Off Campus Student Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is our purpose? To meet the diverse needs of students living off-campus.
What do we provide? We sponsor a wide variety of events, services, and workshops to help connect commuter students to the UMBC community. You can get a full listing of upcoming events in room 309 of the Commons. But as a sample here are a few of the projects we've been working on: Welcome Week, Commuter Awareness Week, Rideshare, Gold Card, Good Morning Commuters, Transfer Student Network, Shuttle Bus Lines, Off Campus Housing listings, and Roommate listings.
Gold Card
The Gold Card is a discount card that offers students in the surrounding off-campus community. The card is students' golden ticket to OCSS events & activities!
Benefits:
Who can have a Gold Card? ANYONE!! This deal isn't limited to commuters only, residents can make good use of the discounts at local businesses.
Where do I get a Gold Card? At the Off Campus Student Services, Room 309 of the Commons. The card is $5 is valid from September 2008 - May 2009.
Off-Campus Housing- CHECK THESE DETAILS
UMBC STUDENTS
I need “A PLACE TO LIVE!”Where do I look? OCSS offers an extensive listing of off-campus apartments listed by the various agencies, and listed by students who are looking for a roommate. Some of our listings are simply an extra room in a house, while others are full apartments that you can split between you and friends. Whatever your situation, we can help.
I need a ROOMMATE! Do you have an apartment but want to find a roommate to fill that extra room? OCSS offers listings of UMBC students who are looking for a place to live. You can drop by the office, look at their information and even make a telephone call to them, all from the same place.
Are these listings going to go out of date? We ask all people who use our listings to notify us as soon as the vacancy is filled or the student has found a place to live. You can give us a call at x52770 (410 455 2770) and we will remove the listing so all our records are up to date!
What's this going to cost me?Since you're a UMBC student OCSS offers all of these services for free!
Non-UMBC Student?
Can I advertise a room or apartment complex? If you are looking to advertise a room for rent, or an apartment listing, OCSS is more then happy to post your information.
What's it going to cost me? We do ask for a small posting fee to cover the cost of updating your listing regularly. If you are an individual who is looking to post information on a room or a sub-leased apartment. We only ask for a $25 fee. If you are a corporate entity we ask for $150. The listing is good for 6 months and we will call halfway through to update your prices and availability. With the volume of students that stop by these fees are very moderate!
What is Rideshare?
Rideshare is a priority parking program to encourage commuters to carpool to campus. Commuters who carpool can apply at the beginning of each semester for a special Priority Parking Permit which allows them to park in Priority Parking located north of the Fine Arts Building. Priority Parking Permits are based off the number of carpoolers and their individual schedules.
What do I get? Awardees will be given permits and assigned time slots when they can use Priority Parking. Please apply at Off-Campus Student Services, Room 309 in the Commons. Thanks!
When do you apply? Please submit an application along with a copy of your myUMBC Schedule at the beginning of each semester. Rideshare deadline dates are set at the beginning of the semester, so please check with us at Off-Campus Student Services Room 309, in the Commons.
(Compiled by Liz Mendoza and Jenn Hudson)