---
title: Terps Together
date: 2024-08-26T03:00:00-04:00
author: Mei Lu
canonical_url: "https://president.umd.edu/news/terps-together"
section: News
---
# Terps Together

*August 26, 2024* — by Mei Lu
> The new semester is here, and we'll tackle it together. That means Terps look out for other Terps. We'll prepare for the election together, debate and disagree together, and make a plan to vote together.

Message from President Darryll J. Pines


My fellow Terrapins,

Do you know what I love most about the first day of the fall semester? That it’s a first for every one of us. Even faculty like myself who have been on campus for decades still get that first-day feeling. Our incredible staff feels it too.

The new semester is here, and we'll tackle it together. That means Terps look out for other Terps. We'll [**prepare for the election together**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=2963d049221026d1adb21a81bf688e734686514286cdfc0b01bb86f499b745e361d5515d5cd25c163e2bfdce8a07e32566078f3c97bd1168), debate and disagree together, and make a plan to vote together.

Very soon, we will introduce to campus a new, streamlined resource that makes it easier for all of us to prioritize our mental health and well-being. We will share the results of the [**Belonging and Community Survey**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=2963d049221026d119122084e6a78add438ae2fd6993a19f98e601ae4b8d146d69c45f3dacbc0da978b3632cb99a77b1b7cf9494295ac27d) that many of you participated in last year, addressing gaps and making plans to improve.All of this is in pursuit of excellence and a multicultural, inclusive campus - my top priorities since my first day as president.

So, let's watch a game together and [**cheer on our Terps**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=2963d049221026d16e9ca532030c60a43758167ee1fe55846ef6c88a117f1beb2a3b0484358aec97b1c0f1697aa84e60872378b0bd0654f3), and be wowed by our community's creativity at [**NextNOW Fest**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=2963d049221026d15babb0764c879ffe495d7173193ffb5c95c7d26c5bc0c2f64ac79247ae9e2cd596d1ef52e2463c073420b367eea013e1). Ask me for a turtle pin if you see me out today or any day of the year.


*Multiple images of President Pines posing with members of the university community*


And don’t forget to mark your calendar for [**First Look Fair**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=2963d049221026d1e9f6e16805ac138a36a691b8ec98cdc10621f0a6b02d34db99d305c6bc13ad378c2343342f71cc59e6080c158ec04365) and [**Convocation**](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=2963d049221026d1757aa2a034d25749508f52bd76bf16c159281febf289aab9f4a6e5ceba62d71a5e7ca9874eda571e1b6b6641bf3e5be2), where you can connect with other Terps who share your passions and interests. There's a first time for everything, and it all starts now.

Sincerely,


**Signature of President Darryll Pines**

**Darryll J. Pines**  
*President, University of Maryland*  
He/Him/His

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Instagram: [@President\_Pines](https://www.instagram.com/President_Pines/)