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THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2011
OBAMA from page 1 Stamp Student Union for local community members. This is Obama’s second Twitter town hall in the last month. He hosted his first July 6, inviting Twitter followers to ask him questions with the hashtag #AskObama, which netted more than 169,000 tweeted questions and comments from across the country. Although the major political event was announced with just three days to spare, Williams said hosting the meeting is a testament to this university’s hospitality. “Obviously, it recognizes that we have resources available, and it’s a great honor to be chosen by the president of the United States to be a forum for this discussion,” he said. “We’re doing what we can to support the effort.” University Police and Department of Transportation Services officials said they are quickly gearing up for the high-profile visit. University Police would not release details about the security measures that will be in place Friday, but said they plan to help provide security “appropriately given the nature of this event.” “We will have the level of staffing necessary to ensure a successful and safe event,” University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky said. “The preparations are consistent with the nature of the event and where it’s being held.” DOTS Assistant Director Beverly Malone said officials are expecting 1,000 to 1,500 guests. Because the event has been dubbed “significant,” DOTS will be drawing on its special events staff, which also works at athletic events, to direct
traffic around Ritchie. “It seems like a lot [of people], but it’s nothing like basketball games,” Malone said. The parking lots that will be impacted are K1, K*5, 5B — the Ritchie Coliseum lot — lots 16A and 16B on Fraternity Row, the first row of spaces in K2 and the Turner Hall/Visitor Center lot. Malone said permit holders will be able to park in Regents Drive Garage. Friday will be Obama’s fourth visit to the campus. He last came in 2009 where he spoke in Comcast Center on health-care reform before an energetic audience. In 2008, he visited the campus as part of his presidential campaign. In 2006, he campaigned on the campus for then-Rep. Ben Cardin (D), who would go on to win his race for the Senate. Some students said they are ready to hear the president speak on an important national issue. “I think it’s amazing that he’s been coming here so much,” said senior bioengineering major David Lai, who said he plans to line up about 7 a.m. Thursday to secure a ticket. “I think money is generally a topic a lot of people are interested in, especially students with our tuition going up. … So in coming to a university campus it’s a way to comfort us that education is on his mind and he wants to listen to students.” College Park Mayor Andy Fellows said the president choosing this university as a venue for discussing budget issues demonstrates his unwavering commitment to higher education. “The president is wise to use a public institution because it illustrates the value we get from higher education,” Fellows said. abutaleb@umdbk.com
ON THE BLOG
ARBORETUM from page 1 Arboretum and Horticultural Ser vices. “I would love the arboretum to be one of those things that unites all programs on [the] campus.” And the programs that kicked off this summer aim to help students appreciate the campus’ beauty, Celebuski said. Every Wednesday at 8 a.m. during the summer, the Center hosts guided tree walks that tour different botanical gardens on the campus, such as the Peace and Friendship Garden near university President Wallace Loh’s resi- The university’s newly-created Arboretum Outreach Center launched programs this summer to dence. The tours conclude showcase the campus’ beauty through guided walking tours. MATTHEW CREGER/THE DIAMONDBACK with brown-bag lunches andOngoing projects include becomes an umbrella organispeakers, at which university Outreach Center but would faculty, staff and students be willing to sample some of the beautification of Hager- zation for all those kinds of stown Woods — an outdoor activities,” Celebuski said. have spoken about the cam- its offerings. Jonathan Lin, the univer“I think ever ybody should picnic area between the Denpus’ horticulture and their work with botanical gardens be interested in trees,” said ton and Ellicott communities sity arborist’s assistant, said Secrest. “Trees provide a lot — and the Chesapeake he hopes the center will overseas in Taiwan and Italy. During the school year, [for us], so we might as well Natives Sun Garden at the reach students across all research greenhouses fields of study. these events will occur once know a lot about them.” “The whole arboretum is Additionally, the building located behind Comcast Cena month. “Ever yone can relate to will ser ve as a place for all ter. Additionally, the St. basically a part of the [the speakers] on some the arboretum volunteers to Mar y’s Garden Club, South school,” said Lin, a senior Campus’ rooftop garden and urban forestr y major. “Stulevel,” Petroff said. “We all congregate. “We wanted a place where the public health school gar- dents walk across the school have plants in our lives, so volunteers could go and find den plan to coordinate proj- ever yday, they see part of it it’s a very universal topic.” Some students, such as it more welcoming,” Cele- ects with the center this year, everyday. … [It’s] become a part of campus life.” senior mathematics major buski said. “It just makes it a according to Celebuski. “We’re hoping the ArboreDan Secrest, said they had- lot easier to accommodate tum Outreach Center news@umdbk.com n’t heard of the Arboretum our volunteers.”
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blogs.umdbk.com/campusdrive WHAT’S IN A NAME? “Maryland,” “The University of Maryland, College Park,” “UM,” “UMD” — the list goes on — but these are all names by which this university is known. With so many monikers, it begs the question, “How does one refer to this university?
For years this university has flip-flopped between the abbreviations “UM” and “UMD,” but all it took was a June Diamondback column to get administrators to decide on one official nickname: “UMD.” To read more, visit The Diamondback’s online news blog, Campus Drive.
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