UMBC-isms

by David Hoffman and Craig Berger

Last month we published a list of Maryland-isms, which generated some great conversation about things that are perfectly normal in Maryland but almost nowhere else (which you might not have known if you had lived in Maryland all your life). Now let's apply the same treatment to UMBC.

We all know that UMBC has been named the #1 up-and-coming national university by U.S. News & World Report four years running. And there's the quirkiness of having a champion chess team (and Cricket Club and Mini Baja team) but no football team. But what else makes UMBC, UMBC?

Here are a few examples to get us started. At universities other than UMBC, it would be very unusual to find ...

1. one of the most popular organizations on campus has the motto "Survive as a human. Hunt as a zombie." 
2. a tradition of not scheduling any classes during three "free hours" each week to ensure that students have time to connect and student organizations to meet;
3. a heavily-used building has been left with no name, just a number, for more than 30 years (we're looking at you, Academic IV);
4. a 24/7 study space has been created because students insisted that they wanted to spend more time more comfortably immersed in academics;
5. a campus internet portal (MyUMBC) serves as both an information source and a meeting ground for students to share news, talk about issues and even initiate action for change;
6. the SGA is nationally recognized as "a model for governments at every level to learn from" because it serves so effectively as a catalyst for students' contributions to campus life;
7. so many examples of a deep and inclusive commitment to innovation in teaching and in contributing to our communities and democracy;
8. so many free t-shirts, and so many students so eager to get one;
9. a post about squirrels has become one of the most "pawpular" campus social media posts of all time;
10. the university President has been recognized as one of the planet's most influential leaders, yet you've probably seen him around campus, and if he has met you he remembers your name and where you went to high school.

Co-Create UMBC is a blog for and about UMBC, written by David Hoffman and Craig Berger from the Office of Student Life. Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC. Like Co-Create UMBC on Facebook. And follow David and Craig on Twitter.

1. A university President widely acknowledged as one of the world's best leaders who is also treasured by students

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