October 1, 2025 - Parent & Family by The Diamondback

The University of Maryland’s Independent Student Newspaper

THE DIAMONDBACK parent and family guide

7 construction update

family weekend history

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Lillian Glaros

Evelyn Reidy

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Olivia Borgula

Amanda Sinofsky THE DIAMONDBACK:

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A Shuttle-UM bus drives along Regents Drive on Sept. 24, 2025. (Will Swearingen/The Diamondback)

Here’s the best places to take your family during Family Weekend

By Amanda Sinofsky | Diversionsreporter

Family Weekend is upon us, and it can be a struggle to find places to go and things to do with family members while they’re in town. Besides the football game and other events hosted by the University of Maryland, College Park and neighboring towns have plenty of restaurants and activities to do beyond campus. During Family Weekend, these destinations are the perfect place to take any visitor.

Burtons Grill & Bar

Burtons Grill & Bar in Riverdale Park is a staple higher-end American restaurant to try when guests are in town. It has a relaxed yet upbeat atmosphere and a variety of menu options. My favorites are the chicken Milanese alfredo and the California chicken sandwich, but any meal at Burtons is definitely worth the visit.

The Greene Turtle

The Greene Turtle is one of the newer additions to the College Park restaurant and bar scene, located on Route 1. It has countless food options for a quick lunch with your family. I’m a big fan of the blackened chicken caesar wrap and Bavarian pretzel sticks. If you don’t want to go when it’s super busy, be sure to steer clear during Maryland’s football game.

and bikers to beautiful Lake Artemesia. Nestled just east of campus, the lake is a daily destination for many students and locals. While your family is in town, Lake Artemesia is a must see and the perfect place to spend quality time.

Rally House

Rally House, which opened in 2024 on Route 1, is the spot for anything and everything Maryland-themed. Whether you’re from Maryland or an out-of-state student, it’s likely your family will want to sport some Terps merchandise, and Rally House is the place to get it.

GrillMarX Steakhouse & Raw Bar

Conveniently located in The Hotel at the University of Maryland, GrillMarX Steakhouse & Raw Bar is a popular spot for an upscale meal in College Park. GrillMarX offers a variety of dining options, from brunch on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to seafood, steak, burgers and other options for dinner guests. If you want to stay in College Park but are looking for a nicer restaurant to go to with family, GrillMarX is the ideal choice.

The University of Maryland Golf Course

During select times throughout the weekend, golfers of all skill levels are welcome to practice on the driving range at the University of Maryland Golf Course. The course is offering a free medium bucket of balls to guests with Family Weekend wristbands on all three days of events. If you or your family members are golfers, a visit to the course is a great way to spend some time together.

Lake Artemesia

The Paint Branch Trail, which runs about four miles around College Park, leads walkers, runners

No matter what you decide to do while your family is in town, College Park offers countless opportunities for fun and quality time with loved ones this Family Weekend.

The Greene Turtle logo off of Knox Road on Nov. 10, 2024. The Greene Turtle is a sports bar and grill franchise based primarily on the East Coast. (Neelay Sachdeva/The Diamondback)

The UMD Golf Course on Nov. 21, 2022. (Neelay Sachdeva/The Diamondback)

A pedestrian walks along the trail near Lake Artemesia on Feb. 26, 2025.

(Sam Cohen/The Diamondback)

The interior of Rally House on Oct. 21, 2024. (Sam cohen/The Diamondback)

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK 2025

FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH

Talking with your Terp about Mental Health

Conversation Starters

Check in with your Terp. Asking open-ended questions and practicing active listening skills will help lead to more meaningful conversations

“How have you been managing your stress this semester?”

“Do you feel connected to other Terps on campus?”

“Are you setting aside time for exercise? Self-care? Sleep?”

“How have you been feeling lately?“

“Our family has a history of mental health/substance use issues, I think we should talk about what that could mean for you ”

Signs of a Possible Mental Health Concern

Feeling very sad or unmotivated for more than 2 weeks

Expressing suicidal thoughts or behavior

Extreme risk-taking behavior

Overwhelming or unexplained fear

Significant sudden changes in eating, appetite, or weight

Severe mood swings or difficulty managing emotions

Substance use concerns

Dramatic changes in behavior or personality

Difficulty forming or maintaining social relationships

Tips for Continuing the Conversation

Offer support in a non-judgemental way

Listening, asking question, and validating experiences often go further in conversation than offering opinions

Problem-solve issues together, rather than offering advice

Normalize the experience of challenges and discomfort

Take your Terp's struggles seriously and encourage them to seek out professional help, as needed

FAMILY WEEKEND EVENTS

Feeling overwhelmed by the number of Family Weekend events to experience? The Diamondback has you covered. Those registered for Family Weekend should pick up their wristbands and tickets in the atrium of Stamp Student Union from 12:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Here’s a list of some of the most unforgettable activities for a fun-filled weekend with your loved ones.

Friday, Oct. 3

2:30 to 4:30 p.m. - The Clarice at 25 Exhibition Tour

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is celebrating 25 years as this university’s hub for performing arts. At one point, it was the largest single building in Maryland.

In the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, visitors can see an exhibition of photos and documents chronicling the history of performing arts at this university. A guided tour will be available at 3 p.m.

6 to 8:30 p.m. - McKeldin Movie Night: Night of the Living Dead

The University Libraries are ushering in spooky season with a screening of one of the most iconic horror movies out there — Night of the Living Dead. A post-film discussion will be held as part of the libraries’ “Library of the Macabre: Researching Horror in Popular Culture” programming in their Scholarship as Conversation series.

Popcorn and drinks will also be available to attendees. There’s no add-on fee, but you have to register in advance

By Stella Garner I Tabloids editor

to attend.

Saturday, Oct. 4

9 to 10 a.m. - 7th Annual 0.5K for Terp Essential Needs

Though not exactly a race, participants in the 0.5K will complete stretches from McKeldin Library to the Miller Administration Building with a midway hydration station to grab coffee and donuts.

All participants will receive a commemorative bumper sticker, and proceeds from registration will go to the Fostering Terp Success Program and the Campus Pantry. The two resources provide resources to combat student homelessness and food insecurity.

To attend, you must register in advance and buy a ticket at $20 a person.

12:30 to 3 p.m.* - Terp Family Festival and Tailgate Get ready for the Terps to take on the Washington Huskies with a tailgate full of activities and great food.

Pack a picnic or pre-purchase tickets to the barbecue buffet, and enjoy a live DJ, face painting, henna art, balloon animals and a visit from Testudo on McKeldin Mall. A cashless bar will also be available for parents.

12:30 to 2 p.m. - Insect Petting Zoo

Not a football person? Check out the insect petting zoo instead.

Students and their families can visit with more than 100 insect species while learning biodiversity. Featured insects

will include mantises, isopods, millipedes and tarantulas at the event on McKeldin Mall.

7 to 9 p.m. - Monsters University and bingo

If you’re looking for a movie night that’s a little more light-hearted, pick up a bingo sheet at the Hoff Theater in Stamp Student Union for a family-friendly night of competition. Popcorn and drinks will be available, and bingo winners will get special prizes at the end of the night.

Sunday, Oct. 5

10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. - 20th Annual Gospel Brunch

One of the most highly anticipated annual events of Family Weekend is back this year, in partnership with the Washington Performing Arts Men & Women of the Gospel Choir.

A brunch buffet is available with about $49 tickets for adults and university students, or about $17 for those 9 years old or younger. The buffet will be available before and during the performance, which promises a combination of traditional and contemporary Gospel music.

Seating and brunch starts at 10:30 a.m., while the performance will begin at 11 a.m.

They’re learning to take charge of their health and wellness.

here to help.

Health Promotion & Wellness Services (HPWS) supports student health, wellness, safety, and success because thriving inside the classroom starts with thriving outside of it.

A few short conversations can help set your student up for a safer and stronger school year and remind them that in addition to your support, there is always support available on campus.

Stress & Mental Health

How have you been managing your stress this semester? What’s working and what would you like to try? What can you do when you are feeling overwhelmed?

Healthy Relationships & Sexual Health

What does a healthy relationship look like to you and where could you go if you needed help? Where can students go to get safer sex supplies and STI testing on campus?

Substance Use & Risk Reduction

What resources could you turn to if you are worried about yourself or a friend?

What are some strategies you can use to keep yourself and your friends safer if you are in a situation where substance use may be present?

Nutrition

What is your plan to make sure you get meals or snacks on your busy days?

Students and families can visit health.umd.edu/hpws for information on support resources and services.

Here are the latest campus construction developments

By Lillian Glaros I Staff writer

The University of Maryland has continued to make progress on campus construction, including the Purple Line and various buildings. Here are the construction developments students can expect to see as they begin the semester.

Purple Line

This university’s students could expect to zip down Campus Drive on the Purple Line as soon as winter of 2027.

According to the Maryland Transit Administration, the Purple Line is more than 82 percent complete and all 21 stations are under construction. More than 65 percent of the track has been installed.

The Purple Line tracks on Campus Drive, Rossborough Lane, Presidential Drive and the intersection between Rossborough Lane and Route 1 have been completed, the Purple Line told The Diamondback in a statement.

The platforms, windscreens and canopies of the Baltimore Avenue – UMD station, mechanical enclosures at the Campus Drive – UMD Station and digital train signage support systems at the College Park Metro Station have also been installed, according to the Purple Line statement. This university released a statement last week

noting that while minor Purple Line construction continues in the center of campus, more major construction is occurring to the east and west of the campus center.

Rossborough Lane will remain closed west of Route 1 and between Route 1 and Diamondback Drive, according to this university.

New signals at the intersection of Campus Drive and Regents Drive were also implemented early this summer in preparation for the Purple Line.

“The new traffic signal will enhance safety while providing better coordination for pedestrians, motorists and the future Purple Line light rail vehicles,” the Purple Line statement read.

The Diamondback previously reported that traffic lights are also planned for the intersection of Union and Alumni Drive and the intersection of Campus Drive and Rossborough Lane.

The Purple Line College Park Community

HEre’s where campus construction is this fall

Advisory Team meeting is scheduled for Sept. 30 at 6 p.m., where interested community members can learn about current and future construction progress.

Stanley R. Zupnik Hall

Stanley R. Zupnik Hall will house the civil and environmental engineering department with 31 new laboratories, according to the engineering department’s website. The building will be at the corner of Paint Branch and Stadium Drive. Construction on the hall’s exterior structure is mostly complete, with the interior now being developed. It is expected to be completed in July 2026, according to this university.

Leonardtown Graduate Student Housing

The graduate student housing development underway in Leonardtown, named the Discovery House, is expected to open during the 2026 fall semester, the university told The Diamondback. The development will hold about 750 students and has accommodations ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments, according to this university. Associate provost and graduate school dean Stephen Roth told The Diamondback the upcoming housing will be below market rate. This will hopefully help graduate students afford housing and bring them to this university, Roth said.

Graduate Way, a road near the new development interlinking Yale and Princeton Avenues, has also been paved, this university stated.

McKeldin Mall

McKeldin Mall is brighter this semester after the installation of eight 45-foot LED fixtures this summer, the university said in a statement to The Diamondback. While the lighting installation is complete, the old lighting bases are expected to be demolished.

Purple Line construction outside the Reckord Armory on July 14, 2025. (Kaya Bogot/The Diamondback)