UMBC spring welcome

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:47:37 -0500

We are writing to welcome you to the start of our spring semester. The beginning of each semester is a moment for all of us to reflect on our shared goals and values. As we look forward to working together over the coming months, we also pause to recognize how major events and news from the past few weeks have an impact our community.

During winter break, we saw continued instances of violence in our nation and across the world. Our leaders discussed the future of immigration and the DACA program, and the national conversation on gender equity, sexual harassment, and sexual assault gained greater visibility. We also marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day—opportunities to learn from the past and makes steps toward a better future for our nation and world.

UMBC is a community committed to our shared vision of advancing knowledge, prosperity, and social justice by welcoming and inspiring inquisitive minds from all backgrounds. In these times of both challenge and opportunity, we invite all members of our diverse UMBC family to connect with each other in the spirit of mutual respect, dignity, and understanding. Let us remember that each of us has a story, and that our unique perspectives enrich UMBC and help us reach our shared goals.

We encourage you to visit our diversity and inclusion website and to suggest additional resources to promote through inclusion@umbc.edu. Given the news and public dialogue over the last few weeks, we also invite students to contact the UMBC Counseling Center,USG Center for Counseling and Consulting, Women’s Center, University Health Services, and other support resources as needed. Faculty and staff can request counseling through the Inova Employee Assistance Program by calling 1-800-346-0110.

Thank you for all that you do to strengthen our community, and best wishes for the new semester.

President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous