Funded Projects
Spring 2024
- Iris Photo Booth -- $16,000
This proposal seeks to provide UMD students with on-demand access to professional-quality headshots, crucial for building a professional online profile and for use in job applications, internships and networking. The Iris photo booth will be located within the University of Maryland Career Center, situated in the Hornbake Library.
- Washington Quad Lighting -- $73,066
This proposal seeks to enhance the Washington Quad's recreation area by installing high-intensity, targeted area lighting, similar to LaPlata Beach, to increase wellness benefits, social life, and overall utilization of the space after sunset.
- ARHU FSK & TLF Corridor -- $20,000
The College of Arts and Humanities seeks to create a study space in the corridor between Francis Scott Key and Taliaferro Hall to provide an inviting lounge space for students and visitors of the two buildings.
- Architecture Building, Ground Floor Lobby Renovation -- $52,000
This proposal seeks to create a modern, collaborative student lounge, which will modernize the current lobby and provide a comfortable lounge space for students.
- Campus Bikeways: Paint Branch Dr Cycle Track Pilot -- $150,000
This proposal will implement the Campus Bikeways Pilot project for an in-road cycle track on Paint Branch Dr between University Boulevard and Regents Dr This project will add a bike lane to the Paint Branch Drive gateway at a relatively low cost without disrupting the curb line. This project will reduce three travel lanes to two, creating space for a two-way protected bike lane. The bike lane will be constructed in a way that it can revert back to vehicular traffic as needed for athletic events.
- Campus Bikeways: Phase 1.1 -- $860,000
This proposal will provide design for phase 1.1 of the Campus Bikeways Project, a planning initiative that will establish a network of re-designed streets and shared-use paths for bicyclists, micromobility users, and pedestrians along side motor vehicles. Phase 1.1 will be focused on creating a proper complete street through lot 1 and Z in coordination with the Purple Line construction to improve safety of pedestrians, micromobility users and vehicles
Fall 2023
- Research Greenhouse: Aquaponics Teaching Research and Community Engagement -- $70,000
This proposal seeks additional funding for the completion of the aquaponics greenhouse which will serve students and faculty with opportunities in teaching and research, community engagement and entrepreneurship in sustainable food production.
- McKeldin Study Rooms -- $110,000
This proposal seeks to renovate and soundproof 86 individual study rooms on the upper floors of McKeldin Library, providing central and safe spaces for learning and research. Because the rooms are currently not soundproofed they are inadequate for privacy, taking zoom classes or for concentrated research and study.
- QUEST Lab Space -- $15,934
This proposal seeks to revamp the QUEST lab space in Van Munching Hall to create a dynamic, collaborative and modern environment for students. This renovation would include movable whiteboards, updated furniture, improved event materials and adaptable technology for virtual meetings.
- Creating Community & Informal Learning Spaces in Academic Buildings -- $440,000
This proposal seeks to provide enhancements to three existing public informal learning spaces in high-use academic buildings to create collaborative study and lounge spaces for use by undergraduate and graduate students.
Chemistry Building- 2nd level atrium study and lounge space ($160K)
Jimenez Hall- New student lounge ($190k)
LeFrak Hall- Upgrade existing main lobby space ($90k)
- American Meteorological Society (AMS) Broadcasting Room -- $2,896
This proposal seeks to provide a broadcasting room that will enhance student's science communication skills through the use of professional weather forecasts and to communicate weather information to the broader UMD community about weather and climate.
Spring 2023
- Lefrak Lactation Rooms -- $6,000
This proposal seeks additional funding for the renovation of Lefrak lactation rooms.
- Campus Creek Restoration-Phase 2 -- $300,000
This project will continue the stream restoration work on Campus Creek that was successfully complete with Phase 1. An additional 2,300ft of Campus Creek will be restored along with renewal of the animal sciences pond.
- Climbing Wall at Eppley Recreation Center -- $246,400
Build a 1,400sqft indoor climbing wall that will replace 2 racquetball courts.
- The Clarice -- $26,000
This proposal seeks to provide a more comfortable and functional lounge/ event space for students in The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, room 3301.
Fall 2022
- Renovation of St. Mary's Garden -- $17,615.78
Proposal seeks to make the St. Mary’s Garden more inviting, more accessible (for all wishing to experience the garden/ to visitors and volunteers with mobility issues), more relevant to its surroundings, safer for garden visitors and volunteers, and more 1 accommodating for events and campus tours. Overall, our aim is to modify our garden to better utilize its existing space, so everyone can benefit from this public greenspace.
- Creating Community and Informational Learning Spaces in Academic Buildings -- $190,000
Proposal seeks to provide enhancements to four existing public informal learning spaces in high-use academic billings to create student lounge, collaboration, and study space for use by undergraduate and graduate students.
- CNC Router -- $36,360
Proposal seeks to increase accessibility to CNC machining while expanding the capabilities of the instructional wood technology shop in its mission to enable the UMD community to reach its highest creative and technical potential.
Spring 2022
- Memorial Chapel Dialogue and Conversation Garden -- $240,614
Proposal seeks to secure funding for a new Memorial Chapel Dialogue and Conversation Garden to the West of Memorial Chapel. This garden will be used to support dialogue and interface with all individuals on campus while also integrating modern-day needs of peace building, support self-reflection, and strengthen campus engagement.
- Amateur Radio -- $91,950
Proposal seeks funding to repair and replace damaged equipment (towers, antennas, coaxial cable, weatherproofing material) on the roof of the South Campus Dining Hal as well as any inside equipment that may need repair.
Fall 2021
- Bedmill for wider Adoption of Subtractive Manufacturing at A. James Clark Hall, Room 1119 -- $61,285
Students seeking advanced subtractive fabrication capabilities have limited campus facilities that allow them access and training to equipment proposed. The purpose of this project is to increase the machining capabilities of Terrapin Works and empower students and the UMD community to continue creating, expanding in research, and spreading manufacturing
knowledge and skills. This project will also help train students more readily in CNC operation and bridge the gap between manual and CNC machining for students and staff.
- Benjamin Building (143) – Lobby 1196 Enhancements -- $100,000
Scope includes: 1) Creating a new lounge space; 2) Adding soft seating, tables and chairs for use and study; 3) Adding laptop bar with integrated power; 4) Adding an articulating glass wall to the adjacent classroom that can be opened for larger functions.
- Student Activities Building (162), 1st Floor -- $500,000
One of five on-campus ceteres envisioned, the vision is to create an exciting, open, and inclusive gathering space which celebrates and promotes diversity at UMD. Creating space for specific communities sends a powerful message to all students about the University’s commitment to supporting the success of underrepresented students. Renovation scope
includes: 1) gathering lounge or “living room” type space for approximately 20-25 students; 2) one associated office for each center; and, 3) space for a central and common reception area to include a kitchen space where meals can be prepared and shared. Adjacent to the space will be existing men’s, women’s and gender inclusive restrooms.
Spring 2021
- Musallah Prayer Space (Cole Student Activities Building) (162), Room 0204 -- $1,900
Request funding for additional items that will benefit students engaging in prayer and meditation. The items will help students maintain a hygienic, welcoming, peaceful, accessible and aesthetically pleasing environment in the newly renovated space.
- Benjamin Building (143) – South-End, Main Lobby Enhancements -- $100,000
1) Creating a new lounge space; 2) Adding soft seating, tables and chairs foruse and study; 3) Adding laptop bar with integrated power; 4) Adding an articulating glass wall to the adjacent classroom that can be openedfor larger functions.
- Research Geeenhouses (398): Acquaponics Teaching Research and Community Engagement Center -- $90,000
Complete the construction implementation of the Acquaponics Greenhouse that will serve students and faculty for opportunities in: Teaching and Research; Community Engagement; and, Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Food Production
Fall 2020
Campus Creek Restoration Project: Phase 2 - $115,000
After years of coordination, study, design, and permitting, the initial stream restoration construction on Campus Creek was completed in October 2019 from the culvert at University Boulevard to the School of Public Health. Although the project had a long history and faced many difficult challenges, the project was a success on many levels. Multiple stages of collaboration and partnerships made the project possible and could not have been completed without the assistance and support from many stakeholders. This unique natural resource feature of the university is an amenity that benefits the entire campus community and beyond. In addition to research and education opportunities for faculty and students to study an active stream ecosystem on campus, it provides aesthetic and recreational benefits for the general UMD student population and visitors, as well as sediment and nutrient reduction for the Anacostia watershed and Chesapeake Bay. To continue with this work and to fully restore the entire stream, this proposal requests support and funding to complete the stream restoration on the remaining degraded downstream reach of Campus Creek to the confluence with Paint Branch.
Community Learning Garden Restoration - $8,167
The UMD Community Learning Garden (CLG) is an open gardening space between Eppley and SPH that is open to all students, staff, and faculty on our campus. As a student-led organization, we hold weekly work hours where prospective gardeners can socialize, plant seeds, harvest vegetables, and learn various gardening skills. Our proposed renovation to the CLG makes it more inviting, more accommodating for classes, and safer for garden visitors and volunteers. Our proposed changes include pergola-shaded seating that can fit class sizes and protect garden visitors from excessive heat. Along the same lines, we hope to improve safety by adding defined stone pathways to navigate the garden, and by improving produce hygiene with several storage additions. Lastly, our proposal includes design changes such as entrance archways, so that the garden appears more inviting as a student space. Overall, these modifications allow the garden to better utilize its existing space, such that the UMD community can enjoy the CLG as a safe, welcoming outdoor area.
Menstrual Product Dispensers - $7,500
Providing free menstrual products in academic buildings will allow the University of Maryland to eliminate health and education barriers that those who menstruate face. According to a survey the Student Government Association put out that garnered over 350 responses, 35% of the students, faculty, and staff that took the survey said that they have had an experience where they were unable to obtain a menstrual product while they were on campus (Appendix A). The lack of access to menstrual products can add an unnecessary burden to our campus community, and those who menstruate who find themselves in this situation have to choose between missing class time or not changing their product for hours. While the University offers free menstrual products in locations such as Stamp or the first floor of McKeldin, if you are in the Chemistry building for a class and you suddenly get your period you can’t just walk to Stamp to get a tampon. Many academic buildings like the Chemistry building have metal boxes where menstrual products should be at a cost of a couple quarters, but they haven’t been restocked in years, adding to the stress of students who are searching for menstrual products. Providing menstrual products free of charge to students in a wide array of buildings across campus would allow students to not have to worry about missing class because of their period and removes the fear that comes with getting your period unexpectedly. We are asking for $7,500 dollars to cover the cost of the tampon dispenser boxes with the hope that SGA will pay for the product.
Injection Molder for Makerspace Plastic Waste Recycling- $4,573
Maker spaces on campus have inevitable plastic waste that is typically integrated with other plastic waste streams on campus. However, Terrapin Works (TW) has demonstrated the value of this waste material as a feedstock for injection molding. With their extensive experience in procuring, owning, operating advanced manufacturing equipment, and providing access to that equipment back to the campus community, TW is ideally suited to integrate an industrial injection molding machine into their equipment ecosystem. The benefits are threefold. First, significant quantities of plastic will be diverted from the landfill. Second, students will gain experience with a ubiquitous manufacturing technique which will expand their opportunities both academically and professionally. Third, the University of Maryland can enhance their public image by incorporating the recycled products of the injection molding into their existing gift programs such as conference gifts or graduation gifts, to name a few. The future plans for this endeavor would extend to further reducing the plastic waste streams at the university by diverting and reusing plastic waste from our existing recycling infrastructure on campus.
Spring 2020
John S. Toll Physics Building Wing 1 Main Lobby and Public Corridor Renovation - $150,000
Purple Line Bike Lanes Additional Funding Request - $146,154
William Kirwan Rotunda 1 and 2 Renovation - $130,000
A.V. Williams Ground Floor Lobby Renovation - $100,000
Campus Lighting Phase 1 Additional Funding Request - $74,252
Edible Forest Garden - $15,940
Clark Scholars Tennis Court Bio-retention Garden - $20,000
Stormwater management on campus is a difficult and ongoing issue that is repeatedly being addressed by Facilities Management, faculty, and students. As students, we are proud of the efforts our University of Maryland community makes towards sustainability and minimizing our impact on the environment. To contribute to this effort, the Clark Scholars have identified a location on campus adjacent to the North Campus tennis courts that would benefit from the implementation of a bio-retention facility to reduce the volume of polluted stormwater entering the drainage system. The filtration provided by the bio-retention garden will positively impact the environment, beginning with the local ecosystem of Campus Creek and extending beyond our University to the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed. Our bio-retention garden will collect and filter the 1,837 cubic feet of polluted runoff water that travels across Parking Lot 2A during rainstorms. Along with the clear environmental benefits of our design, the bio-retention garden will improve the overall aesthetics for the tennis courts and the residential Oakland Hall with lively native plants. The bio-retention garden will simultaneously raise awareness about runoff pollution while providing a beautiful and serene garden for students to enjoy.
Renovation of the Reflection and Meditation Space in Cole Fieldhouse - $70,000
Further funding for project funded Spring 2019.
Campus Arboretum Restoration Project -$3,400
Fall 2019
Thrive Outdoor Composite Fitness Structure - $66,000
These would be approximately 400SF - 1500SF in size and be placed at locations on the south and/or east side of campus so the students and campus community can take advantage of easily accessible, outdoor fitness opportunities near where they live, go to class, and work. This proposal will meet the need for more functional training opportunities, allow for these opportunities in an outdoor setting, and provide greater opportunities for students looking for an alternative to the existing indoor recreation facilities. This equipment will be used by individuals for informal/unstructured exercise, by SPHL-Kinesiology academic classes, and by RecWell for small group instruction/training, orientations, and individual personal training/instruction.
Flexible Solar Decathlon Site and relocation of reACT House - $100,000
This project will fund the construction of a concrete pad and utilities hookups on the plaza of the Architecture Building as a site for the reACT solar house. This approach will allow the current house to be cycled out and replaced with newer DoE competition houses in the future. The reACT house is currently stored near the Leaf House across from the Chesapeake Bldg. and is deteriorating. The project allows us to reassemble the house near the School where our students and faculty and those from Engineering and Education can use it as a laboratory for testing sustainable spatial and
systems design. The facility will also become a beacon of the University’s sustainability efforts, and will serve as a recruitment tool, as the gathering place for prospective student tours for the School fo Architecture, Planning and Preservation.
Spring 2019
Renovation of the Reflection and Meditation Space in Cole Fieldhouse - $170,030
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion reports that over 2300 students indicate their engagement in the Muslim Faith. Students in this community have regularly sought locations on campus to engage in daily prayer and meditation. In 2001, the University identified space on campus that the Muslim Student Association could reserve that would allow for the five daily prayers of the Muslim faith. While other faith communities and groups might use the Memorial Chapel for these purposes, the unique nature of the five daily prayers required a unique and more dedicated space. In 2008, the Muslim Student Association began reserving a former locker room in Cole Fieldhouse to use as a gathering space for prayers and meditation. As our Muslim student community has grown, it has become apparent that we need to grow the size of space and capacity for this practice. In the spring of 2018, a student group called Project Tarmeem presented a proposal to the Student Facilities Fund Committee. This proposal is a follow up to that earlier proposal.
The Hammock Haven Project - $2,500
The Hammock Haven consists of ten hammock posts arranged in two rows of five designed to support up to five hammocks at a time. These posts will be installed within the Cambridge Community Quad and will serve to progress the goal of making the Cambridge Community a social hub for the Scholars community and North Campus as a whole. The Hammock Haven will also serve as a prototype for a campus-wide initiative to reduce hammock related tree damage. Two semesters worth of empathy research including detailed site visits and extensive surveys of the North Campus population helped refine the Hammock Haven into the sustainable, cost effective solution it is today.
Campus-wide Lighting Improvement Project - $700,000
The current campus exterior pedestrian lighting system is a mixture of pedestrian, street, area and parking lighting types and fixture styles. Light levels and energy efficiency of campus light fixtures provide varying degrees of lighting performance and reliability. A large proportion of light fixtures, campus-wide, are over 40 years old, with corrosion of many of the electrical feeder cables and light poles. Additionally, many are not compliant with current standards and technical performance advances for pedestrian and vehicular lighting levels, quality and safety needs. This project will provide upgrades to existing campus wide pedestrian lighting which will improve student and campus safety, light qualities and provide increased reliability and energy efficiency. The consistent use of materials and appropriate fixture styles will also increase the continuity of landscape elements and the overall campus environment will be more aesthetically pleasing to the landscape of.
Fall 2018
Solar Paneled Bus Shelters - $3,880
The University of Maryland houses over 100 different buildings and has an approximate undergraduate population of 20,000. The department of transportation services works hard to create a safe and useful transportation system throughout the campus as evident by the many different bus routes that are able to reach each corner of campus during the day and night. Since a common concern voiced by undergraduate students is the safety of our campus especially at night, this proposal aims to use the very commonly used transportation system to improve the safety on our campus. This proposal asks for $3,880 to fund a pilot program of the installation of two solar panels at the bus shelters to power a self-sufficient lighting system. This will improve the safety around bus stops on our campus as well as the overall safety on our campus. The proposal is supported by DOTS administrators and may be expanded in the future if it is determined that these are truly beneficial to our community.
Expanded Recreation Opportunities at Ritchie Coliseum and Eppley Recreation Center Project - $128,500
Due to the continued increase in the student population over the last several years, the need for more fitness related exercising opportunities is becoming more urgent. These increases are putting more demand on the existing facilities resulting in extended wait times and crowding of these facilities, especially at times of peak usage. We are looking to implement a two part approach that will: 1) Provide an immediate increase in cardio/functional training opportunities by expanding the function of the mezzanine area at Ritchie Coliseum with the addition of cardio equipment and repurposing an existing space space at the Eppley Recreation Center to include more varied functional training opportunities. 2) Provide the potential of more extensive increases of recreation opportunities in the near future by having structural engineering analysis performed to determine the feasibility of expanding existing spaces and/or adding new space within current RecWell facilities.
Spring 2018
South Campus Diner Accessibility Project - $117,500
Dining Services recognizes that the restrooms on the West side of the South Campus Dining Hall are not acceptable - they are not ADA accessible, do not offer gender inclusive restrooms, and they are in desperate need of a renovation. These restrooms are the ones most frequently used by students dining at this location. This proposal is a request for the Facilities Fund to provide $235,000 to help Dining Services create new restroom spaces that are both accessible and attractive for our entire campus community.
The committee is granting half of the requested total, $117,500. This funding is contingent on a commitment to having the remainder of the project funded within 6 months. The committee is in favor the project, because of its clear benefit to students; however, the committee also feels that compliance should be the responsibility of the University, not the student body.
Renovation of Conference Room Electronic Equipment at Technology Advancement Program (TAP) Building - $11,766.43
The Technology Advancement Program (TAP) building is the home to Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech), which is the technology entrepreneurship hub for UMD students. Facilities and equipment at Mtech are available to all students who want to work and gain experiences in entrepreneurship and innovation, or are launching their own start-up companies. The Conference Room at the TAP building is available for, and is frequently used by, students. It has been at least 10 years since the equipment in this room was refreshed and replaced. Some of the equipment are no longer compatible with the new electronic devices in the market. This proposal seeks funding for refreshing and replacing the electronics in the conference room to facilitate and encourage more students to use the conference room for their needs.
Martin Hall Lounge Renovations - $24,711
Glenn Martin Hall is the home to four different engineering programs, namely, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Reliability Engineering. These four programs are home for more than 3,000 undergraduate and 600 graduate students. There are several conference rooms and student lounges in the Glenn L. Martin building, and these areas are primarily used by students. In this proposal, the focus is on renovation of three conference rooms and one student lounge. Despite the frequent use of all the aforementioned rooms, there has not been a renovation or upgrade to these facilities for nearly 7 to 10 years. This proposal seeks funding for renovations of these four spaces, purchase of new electronic equipment for conference rooms, installation of a kitchen sink in the lounge, and providing swipe access to the lounge to improve the security. All these together will enhance the learning experience of students, whose major programs are housed within this building, and contribute to the goals of community development.
Reflection Space and Family Study Room in McKeldin Library - $10,340
Creating a reflection space and a family study room within McKeldin Library supports the study needs of a variety of student populations on campus. Currently, McKeldin Library lacks a space for quiet reflection, meditation, or prayer, and the creation of a designated reflection space will allow students to mentally recharge while spending long hours in the library studying. Additionally, students with children need a space in the library where they can study without worrying about their children disturbing other students. The family study room with provide a reservable room for students to study in with their children. The creation of both of these spaces within McKeldin Library will support the holistic student, recognizing that along with managing coursework, students practice their spiritual beliefs, have family responsibilities, and sometimes need to take time for quiet reflection. These spaces will allow the library to meet the diverse needs of students on campus.
Stamp Student Union Interior Vertical Garden - $22,500
With a daily visitor count of approximately 17,000, the Stamp Student Union endeavors to provide the highest quality services and amenities to enrich the lives of our student population and University community at Maryland. We keep sustainability at the forefront of our new initiatives and are currently planning to install a living or 'green' wall in a glassed in patio, one of the first on campus. The location offers high visibility into our building from the SE entrance and is clearly visible to both pedestrian and motor traffic from Campus Drive. A Stamp green wall will have a positive impact on indoor air quality but mainly increase the usefulness of this space by providing students a tranquil green space in which to study and interact. It will also raise awareness for urban agriculture by serving as a vertical garden with harvestable herbs that will be used in our catering kitchen.
Renovation of McKeldin 5109 into a Graduate Student Meeting Room - $40,000
I propose that a room currently used for storage in McKeldin Library (5109) be renovated into a meeting and workshop space for (primarily) graduate student use. Currently, there is no dedicated space to accommodate events by the Graduate School Writing Center or the Graduate School Office of Professional Development--events such as thesis and dissertation retreats, peer writing groups, and presentations on professional development. There also are no graduate-specific study rooms. Converting this space would centralize graduate professional development opportunities on the 5th Floor of McKeldin, thereby freeing space on other floors of the library, such as the TLC spaces on the 2nd floor and 4123 McKeldin, for greater use by undergraduates.
Fall 2017
Benches in LeFrak Hall- $3,400
I have found that students have been in uncomfortable seating arrangements in academic buildings. Whether they are waiting to speak to a professor outside of his/her office or lingering the halls before their next class begins because they arrived early, most students have been in a position where they are either sitting on the floor or are in other difficult positions while trying to obtain their education. This proposal will identify locations on campus that are able to include better accommodations for students.
Improvement of Lactation/Nursing Rooms on Campus- $42,500
The current facilities for nursing parents on campus are insufficient to support all of our community members. The benefits of breastfeeding are well documented, and advocates for women's, children’s, and familial health have been vocal about the needs of working parents (Ryan, Zhou, & Arensberg, 2006; Ip et al., 2009; American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP], 2012; Ystrom, 2012; Tsai, 2013). This proposal seeks to assess and improve current resources as well as increase awareness of these facilities on our campus. The potential impact of this proposal is high as it will support individual’s rights, increase access and use of these resources, and meet the expectation of being a “First Class Campus for a World Class University” as outlined in the Facilities Master Plan 2011-2030.
Comments: The total request was for $100,000. The breakdown of budget items are as follows: Physical Signage, $1000. Improvement of current rooms, $20,000. Development of new rooms, $11,500. Survey of Community Members, $10,000. Seminar Series, $0.
WMUC-FM 88.1 Radio Station Soundproofing Replacement- $45,850
WMUC Radio is a fully functioning, FCC licensed radio station operated by the University of Maryland and serving the entire University community. The station is licensed to the Board of Regents, but the oversight of the student run station is delegated to the Vice President of Student Affairs and daily operations are funded through the Student Government Association. The Stamp has the responsibility of maintaining the public spaces of South Campus Dining Hall third floor (ie. restrooms, hallways) where WMUC is located. The WMUC studios were built as part of the South Campus Dining Hall construction in 1973-74 and have not been renovated since. WMUC serves as a part of the FCC's broadcast Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the WMUC transmitter serves as a host of the campus Alertus System. Additional funding is needed to replace the deteriorated and exposed fiberglass sound-proof materials on the studio walls that were installed as part of the original construction which has become an aesthetic eyesore and a potential health risk.
ROTC Challenge Course- $109,750
The Army, Naval, and Air Force ROTC programs at the University of Maryland propose funding for a new Challenge Course outdoor exercise area on campus. During the academic year, ROTC cadets and midshipmen begin their day (Monday through Friday, from 0530 to 0800) with a strenuous workout regimen comprising calisthenics, running, and strength-training. Currently, they lack the necessary outdoor exercise equipment to facilitate this daily exercise routine. This proposal would replace and expand the outdoor exercise area that was lost due to the new Cole Fieldhouse project and the ROTC programs’ subsequent move to the Reckord Armory. There are approximately 350 cadets and midshipmen currently enrolled in the ROTC programs, and University of Maryland is unique for having all three programs located on our campus. This proposal would support the installation of an outdoor exercise area that would not only benefit these 350 enrolled ROTC students, but also the entire campus community. The exercise equipment and site would be open and available for use by other students, athletic teams, and fitness clubs after the ROTC priority times (Monday through Friday, from 0530 to 0800).
Comments: The committee will fund the Installation ($74,750) and Equipment ($35,000) of the Challenge course, but not the ongoing maintenance costs ($40,000) will not be funded by the committee. The committee also will fund on the stipulation on that there will be no fence around the course, and it will be free to use by all student groups when not in use by ROTC. The committee also recommends that the use of the equipment be regulated by RecWell.
University Health Center CARE to Stop Violence Facilities Improvements- $50,500
Our request includes several parts that are inter-related. CARE to Stop Violence is an essential office within the University Health Center whose mission is to assist and advocate for survivors of interpersonal and gender based violence and to spearhead the prevention efforts around gender based violence on our campus.
The Student Health Advisory Committee or SHAC is a group of undergraduate and graduate students, a recognized student organization, who work to advise the UHC on the service that we provide to students and who work through committees to improve the care that we provide. The current SHAC office is on the ground floor of the UHC adjacent to CARE and to our Health Promotion and Wellness Services area.
The UHC hosts multiple interns every year in CARE and Health Promotion and Wellness. Currently, the interns share the SHAC office as a work space.
In 2015, CARE was physically moved to what had been a dental clinic within the UHC. There are significant limitations around privacy in this location. As a temporary solution, we were donated furniture from IKEA to create some separation in the part of the suite that was once a series of dental operatories. This is not an adequate longer term solution.
Currently, the UHC is searching for an Assistant Director for the UHC to help this University to actualize the recommendations from the Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force. We currently do not have an adequately configured space in which to house this new employee and a support person also assigned to CARE.
Memorial Bench in the Garden of Reflection and Remembrance- $3,750
The University of Maryland is a diverse community with a wide range of undergraduates, graduates, staff, professors, faculty, and administrators. Unfortunately, our large campus has experienced the loss of members of our community but no recognition for their lives can be found on campus. Students, faculty and staff would benefit from a specific and tangible element to honor the memory of those that have passed. Stone pavers and an inscription around a memorial bench placed in The Garden of Remembrance and Reflection on campus, would provide the campus community with a place to mourn, reflect, and remember the lives that have passed.
Napping Pods in McKeldin Library- $21,818.20
As a student at Maryland, my aim is to help eliminate the problem of sleep deprivation on campus by requesting funding for napping pods which would be located in McKeldin Library. With a large off- campus student population, and lack of adequate rest thought out the night, sleep deprivation is a large concern. Napping pods would allow students to have a resting location in McKeldin Library, and would work tremendously to lower stress and fatigue. Furthermore, these pods will be easily available to students 24/7 during the week due to the library hours, and would be especially beneficial during midterms and finals. If the two pods are successful, we have a plan to make sure we gather more resources in the future to implement pods at other location across campus.
Comments: The committee will fund the napping pods as a pilot program for McKeldin Library. During this pilot, we recommend that all students have access to the pods. If the pilot program is successful, we further recommend that more napping pods are purchased through the University Libraries.