Dr. Marilyn Berman Engineering Living-Learning Program: Virtus

First-year students are required to live in the Flexus and Virtus residential community in Easton Hall. This requirement applies only during the first year of participation in the program.

Beginning in their second year, students may choose where they would like to live. While they are welcome to remain in Easton Hall, many students choose to live with other Flexus and Virtus students in different residence halls or housing locations on campus.

Living together during the first year helps students build connections with other engineering students, develop a strong peer support network, form study groups, benefit from peer support, and participate in social activities within the community.

In addition, the Flexus & Virtus student lounge is available on the ground floor of Easton Hall for all Flexus and Virtus participants. This space is used for free Flexus and Virtus tutoring services, studying, and other activities.

If you have any questions about the roommate finder process or housing, please contact Resident Life| reslife@umd.edu

*The WIE Program is are committed to supporting our students while ensuring that all participants benefit from the rich community and resources Flexus and Virtus offer.  Students accepted into Flexus or Virtus are required to live on campus during their first year. However, waivers can be requested to accommodate a variety of circumstances, for example, students commuting to campus from home or needing special housing arrangements. 

Flexus and Virtus is a two-year program designed to support students during their first two years of college. Students are required to enroll in a 1-credit seminar each semester, completing four seminars over the course of the program.

Students are also encouraged to take introductory engineering, math, and science courses with other Flexus and Virtus students when possible.

Completing all four seminars is a requirement to complete the Flexus & Virtus programs.

These 1-credit seminars explore a range of topics that seek to:

• Enhance campus and community engagement;
• Promote critical self-awareness while developing leadership skills; and
• Connect engineering to social impact.

The required courses include:

*satisfies 1 credit of the General Education DVCC requirement

A student-led programming board coordinates community events throughout the year. Virtus students have access to a variety of resources provided by the WIE Program, such as: networking opportunities; mid-semester advising; virtual tutoring; peer mentoring; and WIE Program staff.

Applicants must be admitted to the A. James Clark School of Engineering as first-year students for the fall semester in which they are applying.

Because space is limited, Flexus and Virtus are intended for students who are not participating in another living and learning program. If a student is admitted to Flexus or Virtus and another program that also includes a residential component, we ask that they choose between the two opportunities.

The residential experience is an important part of each program. Participating fully in one community allows students to build stronger connections, engage consistently, and make the most of their experience.

Living in Easton Hall with the Virtus community as a first-year student is a requirement for participation in the program. However a waiver can be requested to accommodate a variety of circumstances, for example, students commuting to campus from home or needing special housing arrangements.  

The Flexus and Virtus Engineering Living-Learning Programs are run by the WIE Program. Please direct any questions about the program by email to wie@umd.edu or by phone to:

Paige Smith
Director
Phone: 301-405-3931