The logic of carpooling is simple: it reduces the costs for all parties involved and takes at least one car off the road. If other students are coming from the same area and heading to UMBC around the same time, carpooling may be an easy way to meet other UMBC campus members, reduce UMBC’s carbon footprint, and save money as well as a number of other benefits.

Creating a carpool with UMBC students is easy—join the online “Casual Carpooling” forum just for UMBC members and discuss the details of a carpool (http://my.umbc.edu/groups/casualcarpooling).  The Casual Carpooling myUMBC group now has over 400 UMBC members! For an enjoyable and safe ride, we posted some suggestions and tips such as “carpool etiquette” on the webpage.

Face-to-face socials are also hosted by the office of Off-Campus Student Services throughout the year. The next carpool social is on February 14, 2014 with a Valentine’s Day theme at Lower Flat Tuesdays in The Commons from 12-1PM.

PAID Sustainability Outreach Intern (Spring 2014)

community. Work hours: approximately 8 hours per week.

• Majors: Geography, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Political Science,
  Environmental Engineering and Sustainability, Education, or a related field
• 2.5 GPA
• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing (undergraduate students)
  
• Passion for sustainability
• Knowledge of advertising through social media
• Experience planning and promoting social and/or educational events is preferred.

BENEFITS:

• $900 Stipend
• Transcript notation and academic credit
• Participation in social events hosted by OCSS
• Attendance at professional development seminars and events related to sustainability
• Experience creating and facilitating instructional programs in a professional environment
• Professional networking opportunities through coordinating with various UMBC departments, campus members, and student leaders
• Learn professional skills useful for future employment
• A flexible work schedule that compliments your class schedule

To apply, you need to have your resume reviewed and approved by a Coordinator at The Shriver Center. Please call their front desk at 410-455-2493 for an appointment or contact shrivercenter@umbc.edu, umbcworks@umbc.edu for more information. The internship listing can be found at UMBCworks (ID#: 9262157). The deadline to apply is January 24, 2014. Submit your resume through UMBCworks. Submit your cover letter and unofficial transcript to Jessica Sadler, OCSS Graduate Assistant, jsadler1@umbc.edu.

FAQ's: Here are some frequently asked questions about the new MARC Penn Line weekend service.

How many trips will operate on the weekend?
There will be 9 round trips on Saturday and 6 on Sunday.

Will there be weekend service on the Camden Line?
No. Camden Line passengers are welcome to use the new Penn Line service.
 One-way, weekly and monthly tickets on the Camden Line are always
honored on the Penn Line.

Will there be weekend service on the Brunswick Line?
No. Brunswick Line passengers are reminded of the MTA Commuter Bus 201,
which provides 7-day a week, hourly service between Gaithersburg Park
and Ride, Arundle Mills Mall, and BWI Marshall Airport and Rail Station.

Can I use my MARC weekly or monthly pass that I use Monday through Friday for the new weekend service?
Yes! You will need to purchase single ride tickets for anyone in your party
that does not have a MARC pass. Weekly tickets are good for unlimited
use beginning on the Saturday of the designated week until midnight of
the following Friday.

Will select Amtrak trains still honor MARC weekly and monthly tickets on the weekend?
No. MARC tickets will no longer be honored on Amtrak weekend trains.  Funds
used to pay Amtrak for this priviledge have been shifted to pay to
operate the weekend service. 

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!