At the University of Maryland, the Facilities Management (FM) team plays a pivotal role in ensuring the campus is primed for success, especially at the start of a new academic year. Move-In Week in August is a peak time when FM’s careful planning and hard work truly shine. By providing essential services like clear directional signage, conveniently placed dumpsters, and more, FM helps students and their families transition smoothly into campus life. Through these efforts, FM ensures a warm welcome and a well-organized start for the entire university community.
The Sign Shop begins crafting the hundreds of directional signs weeks in advance, ensuring that every student and family knows exactly where to go, whether it's their dorm, a parking area, or an event location. In addition to these essential guides, the team produced 150 signs for Welcome Week events and the NextNow Festival, hundreds of student name tags, over 400 menu signs for Dining Services, and signs reflecting the new campus-wide 15 mph speed limit. These signs do more than direct people and traffic—they play a vital role in reducing stress and confusion, helping to make the entire move-in process smoother and more enjoyable.
FM’s Recycling and Waste Management Services ensures that the university’s focus on sustainability is not lost in the frenzy of student move-in. Through careful planning and coordination with Residential Life, FM provides additional dumpsters at key locations, ensuring waste is properly collected and sorted for maximum recycling. During Welcome Week in August 2023, FM collected over 27,000 pounds of recycling and trash—a significant contribution, though just a fraction of the 4,000+ tons processed annually. This essential behind-the-scenes work keeps the campus clean and welcoming, even as thousands of students and families arrive during one of the busiest weeks of the year.
While settling into their new homes is a priority for students during Welcome Week, there’s also plenty of time for some well-deserved fun. UMD strives to provide the warmest welcome possible, and FM plays a key role in making this experience memorable. Many students enjoyed Saturday afternoon on McKeldin Mall, picking up freebies and playing games under tents provided by FM’s Special Services. The team also supported concerts and other events, ensuring every detail was covered. From cozy seating at the Moonlit Music Contest to expansive stage setups at the President’s New Student Welcome, FM’s Special Services unit worked tirelessly to create smooth, enjoyable experiences for thousands of attendees.
As the hustle and bustle of Welcome Week subsides and student move-in is complete, the focus shifts to academics. This transition is made possible, in part, by the quiet, behind-the-scenes work of FM, which continues throughout the semester. From ensuring a smooth Move-In process to supporting vibrant campus events, FM teams play an essential role in creating an environment where students can thrive. As the university community embarks on a new semester, FM’s ongoing efforts remain the backbone of a welcoming, organized, and sustainable campus—one that’s ready to support the academic journey ahead.