Anacostia Building Meeting and Event Space
The Anacostia Building (formerly the American Center for Physics) is located in the Discovery District adjacent to the campus. The new space connects UMD’s flagship researchers with College Park’s growing Discovery District. The building is located at One Physics Ellipse Dr, College Park, MD 20740.
For general information and policies, please review the Anacostia Building Event & Meeting Space Guide.
To reserve our beautiful conference spaces on the first floor, please submit information via the Anacostia Building Meeting & Event Space Form. Please allow for up to three business days to receive a response to your request.
For other inquiries, please email abevents@umd.edu.
General Information About Reserving Space
Address
One Physics Ellipse Dr, College Park, MD 20740
*Up-to-date detour maps will be sent with your reservation confirmation when applicable*
How to Reserve Space
All space requests from UMD groups must be received via the Anacostia Building Meeting & Event Space - Request Form no later than 10 business days prior to the event. Reservation requests may be submitted up to 365 days in advance.
Please allow up to three (3) business days to receive a reservation confirmation and contract via email and calendar invite. While we will attempt to honor all reservation requests, please note that requests received with fewer than three (3) business days may not be processed. For requests submitted less than ten (10) business days in advance, confirmation forms are required to be completed within 24 hours of receipt.
Groups must complete the confirmation form within 10 business days of receiving the confirmation, or the reservation will be canceled, and the space will be released.
Rental fees will be processed after the event concludes via Workday Internal Service Delivery (ISD). You will receive a confirmation email that an ISD has initiated along with a copy of your final invoice. External units will work with C&VS for billing.
All cancellations must be received in writing to abevents@umd.edu no later than 48 hours prior to the event. Events canceled 48 hours or less prior to the event will be charged 50% of the total rental charges
Please note that when we have multiple events on the same day, we schedule a break between them, which allows our housekeeping staff time to refresh the spaces in preparation for your event. Due to the schedule of housekeeping staff, any event that ends after 3:00 p.m. will be the final event of the day in that space.
Tours
Tours of the facility are available by appointment only. Please email abevents@umd.edu to schedule a visit.
Who may reserve space
Spaces may only be reserved by University of Maryland internal groups and UMD external community partners. UMD internal groups are defined as current UMD faculty and staff. External community partners include local groups who have a direct affiliation with UMD faculty, staff, and students.
External community partners must submit an official reservation request using our google form. Upon availability, your unit will be connected with UMD Conferences & Visitors Services directly for further event/reservation planning.
What Space May Be Used For
Space may only be used for meetings and events related to the university’s academic mission, and are not able to be reserved for unrelated and/or personal purposes. Priority will be given to meetings and events that are directly academic-related. Classes are not permitted to be scheduled.
Office Hours
Anacostia Building Meeting & Event Space is managed by the Office of the Provost. The Anacostia Event Assistant is available during regular office hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Anacostia event space may be requested outside of this timeframe. Assistance will be limited for questions outside of standard business hours.
For additional information, please contact abevents@umd.edu.
About the Event Spaces
There are three meeting rooms, and one kitchen/lunch room located on the lobby level.
Conference Room 1209A
Seating Capacity: 72 | 9 tables/8 chairs at each
Max Capacity: 99
Furniture Set-Up: Pod-style seating
Technology Features: Projector, screen, microphone, Zoom & audiovisual capabilities
Download the Conference Room 1209A floorplan
Conference Room 1209A is located on the left side of the rotunda and is 2319 square feet. Conference Room 1209A has a pod-style seating arrangement. Furniture rearrangement for events is assessed case by case.
Conference Room 1309B & 1305C
Seating Capacity: 23 | 1 conference-style table/23 chairs around table
Max Capacity: 48
Furniture Set-Up: Boardroom (fixed)
Technology Features: Projector, screen, owl
Download the Conference Room 1309B floorplan
Download the Conference Room1305C floorplan
Conference Rooms 1309B and 1305C are located on the right side of the rotunda and are identical in size, 1639 square feet. They have permanent conference tables and cannot be reset in different styles. Conference Rooms 1309B and 1305C comfortably hold 23 people around the table. Conference Room 1309B has windows.
Kitchen & Lunchroom
Seating Capacity: 79 | 56 (cafeteria-style tables), 11 (4 high tops), 12 (buffet table)
Max capacity: 99
Furniture Set-Up: Cafeteria-style (fixed)
Please refer to the Event Spaces tab for more information on the spaces’ equipment and technology features and floor plans.
Room rates do not include event services such as technical support, catering, extra custodial support or security. The requestor will be required to coordinate directly with necessary personnel (e.g. DIT, Catering, Facilities Management, and DOTS).
The use of space by UMD student groups and external community partners are required to work through C&VS and will be subject to additional charges.
Campus Unit Fees
| Room | Capacity | Setup/Description | Half Day [<4 Hours] | Full Day [4+ Hours] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference Room 1209A | 72 | Pod-style Seating | $225 | $375 |
| Conference Room 1309B | 23 | Boardroom Style Seating | $125 | $200 |
| Conference Room 1305C | 23 | Boardroom Style Seating | $125 | $200 |
| Kitchen & Lunchroom | 79 | Reserved on a first-come, first-served basis | $125 | $175 |
| Full Suite of Spaces | Determined by event | Determined by event | $600 | $950 |
External Community Partner Fees
| Room | Capacity | Setup/Description | Half Day [<4 Hours] | Full Day [4+ Hours] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference Room 1209A | 72 | Pod-style Seating | $252 | $850 |
| Conference Room 1309B | 23 | Boardroom Style Seating | $300 | $550 |
| Conference Room 1305C | 23 | Boardroom Style Seating | $300 | $550 |
| Kitchen & Lunchroom | 79 | Reserved on a first-come, first-served basis | $250 | $350 |
| Full Suite of Spaces | Determined by event | Determined by event | $1,375 | $2,300 |
Event Host Responsibilities
- The hosting organization or department is responsible for the information provided when making a reservation. The requestor will be required to designate a contact person who is responsible for the proper conduct of the event.
- A reservation does not provide event services such as technical support, catering, extra custodial support, or security. The requestor will be required to coordinate directly with necessary personnel (e.g. DIT, Catering, Facilities Management, and DOTS).
- Under no circumstances is furniture or other property to be removed from the room or removed from other rooms. The host is responsible for any extra cleanup fees or damages to the facility incurred during the course of the event or during the event set-up and take-down. Any items brought in for the event should be removed promptly and the room returned to its original arrangement within the reservation time frame.
- Authorization to use reserved space cannot be transferred or loaned to another organization or individual. The type of activity of the event may not be changed from that requested.
- Failure to adhere to these policies may subject the hosting organization to future restrictions on space usage privileges.
Food and Beverage
- Light refreshments, such as continental breakfast or boxed lunches, can be placed within conference room spaces.
- Full-service catering (i.e., plated or buffet-style meals, passed hors d'oeuvres, large food displays) or multiple light meals (serving more than one light meal) is permitted in the Anacostia Building Lunchroom only.
- We strongly encourage UMD units to utilize our on-campus providers, such as Good Tidings, Goodies to Go, and Food Court Catering.
- Groups that reserve space and plan to have light refreshments within the conference room they reserve are responsible for cleaning up when their event concludes.
- Groups using the lunchroom are also responsible for cleaning up the lunchroom space once the event has ended.
- Please do not leave any food, beverage, or catering materials behind. Groups not adhering to this guidance may be assessed a cleaning fee.
AV Support
There are no dedicated on-site personnel to serve as IT contacts. We encourage you to bring your unit’s internal IT support to your event. If you wish to enlist other on-site support before and/or during your event, please indicate this on your official reservation request via our form. We will provide you with next steps in your event’s reservation confirmation email.
Technology Features
Each space is equipped with its own, varying technology features. Please review the room details and ensure that the technology features of the space you are requesting fit your needs.
Parking
Event parking arrangements will vary depending on the size of the event and the host's preference regarding reserved or self-pay parking. Event organizers who wish to cover the cost of attendee parking should submit event parking requests through DOTS’s online request form. Please see Anacostia’s FAQs for additional details.
Cleanliness
Groups that reserve space are responsible for cleaning up when their event concludes. Users are expected to return the room to an overall ready-to-use condition. Trash receptacles are provided for your trash disposal. For large or oddly shaped materials, please dispose of them in the dumpsters by the loading dock. Please do not leave any food/beverages or other meeting materials. Please wipe up any spills or sticky marks on the tables. You are responsible for the cleanliness and condition of the space for the duration of the reservation. You may be liable for the cost of clean-up or repair if the room is in disarray or damaged after the meeting.
Room Access
Rooms will be open at the time of your event. Please visit the front desk with any issues related to room access.
Decorations
Some decorations can be damaging to the facility and/or its equipment, this includes but is not limited to pictures, posters, paper products, and lighting. Decorations and displays must be free-standing. Nothing may be affixed in any manner to any surface, including the floor. Expressly prohibited is: nailing, tacking, and taping materials to painted surfaces, glass surfaces, and woodwork; or fastening display materials to draperies, light fixtures, and/or ceiling. Keep doorways, halls, and stairs unobstructed by decorations. Candles or any open flames are strictly forbidden, with no exceptions. Whenever there is a question on the use of something not listed above, it is the reserving group’s responsibility to contact abevents@umd.edu.
Noise control
Events in which there may be the use of sound amplification, acoustical instruments, singing, loud talking, or any other form of audible sounds may infringe upon other events and or activities taking place within the building or on campus. The Office of the Provost reserves the right to control the volume levels of an event and limit or discontinue any activity that interferes with normal and reasonable activity.
Fronting
Individual students and/or employees of the university may not reserve space for commercial purposes or act as agents for off-campus persons or organizations in order to use space.
Fundraising
Sales and/or solicitations by university departments and student organizations are viable on-campus fundraising opportunities. However, off-campus vendors may not sell, solicit, market, and/or promote retail or corporate businesses. All fundraisers must leverage the use of electronic money exchange (e.g. Venmo, Zelle, etc.) instead of collecting cash. Collecting cash funds could result in a need to have UMPD or other university-approved security present to prevent theft.
Storage and Overnight Use
No dedicated storage space is available for events. If you have a large-scale event, we suggest reserving Conference Room B or C as additional storage space but be mindful of the fixed furniture. We do not encourage overnight storage as the building is not monitored and the University of Maryland is not liable for the damage or theft of any materials. No overnight events are permitted.
Unattended Items and Lost and Found
The Office of the Provost is not responsible for personal or organizational items left unattended. If you find items left in a room, please bring them to the front desk immediately after the event. If you’ve lost an item, please contact the Anacostia Building Event Assistant at abevents@umd.edu.
Anacostia Policy and Procedures for the Use of Facilities and Outdoor Spaces
Currently, outdoor space at the Anacostia Building is not available for reservation. While guests are allowed to use the outside seating, you will have to re-enter the building through the front door. In addition, please click here to review the university-wide policy for facility use.
Sanctions
The Office of the Provost reserves the right to render sanctions against any reserving group that violates any Anacostia Building Meeting & Event Space policies or that of the University of Maryland.
Land Acknowledgement
The University of Maryland Land Acknowledgement:
The University of Maryland has been working to recognize our past and acknowledge the role our university has played throughout its history in denying access and full participation. An important part of that work is recognizing and respecting that the Piscataway People are the traditional stewards of the lands where we work, live and learn. The official University of Maryland Land Acknowledgement below was created by a working group of students, faculty, and staff who worked closely with Native and Indigenous Elders. This Land Acknowledgement may be displayed or read aloud at campus events. It is important that this be the only Land Acknowledgement used at the University of Maryland.
Accessibility
Event Accessibility Guide and Other Information:
The University of Maryland strives to make all its programs and activities accessible to those who want to attend. This includes physical and programmatic access/accessibility. Accomplishing this goal requires coordination across campus, as well as the participation of those seeking accommodation. However, the primary responsibility for accessibility rests with the event organizer.
Sustainability
Join your fellow Terps in reaching UMD's Sustainability Goals and Commitments. This document provides resources for incorporating sustainable practices into your event. The goal is not to host a perfectly sustainable event every time but rather to recognize how you can continuously make sustainable choices that align with your event. For specific questions, please reach out to the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@umd.edu.