University of Maryland

Event Planning at the UMD INFO College

The INFO College hosts internal events (college lunches, retreats) and flagship events (Dean’s Lectures, Awards Night, Commencement, etc.) coordinated by the Events Team. For others at INFO who would like to host an event, such as an alumni panel or research talk, please follow the self-led step-by-step guide below.

Is Your Event a Self-Led Event?: Event Types

Self-Led Events:

  • Academic Events: Admitted Student Days, Orientations, HCIM Nuts and Bolts, Open Houses, Capstone Presentations, etc.
  • DSAC Events
  • Faculty-led Events: Candidate Talks, Faculty Orientation, Tenure Talks, etc.
  • INFO Career Center Events (UCC)
  • OACES Events
  • Research Group Events
  • Student Organization Events

College-Led Events:

  • Internal Events:  Retreats, College Lunches
  • Fall Welcome Back
  • Dean’s Lecture Fall, Dean’s Lecture Spring
  • ALA Lecture (Virtual)
  • Homecoming
  • Maryland Day
  • Annual Awards Nights
  • Commencement
Self-Led Events: Planning & Scheduling

STEP 1: Email FYI to INFO Operational Teams: Email event concept to info-eventrequest@umd.edu, this email goes to IT, Facilities, Comms and Events. This is to send an FYI about your event to these teams – and also this is the email address to use if the below instructions do not meet your needs.

STEP 2: Schedule Event: (If hybrid, do both steps)

  • Virtual Event
    • 1 – 300 ppl: schedule a zoom meeting, Select “registration required” when you schedule the meeting, you can then moderate and manage participants (more details here)
    • 300 – 1000 ppl: schedule a zoom webinar, managed by UMD DIV IT: webinar request form, webinar guide
    • Additional Event Resources:
      • PPT template: here
      • Zoom backgrounds: here
      • Video Editing: Self-done via Canva, template and instructions here, send final video to infocomm@umd.edu to post on YouTube and share
  • In-Person Event
    • Email infofm@umd.edu to reserve a space at INFO/UMD, include space needs such as special room setup, IT support, or accessibility accommodations
    • Additional Event Resources:
      • Easels, Directional Signage: Self-led checkout/checkin at the HBK Commons IT Desk, 11am-4pm Mon-Fri; note: each directional sign needs an easel and an 11×17 print out of the event name that is inserted
      • Table Sign Template: here
      • Reserved Parking: Coordinate directly with UMD DOTS
      • Catering: Order directly through UMD Catering, they have options ranging from casual to high end, drop off to full service (Payment: Once you have finalized your catering order, provide your Workday USource/Grant/Gift number to UMD Catering. They will send you an invoice. Forward the invoice to infoadmin@umd.edu for processing/payment)
      • Giveaway Items: College swag is reserved for INFO’s flagship events, if you have a separate, non-INFO budget, contact infocomm@umd.edu to discuss and place an order
      • Photography: Comms Team in-person photography and videography is reserved for INFO’s flagship events, however if you take pictures at your event, you can send them to infocomm@umd.edu to be shared in the Dean’s weekly update

STEP 3: Add to Shared Google Calendar: “INFO Events (shared)”

Self-Led Events: Advertising

Please note that the INFO Comms Team does not provide advertising support for self-led events. Please refer to the list below for some of the ways that you can self advertise your event.

Emergency Contacts
  • Fire – pull the closest fire alarm, evacuate using the nearest stairwell/exit (don’t use elevators), call 911
  • UMPD emergency 301-405-3333
  • UMPD non-emergency 301-405-3555
  • Escort Service: On campus: 5-3555; Off campus: 301-405-3555
  • N.I.T.E. Ride Transportation Services: 301-314-NITE (6483)
  • UMD Facilities 24/7 line 301-405-2222
  • After hours UMD nurse line: 301-314-9386 (5pm/weekends)
AY25-26 Dates of Note

This list was created 8/7/2025. Be sure to also check the “INFO Events (shared)” google calendar for the most up-to-date schedules.

INFO EVENTS   UMD EVENTS & OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

SEPT

  • 9/1 M: Labor Day (UMD CLOSED)
  • 9/2 T: First Day of Classes Fall Semester
  • 9/4 Th: INFO Welcome Back Event 3-5pm INFO Commons
  • 9/5 F: INFO Assembly, Lunch, All-Staff Mtg
  • 9/10 W – 9/12 F: UMD NextNOW Fest
  • 9/12 F: UMD First Look Fair 10-3 McKeldin Mall
  • 9/16 T: Grad Nuts & Bolts 4-6pm INFO Commons
  • 9/19 F: Tech Block Party 11am-1pm HBK Plaza
  • 9/22 M – 9/24 W: Rosh Hashanah
  • 9/25 Th – 9/26 F: UMD STEM Career Fair 11-4
  • 9/30 T: UMD Career Fair (all) 11-4

OCT

  • 10/1 W – 10/2 Th: Yom Kippur
  • 10/3 F: INFO Assembly, Lunch (no All Staff)
  • 10/3 F: Family Weekend Reception 2:30-4:30pm INFO Commons 
  • 10/13 M: Indigenous Peoples Day
  • 10/13 M: Fall Break (UMD CLOSED)
  • 10/14 T: Fall Break (STUDENT EXTRA DAY OFF)
  • 10/18 Sa – 10/22 W: ACM SIGCHI CSCW Conference, Norway
  • 10/20 M – 10/21 T: Diwali
  • 10/26 Su – 11/1 Sa: Homecoming Week
  • 10/26 Su – 10/29 W: ASSETS Conference, Denver
  • 10/?: Place holder: Additional INFO Homecoming Event?
  • 10/31 F: INFO @ Homecoming Carnival 5-7 McKeldin Mall

NOV

  • 11/1 Sa: Homecoming Football Game
  • 11/7 F: INFO College Lunch, All Staff Mtg
  • 11/?: Place holder: Dean’s Lecture?
  • 11/11 T: Veterans Day
  • 11/14 F – 11/18 T: ASIS&T Conference, VA
  • 11/26 W: (STUDENT EXTRA DAY OFF)
  • 11/27 Th – 11/28 F: Thanksgiving (UMD CLOSED)

DEC

  • 10/5 F: INFO Assembly, Lunch, All-Staff Mtg
  • 12/12 F: Last Day of Classes
  • 12/14 Su – 12/22 M: Hanukkah
  • 12/15 M – 12/20 Sa: Final Exams
  • 12/25 Th: Christmas
  • 12/25 Th – 12/30 T: Winter Break (UMD CLOSED)
  • 12/26 F – 1/1 Th: Kwanzaa

JAN

  • 1/1 Th: New Year’s Day (UMD CLOSED)
  • 1/5 M – 1/23 F: Winter Term/Break
  • 1/7 W: Eastern Orthodox Christmas
  • 1/19 M: MLK Day (UMD CLOSED)
  • 1/26 M: First Day of Classes Spring Semester

FEB

  • 2/14 Sa: Valentine’s Day
  • 2/16 M: Presidents Day

MAR

  • 3/4 W: Place holder: Giving Day (Final Date TBD)
  • 3/16 M – 3/18 W: Spring Break (UMD CLOSED)
  • 3/19 Th – 3/20 F: Spring Break (STUDENT EXTRA DAYS OFF)
  • 3/23 M – 3/26 Th: iConference Virtual Program
    3/29 Su – 4/2 Th: iConference In-Person Program, Scotland

APR

  • 4/3 F – 4/5 Su: Good Friday & Easter
  • 4/10 F: Place Holder: INFO Awards Night (Final Date TBD)
  • 4/13 M – 4/17 F: ACM CHI Conference, Barcelona
  • 4/25 Sa: Place holder: Maryland Day (Final Date TBD)

MAY

  • 5/?: MLA Annual Conference, Dates TBD early May
  • 5/8 F: Last Day of Classes
  • 5/10 Su: Mother’s Day
  • 5/11 M – 5/18 M: Final Exams
  • 5/15 F – 5/16 Sa: Shabbat (excused from exams)
  • 5/19 T – 5/22 F: College Commencements (INFO Date TBD)
  • 5/20 W: UMD Commencement

Full religious calendar

Full UMD holiday calendar and student calendar

For questions or additional needs, please email info-eventrequest@umd.edu.