The SMC Campus Center is a managed facility. Specific policies have been developed to assist the management team with the daily operations of the facility. These policies are not all-inclusive and do not limit the management team from making decisions or establishing additional policies based upon unique needs and/or circumstances. All policies were created with the intent to provide for the long-term care and maintenance of the facility as well as to provide fair access to event spaces and other resources. No policy in this manual will have more authority than University policy.

Failure to comply with any policy or guideline outlined in this manual and/or any verbal or written requests from the SMC Campus Center management team may result in action by the staff to deny privileges, refer to proper authorities, and/or assess appropriate charges. Requests for exceptions to any SMC Campus Center policy should be referred to the executive director of Campus Life Services.

Alcohol is permitted at events catered by CulinArt and at student functions where the appropriate approval has been obtained. 

Student organizations that have received permission to serve alcohol must arrange to obtain the alcohol through CulinArt and pay to have a CulinArt bartender staff the event and serve the alcohol. A Campus Security Officer must be present for the duration of a student organization event. 

Individuals who are intoxicated will be asked to leave the facility and risk arrest. Students who are disruptive may be referred to their school/program for disciplinary action. All UM community members should be aware of the UMB Substance Abuse Policy. 

The presence of unapproved alcohol at an event will result in the immediate termination of the event and possible further action against the event’s sponsors. There will be no exceptions or warnings given. 

All requests to have alcohol served at an event need to be made through Event Services. 

Service animals are allowed at any time. 

All other animals including therapy, emotional support, or for a Student Affairs programming activity requires permission from UMB Student Affairs. 

Approval will be granted for use of amplification equipment at events if there is a high probability that the planned event will not disrupt or disturb other Campus Center activities. In-house sound systems are to be used in an appropriate manner to ensure other activities in the building are not disturbed. Additional amplification may not be used without approval. Approval will be conditioned on the potential for disruption of other activities. If noise complaints are received, the event sponsors will be asked to lower the sound level. Failure to do so may result in the event being terminated.

A bicycle rack is provided on the west side of the building adjacent to the School of Nursing courtyard and in front of the Campus Center by the picnic tables. Bicycles and/or scooters may not be chained to any other outside railings, furniture, or displays. Bikes may not be left in any public or private area. Their usage and/or storage is not permitted inside the building.

The use of scooters, skateboards, in-line skates, rollerblades, shoe skates, and hover boards is prohibited inside the Campus Center.

The Campus Center requires appropriate attire to be worn within the building. Personal appearance and hygiene play an important role in the professional community and setting. Clothing such as shoes, shirts, shorts, or pants are required for all patrons of the Campus Center. These rules are set in place to create a comfortable and appropriate setting for all who enter the building.

The Campus Center supports the mission of the University by providing space for programs and events. Public spaces are open to all University of Maryland, Baltimore students, faculty, staff, and invited guests of the University. Reservations for events are filled on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. The Campus Center is not an academic building and classes (including exams) will not be scheduled in the space.

Failure to comply with any policy established by the Campus Center management team or requests by Campus Center staff may result in denial of use privileges and/or assessment of appropriate charges.

CulinArt has the exclusive right to cater events held at the SMC Campus Center. It provides a full range of food and beverages from coffee service to fine dining. You can arrange for simple pickup food service in which you do most of the work or you can arrange for CulinArt to staff your event and provide services from start to finish, both within the SMC Campus Center and across campus. You must have a room approval before making arrangements for food or beverages within the SMC Campus Center. 

University-recognized student organizations may provide their own food for a meeting or an event only if the food is provided as “take-out” food, meaning the food is fully prepared and ready to serve. The use of hot plates, burners, candles, or sternos is prohibited. Proper food handling must be observed. Student organizations providing their own food must contact Event Services (eventservices@umaryland.edu) to ensure all related details are addressed.

University of Maryland departments and student organizations wishing to collect item such as clothing and books for donation to a charitable organization must submit a request. All donation box requests are to be submitted at least five business days prior to the start of the requested reservation date. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon approval, a confirmation email will be sent to the individual who submitted the initial request. In the case the request cannot be accommodated, an email will be sent to the individual who submitted the initial request. Please be aware that groups are not guaranteed the donation box space. Donation boxes can be set up for a maximum of four weeks. Donation box space is limited to the designated area.

At the conclusion of the reservation period, the collection box must be picked up by the reserving group within two days. The Campus Center is not responsible for items in the donation box after the reservation ends. The student organization or department will provide the donation box. It must be labeled with the sponsoring organization or department, the dates of the collection, where the items will be donated, and what items will be accepted. 

Currency CANNOT be collected in the donation boxes. The student organization or department will check the donation box frequently to empty the contents. The Campus Center is not responsible for theft of items placed in the donation box.

Fill out the online request form for consideration.

Individuals responsible for any acts of damage or/or vandalism to the facility or any unauthorized removal of items (including furniture and equipment) from the SMC Campus Center will be referred to appropriate authorities and will be held financially accountable for their actions. Organizations sponsoring events will be held responsible for the actions of their guests. The Campus Center assumes no responsibility for items in event rooms or other spaces.

We recognize that decorations  are important for a successful event, however  they can sometimes be damaging to the facility or create an unsafe environment. The following items are not permitted in the Campus Center:

• All types of balloons
• Candles and open flames
• Confetti
• Glitter

The digital displays are showcased throughout the building’s televisions. Check out the digital display page for more information about advertising within the Campus Center. 

If the fire alarm sounds, all persons, except emergency personnel, must evacuate the building by the nearest stairwell or exit. Elevators should not be used. Once the building has been vacated, permission must be obtained to re-enter the building from the University of Maryland Emergency Warden or a Campus Center building official.

Flammable materials may not be used anywhere in the Campus Center.

Gambling for money/prizes and games of chance (including card games and 50/50 raffles) are prohibited in the SMC Campus Center. 

All visitors to the Campus Center are required to show their One Card or provide a photo ID to security officers when entering the building.

The loading dock is intended for use only by companies delivering or picking up items for the Campus Center building tenants. All deliveries must be scheduled in advance. To make arrangements for a delivery, contact Building Operations at BldgOps@umaryland.edu.  Parking, standing, or waiting for private vehicles is not permitted. Violators will be ticketed by Campus Police.

Items that are found in the Campus Center should be turned in to URecFit on the fourth floor. The Campus Center will not be held responsible for any materials, equipment, or personal items left in the building. If you believe your property has been stolen, you should contact University of Maryland, Baltimore Police immediately by calling 410-706–6882. 

Anyone under the age of 18 unaccompanied by a supervising adult is not permitted to use the Campus Center unless they are currently enrolled at a University System of Maryland institution or are actively attending a specific event at the Campus Center.

Persons wishing to show movies or films in the Campus Center are charged with determining whether a license must first be obtained.

Flyers, posters, or banners may not be placed, taped, or hung on walls, windows, doors, tables, or other areas. Bulletin boards are located on the first floor to announce events and services that are of general interest to the University community. 

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is committed to protecting and enhancing outdoor and indoor air quality on campus. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on campus except in Designated Smoking Areas. For the policy and list of areas, check out the UMB Non-Smoking Policy.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) prohibits the carrying of guns, firearms, ammunition, other weapons, or replicas of weapons at the UMB campus and in any other locations owned, rented, occupied, or used by and under the control of UMB. For the full policy, read the UMB Policy Prohibiting Weapons.