Frequently Asked Questions

Carillon Communities is a living -learning program in which students address big questions important to the world and their own educational path through the use of creative problem solving and teamwork.

Living-Learning Communities:

• Help make this big campus feel smaller
• Help students develop a network with other students

Carillon Communities:

• Facilitates academic success through small classes led by distinguished faculty and dedicated instructors
• Allows students to fulfill an I-Series General Education requirement
• Introduces students to UMD through a unique Studio course that opens up a more satisfying and intentional college experience 
• Cultivates supportive networks with fellow students and faculty
• Provides an opportunity to cultivate supportive networks with fellow students and a University professor

Students working in teams are more likely to make connections with other students and build a sense of community. These skills are crucial for success in college and highly valued by employers. College graduates rank participation in a semester-long project–like Carillon’s team projects–among the most valuable activities of their college experience.

Students who accept their invitation to Carillon will rank their top three community placements. Staff thoughtfully shape each community, taking into account student preferences and community demographics.

Communities differ in size but typically range between 30 and 60 students.

Students are required to indicate three communities. Please do not list a community more than once. Students who indicate only one or two communities may not be placed into any community. Note that the form includes an option to expand upon your rankings and explain why specific communities are of greater interest.

There is no single profile for students who participate in Carillon Communities. Carillon invites students from across the University’s schools and colleges who represent a diversity of interests, aspirations, and backgrounds.

An invitation to Carillon Communities conveys our belief that you will flourish in a living-learning community characterized by its commitment to teamwork and engagement with principles of design thinking. It is up to you to decide if Carillon Communities is right for you. 

No. You can register for any orientation that works best with your schedule. Carillon-specific orientations will provide an opportunity for you to connect with staff and former students as well as to receive up-to-date information about registering for your community’s courses. 

Yes. Submitting your interest form to Carillon guarantees you a spot in the program if you do decide to attend UMD, but it does not commit you to UMD. We encourage all invited students to submit the form by February 20.

Write to us at carillon@umd.edu.

The word “carillon” refers to a set of bells hung in a tower. Carillon Communities was named in honor of the Memorial Chapel Carillon, whose (electronic) bells chime on the hour.

No. Students are encouraged to select communities that appeal to them, even and especially if the courses fall outside of their intended major. All students need to take a non-major I-Series course to satisfy General Education requirements, and Carillon courses are designed for non-majors. Carillon offers students an opportunity to explore widely and to expand their knowledge.

Carillon Community courses count toward General Education requirements that students in all majors must complete. The courses may additionally count toward major and minor requirements.

All newly admitted students register for their courses when they attend one of the mandatory summer orientations. Visit summer orientation to learn more about orientation sessions and availability.

Carillon Communities students reside in Easton Hall and Hagerstown Hall. To participate in University housing, students MUST complete the Housing/Dining Services Agreement by May 1.

Every first-year student who desires to live on campus MUST complete the Housing/Dining Services Agreement by May 1 to be eligible to live on campus. The housing agreement can be found at Resident Life.

No. Carillon students are not required to live on campus.

Carillon Communities strongly encourages students to live with other Carillon students. Email carillon@umd.edu to request a non-program roommate. Please note that students requesting non-program roommates will be assigned to Hagerstown Hall. Due to a variety of factors, roommate requests are never guaranteed. Resident Life will honor mutual roommate requests as space allows.

Carillon students will be placed in either Easton Hall or Hagerstown Hall. Housing assignments will be made on the basis of when the housing agreement and deposit are received. Please note that students requesting non-program roommates will be assigned to Hagerstown Hall. Carillon spaces in Easton will be filled first.