The Edward St. John Learning And Teaching Center (ESJ) at the University of Maryland (UMD) offers a variety of spaces for academic classes, meetings, and events. Before making a reservation, please review our space guidelines to ensure your request aligns with ESJ policies. This guide provides detailed information on how to reserve space within the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center, catering to various user groups from academic departments to external organizations.
Reserving TERP Classrooms for Academic Courses
For academic classes, TERP Classrooms within the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center are available for reservation by scheduling officers. These reservations are typically made during the open online course scheduling period. Priority for classroom allocation is given to courses meeting specific university criteria. For any inquiries regarding reserving ESJ classrooms for academic courses, please contact Course and Classroom Scheduling Services directly at [email protected].
Space Reservations for Internal UMD Users
The Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center provides free access to its TERP classrooms for internal users, including academic units and campus programs. These spaces are ideal for hosting various events such as information sessions, orientations, meetings, and training sessions during regular building operating hours. Availability aligns with the Office of the Registrar’s policies concerning General Purpose Classroom bookings. It’s important to note that under certain circumstances, as detailed at the bottom of this page, academic events might be subject to rental fees.
Booking for Academic Units and Faculty
Faculty members and academic units can easily reserve classrooms in the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center through their department’s designated department scheduling officer. These officers are authorized to submit online room reservation requests for any suitable ESJ classroom, streamlining the booking process for academic purposes.
Reservations for Administrative Units
Administrative units within the University seeking space for meetings, training sessions, and other campus-user-focused events can utilize ESJ classrooms. Units without a designated scheduling officer can directly request space by emailing [email protected] or by completing the space request form available online. This ensures administrative teams have convenient access to meeting and event spaces within the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center.
Information for Registered Student Organizations
It is important for Registered Student Organizations to note that ESJ classrooms are not generally available for free reservations. However, exceptions can be made for large-scale events like symposiums or conferences. In such cases, space rental is possible at the internal user rate, coordinated through Conferences and Visitor Services. This service involves an additional fee for coordination, separate from the space rental cost. Student organizations must provide at least two weeks’ notice for reservation requests. Please be aware that ESJ does not accommodate weekly group meetings or small, impromptu gatherings for student organizations.
For events that qualify as large conferences or symposiums, student organizations can inquire about space availability by filling out the ESJ event form.
Registered Student Organizations have the option to book free General Purpose Classroom (GPC) space in other buildings through Event and Guest Services located in Stamp Student Union, offering alternative free venues on campus.
Alternatively, a University academic or administrative unit can officially “host” a Student Organization’s event. In this arrangement, the hosting unit assumes responsibility for room reservation (following the procedures for Academic and Administrative Units), acts as the primary contact, and accepts all financial and legal obligations related to the event.
For student study needs, the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center also features seven Huddle Rooms, specifically designed for student use and collaboration.
Huddle Rooms for Small Meetings and Group Study
ESJ’s Huddle Rooms are compact conference rooms accessible to all UMD students, faculty, and staff. These rooms are ideal for groups of three or more and can be reserved up to two weeks in advance for a maximum of two hours. Booking requires a campus directory ID and password, ensuring secure and managed access for the UMD community.
Space Rental for External Users
The Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center extends its facilities to external organizations and the public for hosting conferences, meetings, and various other events. External users interested in renting space should contact UMD Conferences & Visitors Services to discuss their needs and arrange bookings. Detailed information on rental costs can be found in our Rental Rate Sheet.
Potential Rental Fees for Internal Events
Even for campus-related events, certain factors may lead to rental fees at the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center. These conditions include:
- Events requiring a general space for catering or receptions.
- Events occurring outside of the building’s standard operating hours.
- Events needing additional audio-visual (AV) support beyond standard classroom equipment.
- Events that necessitate security services.
- Events primarily aimed at external users or audiences.
- Events that charge participants a fee to attend.
For a comprehensive breakdown of potential charges, please refer to our detailed Rental Rate Sheet, ensuring full transparency on costs associated with different types of events at the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center.
