address through the personal information section of myUMBC. This is essential to avoid incurring a late fee because your bills were sent to a previous address! Change-of-address forms should be submitted anytime your mailing address changes throughout your time at UMBC.
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Learn about the Academic Integrity Web-Based Tutorial
Before the end of the second semester at UMBC, each new graduate student will be required to take and pass the Academic Integrity Web-Based Tutorial. You should read the definitions, examples, and explanations within the various tutorial "chapters."
It is, in effect, "Academic Integrity 101." Each academic discipline has its own variations to the policies, definitions, and examples presented here. Students are encouraged to delve more deeply into the topics outlined in this tutorial by reading some of the references presented in the final chapter, Bibliography and Additional Reading. You are also encouraged to consult with faculty in your department for exceptions, modifications, and additional requirements demanded by your particular discipline.
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Read and understand degree requirements and the Graduate School grading and unit system
Early in the semester read the sections of the Graduate School Catalog that describe requirements for master’s and doctoral degrees and that explain our complicated grading, course numbering, and unit system.
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Read and become familiar with the university policies that will govern your studies, research, and life on campus
You can find more information on the Institutional Review Board (governing research on human subjects), Sexual Misconduct and Graduate School Policies. Attend the monthly Success Seminars for crucial information.
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Visit the Graduate Student Association & Graduate Student Life Offices
The GSA and OGSL are located in The Commons (room 308) and offer a number of services to graduate students.
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Visit the UMBC website
Much information of interest to graduate students is available on the UMBC website, so you should check out especially the Student Link for information about campus safety, events and resources.
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Learn about the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. region
The Baltimore/Washington area can be overwhelming because of the wealth of events, museums, shopping malls, restaurants, theatres and other cultural opportunities. Check out the Baltimore Collegetown Network for an overview of Baltimore and the Maryland Transit System.
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