Hi everyone!
We're back at the Apartment Community Center! We hope to see you there!
We're back at the Apartment Community Center! We hope to see you there!
.jpg)
]]>
Dear Campus Community,
As a result of the government shutdown, the FAA has determined that it will begin reducing air traffic at select airports. Airlines will phase in the cuts at the direction of the FAA, eliminating 4% of flights at 40 airports as of today and working up to 10%, BWI is one of those airports.
Many community members have reached out to Business Services to ask, if they make other travel arrangements, due to the disruption in air service, will this be reimbursed even though this may not be the least expensive mode of transportation?
The circumstances causing our community members to choose alternate, and in many cases more expensive, modes of transportation are beyond our control. As you are making your alternate plans, be assured that as long as your Division leadership approves the changes and the increase in expense, we will support you in getting them reimbursed.
The leadership team will continue to monitor travel expenses during this period of uncertainty and disruption. If the increased cost of travel becomes unsustainable, additional guidance and/or restrictions may be necessary.
We would advise you to consider:
Here are some FAQ's to guide you as you consider alternate travel arrangements:
If time permits it would be best practice to get a new pre approval. However, in many cases time is of the essence and processing a new pre approval may not be practical. In these cases, we advise that the traveler send an email to their approver advising them of the change and the additional cost, prior to booking. A simple one word "approved" email response, will be sufficient as a pre approval.
If upgrades that would normally be outside of policy are the only options available, discuss it with your travel approver and make sure they are aware of the financial impact. Follow the above guidance regarding preapprovals in this case.
If you are away from campus and trying to get home, feel confident that we are going to support your efforts to get home. If you booked your travel through Altour our travel management partner, we suggest you contact them and they can assist you in your alternate arrangements. Phone: 800-333-2115
]]>
Stop by the Fireside Lounge for some free coffee, bagels, pastries and more!
]]>This past summer and early fall, the DoIT Infrastructure teams rolled out significant technology upgrades across campus, directly impacting the quality and consistency of your classroom experience. These projects ensure our most-used spaces are equipped with modern, reliable, and accessible tools for everyone.
DoIT's Audiovisual Services and Desktop Support teams have successfully completed a comprehensive technology refresh in several high-traffic, Registrar-controlled classrooms. These include:
Information Technology and Engineering (ITE) 241
Engineering (ENGR) 022, 104/104A, GAIM Lab 005
Physics (PHYS) 201
Math and Psychology (MP) 008, 012, 102, and 105
Engineering 027 Lecture Hall
In the DoIT Computer Lab 104/104A, the Desktop Support team installed 49 new Dell All-in-One computers with the latest instructional software. In the CoEIT GAIM Lab, ENGR 005, the Desktop Support team worked with Computer Science faculty to redesign the lab to provide both BYOD (bring your own device) and new Dell workstations to enhance the student instructional experience.
Explore Engineering 027 Lecture Hall in the video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c_I73-4JaM
These upgrades do more than just replace aging equipment. The new systems immediately support lecture capture technology and significantly improve accessibility, ensuring that classroom content is easier for every student to access.
Best of all, every room now features the familiar campus standard AV control interface. This means whether you're a professor teaching in PHYS 201 or a student presenting in MP 105, the technology will be reliable, intuitive, and consistent.
Beyond these central spaces, AV Services also worked with departments across CAHSS, CNMS, COEIT, and several administrative units to refresh their departmental classroom and conference room systems.
Several departments and offices relocated to the renovated Sherman Hall in the early Fall with the support of DoIT's AV Services, Desktop Support, and Network Engineering Teams. They assisted Academic Engagement and Transition Programs, Individualized Study Program, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Department of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems, Language Literacy and Culture Doctoral Program, Naval Science Lab, Sherman Scholars, and the Education Department with their office moves. In addition, the Desktop Support and Network Engineering teams moved eight other departments in late summer in order to support the second phase of the Sherman Hall renewal.
Collaborative efforts were made to ensure new technology was documented in our inventory process, and old equipment was properly disposed of and documented.
DoIT is a critical partner in Phase I of the multi-year Sherman Hall renovation, a project led by Facilities Management that will transform one of UMBC's core academic buildings. This renovation is creating a modern, technology-enabled learning hub at the center of campus.
Our teams defined the necessary technology standards, coordinated infrastructure, and oversaw the installation of new network, audiovisual, and other essential systems. Throughout departmental moves to temporary spaces, teams from Audiovisual Services, Client Services, Network Engineering, and Telecommunications ensured that technology remained fully operational.
Working closely with the Classroom Committee, CAHSS, and other colleges, the AV team designed classrooms, conference rooms, and specialized spaces to meet the current and future instructional needs of our faculty and students.
Phase I will conclude in fall 2025, with Phase II following. Once complete, Sherman Hall will feature new, cutting-edge classrooms, offices, and student gathering areas that will significantly enhance the academic experience at UMBC.
Learn more about the Sherman Hall Phase 1 completion on the "Sherman Hall's Phase 1 renovation is complete, creating space for creative collaboration" post.
A complete campus classroom and lecture hall evaluation has been completed to maintain and care for existing campus instructional systems. This evaluation included:
Full system operation check
Firmware and software updates
Projector maintenance and lamp changes
Replacement of failed components
Full inventory check
Verify remote system status monitoring
This process allows our team to detect issues early and maximize the system process. By catching issues early and often, the campus can ensure the classroom and lecture halls are ready for use when faculty and students arrive, avoiding delays and frustrations. A thorough review of the systems also reduces the response times of technicians because the systems are up-to-date, making the diagnostic process quicker.
Great job to our DoIT Infrastructure teams!
We're keeping the momentum going as we continue to roll out SAP Concur!
Join us today from 9:30–11:00 AM for virtual support on Webex — our team is here to answer your questions and help you get comfortable using the new system.
Join the session (this is not a training)
It's simple to get started — just sign in with your existing Southwest account or create a new one using your UMBC email address. Once registered, the discount will automatically appear when you book flights through the Southwest Business (SWA Biz) Portal, giving you access to special rates and flexible travel options.
For details and to access all UMBC travel discounts, visit:
https://travel.umbc.edu/concur/travel-arrangements/discounts/
We are thrilled to announce that Ed Kelly has been awarded the October DoIT Gritty Award! This well-deserved recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions to the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) over his remarkable 18-year tenure at UMBC.
The Gritty Award is given to DoIT employees and teams who exemplify outstanding work and go above and beyond, and Ed has certainly done both. His dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit have made a lasting, invaluable impact on critical university systems and student services.
Throughout his career, Ed has been instrumental in numerous strategic projects, earning the admiration of his colleagues as a trusted team member. What truly sets him apart is his unselfish willingness and ability to share knowledge, mentoring countless individuals across UMBC, UMGC, and Io Consulting. Early in his career as an EPIC PeopleSoft Technical Trainer, he even achieved a kind of "celebrity" status, known and respected for his passion for teaching and practical tips.
His foundational and ongoing work is what keeps many of UMBC's most important systems compliant and functional.
Ed's technical prowess and steady leadership have been critical to the success of several high-profile initiatives:
For his eighteen years of Grit, dedication, and invaluable service to UMBC and DoIT, we are proud to present Ed Kelly with the DoIT Gritty Award. Congratulations, Ed!
The Gritty Award is in recognition of outstanding work within the Division and beyond. Full-time DoIT employees, DoIT student employees, and teams are eligible to be nominated for going above and beyond! Anyone in DoIT can nominate someone for the Gritty by completing this short Gritty Nomination Form.
The DoIT Community & The DoIT Gritty Committee
Erica D'Eramo
Ada Crutchfield
Andrew Shebest
Anthony Finneran
Carlos McKinney
Daniel Loftus
Dave Souder
David Toothe
Debbie Michaels
Dondre Hatef
Josh Abrams
Khalil Alston
]]>