Guidelines for Outdoor Use

Residence Hall Quad and Outdoor Community Areas

Outdoor areas located adjacent to the University of Maryland residence halls are the “backyards” for on-campus students who call the residence halls their home away from home. These outdoor areas are supervised by the Department of Resident Life and are designated for use by students who live in the residence halls.

Guidelines and Space Use Restrictions for Residential Community Areas

The following guidelines apply to outdoor residential community areas to ensure availability of use and access by on-campus residents.

• Residential community quads and outdoor spaces are for informal, casual use by on-campus residents and their guests and for residence hall events hosted and sponsored by the Department of Resident Life.
• Residential community quads and outdoor spaces are available to on-campus students on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Residential community quads and outdoor spaces are not general campus event locations and cannot be reserved by individuals, groups, or organizations for planned group events or activities except for events for on-campus residents hosted by the Department of Resident Life, Living-Learning Program staff, and/or by the Residence Hall Association.
• Individuals, groups, and campus organizations are prohibited from advertising activities, events, and meetings at these locations.*
• Residence Hall Rules remain in effect in all outdoor areas adjacent to the residence halls, including residential community quads and outdoor spaces.
• Please be respectful and considerate of your neighbors when enjoying residential community outdoor spaces. Quiet hours are in effect in all residential areas during the following hours:
  • 10:00 p.m. -8:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings, and
  • 12:00 Midnight -10:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.
  • 24 hours during study day and final exam periods.
  • Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day.
• Use or possession of alcohol or other illegal drugs is not permitted.
• Use of amplified sound is prohibited unless otherwise authorized by the Department of Resident Life.
• Skateboarding is prohibited on ledges, curbs, seating walls, and benches.
• Use of motorized and electric vehicles is prohibited on all sidewalk areas.
• In locations that include outdoor grills, please use caution when cooking.
  • Monitor grills at all times.
  • Do not dispose of hot coals in trash cans or on the ground.
• Dispose of trash and recycling in appropriate receptacles located near the residence halls.
• Ensure that sports equipment is kept away from residence halls to avoid damage. Individuals should use caution when playing sports in community outdoor spaces to avoid injury.
• Solicitation, posting of flyers, and chalking are prohibited as noted in the University of Maryland Policy and Procedures for the Use of Facilities and Outdoor Spaces.
• Refer to the University of Maryland Policy and Procedures for the Use of Facilities and Outdoor Spaces for additional information and guidelines regarding the use of outdoor spaces on campus.

If you have questions about the outdoor spaces adjacent to the residence halls, please contact your Resident Director, our Resident Life staff team by visiting our staff page, or the Office of the Director by phone at 301-314-7343.

*Individuals, groups, or organizations who wish to reserve an outdoor location for campus events or activities should contact the Stamp Student Union’s Event Services office for assistance reserving space. 

Registered student organizations can also find additional resources regarding campus space reservations and event planning by contacting the Stamp Student Union’s Student Org Resource Center.