Dear UMBC Community,

As we start the new semester, we are reminded that the work of inclusion and equity is never complete, either at UMBC or elsewhere across the nation. I am grateful for all of the support that the University community has given the Office of Equity and Inclusion over the past two years as we created a new model of support for community members while at the same time responding to the pandemic, political divisiveness, and more. Given the vital role this office plays in our campus community, I wanted to share some changes. 

Morgan C. Thomas '13 will serve as our Acting Director and Title IX Coordinator. During her time at UMBC, Morgan has demonstrated her passion and commitment to both this community and the work of inclusive excellence. Morgan also served on the Retriever Courage Implementation Team. In addition to these responsibilities, Morgan continues to serve the campus community in contract review and handling of Maryland Public Information Act requests on behalf of the University.

Ever Hanna will serve as our Acting Deputy Title IX Coordinator and continue to lead our training efforts and case management. The work Ever has accomplished since joining our community has strengthened the University's culture of care while addressing inequities on our campus.

Jordan Brooks will continue to serve as a Civil Rights Investigator and to help manage cases in the office. Jordan joined the team in 2021 and is looking forward to in-person connections with our campus community over the next couple of months. Jordan previously worked in student affairs at several colleges and is focused on making our campus a safe and welcoming community for everyone.   

We also have begun the search for an additional Civil Rights Investigator to support the work of the office.

In the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing key next steps for the work of both the Office of Equity and Inclusion and the Inclusion Council. We appreciate your support and partnership, and our attention to the work that the community has entrusted us with remains unwavering.

In partnership,

Candace Dodson-Reed ’96, Chief of Staff to the President and Executive Director, Office of Equity and Inclusion

To Our Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Many in our community are shocked and saddened by recent events, both on and off campus. This week, UMBC Police are investigating two reports of hate-bias crimes. These reports  encompassed an attack on a Muslim student, the use of anti-Black slurs in an online meeting, a targeted verbal attack on a Black student in that meeting, and comments referencing LGBTQ populations. And now, with the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, we are once again reminded that injustice persists in our society. We still have so much work to do.

First, we want to make sure that as our community reacts to this news, students, faculty, and staff have the support that they need. You can find a comprehensive and timely list of resources for community members on this myUMBC page. We will also continue to share links to any upcoming care and support events. Please reach out to one another and, if you need help, ask for it.

While the close occurrence of these two reports of hate and bias in our community is troubling, we deeply appreciate the courage of the victims and witnesses who came forward to report these acts. Thank you for putting your trust in the University to investigate these reports and provide support for all affected.

Most importantly, we must all continue to commit ourselves to doing the work of equity and inclusion on our campus and beyond. Thank you for everything you do to support this work. This is truly the DNA of UMBC and what keeps hope alive.

President Freeman Hrabowski

Provost Philip Rous

Mehrshad Devin, President, Student Government Association

Orianne Smith, President, Faculty Senate

Joel Tyson, President, Graduate Student Association

Melody Wright, M.A. '21, President, Non-Exempt Staff Senate

Jess Wyatt, President, Professional Staff Senate

Dear UMBC Community,

We are deeply saddened and concerned to learn about a reported hate-bias crime in The Commons Tuesday night. A UMBC student reported that she was approached by an unknown male who attempted to pull off her hijab, the traditional headscarf worn by some Muslim women.

Acts such as this have no place at UMBC. Hate and bias are counter to UMBC values, especially our community’s deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and welcoming people of all backgrounds.

UMBC Police are investigating, and the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Equity and Inclusion have reached out to the student, as well as other students impacted, including the Muslim Student Association, Student Government Association (SGA), and the Graduate Student Association (GSA).

The UMBC community is invited to a community care space for support and dialogue on Monday, November 22, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being at The Center for Well-Being, and is a collaboration between Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging (i3b); the Muslim Student Association; SGA; and GSA. Counselors from Retriever Integrated Health will be on-site to provide additional support as needed. Imam Yaseen Shaikh from The Islamic Society of Baltimore and Rabbi Jeremy Fierstein, chair of the UMBC Religious Council, will also be on-site to provide additional support as needed. The front patio of The Center for Well-Being will be used as a back-up location if needed to accommodate COVID-19 capacity expectations. The Center for Well-Being is located on Center Road between Chesapeake and Susquehanna Halls.

Students in need of support can contact i3b at i3b@umbc.edu. Faculty and staff can access support through the Employee Assistance Program.

We are committed to offering a safe and inclusive campus environment where community members and visitors of all backgrounds feel that they belong.

Community members, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni, can always report concerns using this confidential reporting form. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555.

It is essential that we continue to work together in building a caring, equitable, and inclusive community. Thank you for your commitment to inclusive excellence at UMBC.

President Freeman Hrabowski

Provost Philip Rous

Mehrshad Devin, President, Student Government Association

Orianne Smith, President, Faculty Senate

Joel Tyson, President, Graduate Student Association

Melody Wright, M.A. '21, President, Non-Exempt Staff Senate

Jess Wyatt, President, Professional Staff Senate