Freshman housing / changes?

Colleges & Universities University of Maryland - College Park
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Hi, it looks like the last time this was asked was 15 years ago, so I hope a new thread is OK. My son is a freshman at UMD in DCC, living in Prince Frederick. The simple question is, can he move to an independent apartment for second semester and beyond? (Specifically, does UMD permit this for freshmen, for freshmen in Honors, for freshmen in DCC, for freshmen who committed to a dorm this year.)

Once we determine if it is possible (and assuming that there are penalty costs, what those are), I’m open to advice on whether it is a good choice. The fundamental problem is that my son is having a really hard time finding enough to eat in the dining halls (including the kosher dining which we have the plan for, and where the chef does try to accommodate him). I mentioned on another thread that he is allergic to one of the components in Old Bay seasoning which is ubiquitous. He also has a schedule where the meal times don’t always line up to when meals are served.

Since he doesn’t have any cooking facilities (except the micro-fridge) in his dorm/room, he just doesn’t eat. He’s lost a lot of weight and was skinny to begin with.

Also, he’s not getting the most sleep, because his roommate is on a non-compatible schedule and uses multiple alarms with snoozing to wake up due to his own exhaustion. But if it were just this, I’d suggest earplugs/eye mask.

The apartment in question is in Landmark, which is quite close to the new Hillel location, a significant plus for DS. The cost is OK with us. It’s a sublet from someone going abroad for a term, but then that person is moving to a fraternity so the room could be renewable in a regular sense.

I get that if someone leaves the dorms, they can’t come back? Is it worth “toughing it out” for 1.5 more years to hope to get into South Commons for mostly the same thing DS could maybe get in January?

DH, older kids, and I never lived in other than university housing, even in graduate school, so we don’t know this landscape at all. Any advice?

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I can’t speak specifically to UMD so I hope you don’t mind the generalities.

Is there a possibility of your son switching dorms for second semester to one with a kitchen facility? IMO, the transition to off campus is a big one in terms of responsibilities and for a freshman, I like the idea of them still living on campus as they grow their community and have more time to mature.

I would recommend having a doctor’s note about the weight loss and the allergy when approaching the residence life people to request either a change in location, or the breaking of the dorm agreement (which is for the full academic year).

If I’m remembering correctly from when my daughter toured and was accepted, there is no on campus residency requirement for honors so that shouldn’t be an issue (although the rules could have changed between then and now).

Both my H and I, and our D all lived off campus for part of undergrad. My D lived off campus for 1 1/2 years (1/2 year because of co-op) and had a great experience but she had already lived independently two summers for internships and co-op so wasn’t trying to figure out cooking, shopping, cleaning, bill paying from scratch. I actually think living off campus at least for a little bit is a good stepping stone to adulting. I just wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for a freshman.

I hope this works out for your son! The weight loss is concerning :frowning:

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Thank you! This is very helpful. I was planning to still get him a Hillel meal plan to augment whatever he cooked. There will be additional responsibilities for sure, but I think more cleaning bathrooms and such. As far as I know, the other dorms with kitchens are quite unpleasant except for the ones that are completely full with upperclassmen, plus farther from Hillel/classes. But I can look into that. Thank you for all the thoughts and the BTDT!

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I checked with a friend whose daughter was in Prince Frederick (but in ACES not DCC). He said the honors program does require residency - either 1 or 2 years, depending on the program; but it sounds like you have a strong case to request an exception. I hope it works out for your son.

My understanding is that the “off campus” apartments are very good and located on the street across from the campus gates, so only technically “off campus”.

Good luck.

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Thanks! Some of these talk about residency requirements, but DCC does not??

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Is there an advisor in the honors program your S can discuss this with?

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Yes, he just texted me that! :slight_smile:

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Moving off campus at the end of Freshman year should not be a problem for you son if the is no Honors Program residency requirement, but I’m not sure about moving after just one semester of Freshman year. Hopefully your son’s advisor can help. Maybe you should contact ResLife also.

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So I did contact Res Life. DS could apply to move off campus in January (form comes out later in November) but if he’s approved, he has to move off campus. (And there’s a fee, like $200.) I think he and we are getting cold feet about it?

Indeed there is no residency requirement for DCC (his LLP H program).

I’ll keep you all posted! :slight_smile:

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Just for info, my D was in University Honors (Hagerstown Hall at that time} and she moved to Denton Hall for her Sophomore year and then to South Campus Commons for her last 2 years. There were no additional fees involved, just the normal rent increases.

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