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 the program.
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.
Beginning in the 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. Students must still go through the Department of Resident Life room and roommate selection process.
*The WIE Program is 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.
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:
| Term |
Course Title |
Course Number |
| Fall, First Year |
Transitions & Engineering Identity Development |
ENED115 |
| Spring, First Year |
Engineering Professional & Career Development |
ENES114/ENES116 |
| Fall, Second Year |
Introduction to Engineering Culture & Leadership* |
ENED215 |
| Spring, Second Year |
Introduction to Engineering & Social Impact |
ENES214/ENES216 |
*satisfies 1 credit of the General Education DVCC requirement
A student-led programming board coordinates community events throughout the year. Flexus students also 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 university program that has a residential requirement, students must pick 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 Flexus 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 general questions about the program by email to wie@umd.edu or by phone to:
Sam Murillo
Program Coordinator
Phone: 301-405-8308
Paige Smith
Director
Phone: 301-405-3931