Celebrate World Car Free Day with OCSS!

For one day, leave your car at home and try riding your bike, walking, or taking public transportation.

AUTHOR: Karly Trinite, Sustainability Outreach Intern @ OCSS

For more info about D.C. events:http://www.carfreemetrodc.com/car-free-day-events.php

For more info about the OCSS shuttle tour on Sept.
20^th: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/casualcarpooling/events/19877

For more info about Transit Services: www.umbc.edu/transit

UMBC offers several transportation options such as Transit Services, Casual Carpooling, and Zipcar for those without private transportation or for those who just want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Transit services provides seven shuttles that connect you to downtown Arbutus and Catonsville, Arundel Mills Mall, shopping centers and grocery stores, apartment complexes, BWI airport, and Marc and Light Rail stations. Because the transportation fee is included in mandatory tuition and fees, boarding is free-of-cost—just swipe your red UMBC ID to ride. Transit shuttle schedules can be located online at www.umbc.edu/transit, and printed copies are available at the office of Off-Campus Student Services. All shuttles are equipped with bike racks (except the Wave ‘n Ride which loops the campus) and free WIFI. The Transit Tracker mobile application can be downloaded to smartphones or accessed on the Transit website to track the real-time location of all shuttles.

In order to get to downtown Baltimore, you can hop on the MTA #35 public bus which stops directly at UMBC. MTA public buses #77 and #99 also service the UMBC campus directly. A one-way ticket costs $1.60 and a day pass costs $3.50. Frequent MTA riders can opt to purchase a discounted student pass called the “All Access College Transit Pass” at the office of Off-Campus Student Services for $39. This pass provides unlimited access for one month on local buses, metro subway, and light rail in Maryland—Marc train and Commuter buses are not included with this pass. To purchase regular or students passes for Marc train or Commuter buses, visit the MTA website at http://mta.maryland.gov/.

If Transit Services or MTA can’t get you to your desired destination conveniently, Casual Carpooling is another option. A UMBC student carpooling community is growing online at http://my.umbc.edu/groups/casualcarpooling. Join, connect, and create a carpool using the suggestions and carpooling etiquette tips provided. A carpool social will be hosted by Off-Campus Student Services on September 11, 2013 from 12-1pm in the UC Ballroom Lounge to alleviate some of the awkwardness of carpooling with strangers for the first time. Free lunch is provided.

Students are encouraged to use a Zipcar as their carpooling vehicle. Zipcar is a car-rental service available at UMBC for students, faculty, and staff. The traditional age requirement has been waived, so Zipcar membership is open to anyone 18 years old or older. UMBC campus community members can join for $25 and immediately receive $35 in driving credit as an incentive. Driving credit must be prepaid, and it includes gas and insurance costs. Two Zipcars are parked near UMBC’s Counseling Services on Center Road. More information about Zipcar can be found at http://www.zipcar.com/umbc.

 The Baltimore Station is honored and excited to announce that they have been chosen to compete against three other nonprofits across the country in the Home Depot Aprons in Action contest this month! Aprons in Action is an online program from The Home Depot Foundation, which provides significant funds to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans.

The winner will receive $25,000 from The Home Depot Foundation, so they need your help to make sure The Baltimore Station comes out on top! Let’s help The Baltimore Station join the Ravens, Orioles and Blast to keep the winning streak alive in Baltimore!

Here’s what you can do:

1.         Go to www.baltimorestation.org/vote. This will take you to the Home Depot Aprons in Action application in Facebook.

2.         Select The Baltimore Station and VOTE!

3.         Vote once a day, every day during the month of April.

4.         Get more votes from your friends, family, neighbors and strangers!  Tell them about the contest by sharing it on your Facebook page, forwarding this email, picking up the phone and giving them a call – they need all the help they can get to win and continue supporting the veterans who need our help the most!

To win the $25,000 prize would forever impact The Baltimore Station and help improve the quality of life for the 144 homeless veterans currently in the program. If they are fortunate enough to win the prize, a team of community volunteers, program residents, donors, board members and organization staff will partner with Team Depot for a volunteer day to rejuvenate and repair many areas of the organization’s two facilities, which are the homes of veterans who are turning their lives around.

For more information, you can watch this quick video:   http://www.mediafire.com/?caen66aauyjypd4

Remember to cast your vote on Facebook once a day, every day this month so we can keep the winning streak alive in Baltimore!   I’ve also included some sample Facebook posts that you can use on your own page if you would like to share this contest with your network.  Thanks for your help and support!

Come work for us!

Off-Campus Student Services has started the hiring process for the 2013/14 academic year. Stop by the OCSS office in Suite 1A02 (Commons, first floor) and pick up an application from our Coordinator Lauren Tabbacchino. The application is also available online at myUMBC.edu; click the Documents link on the right side of the page to access the file called “Commuter Assistant Application”... or download it here!  Applications must be submitted by Feb. 28 to be considered.

What will you do as an OCSS CA?

Our CAs plan and execute events and programs, assist in a variety of office tasks and provide support and resources for all UMBC students, staff, faculty and alumni.