Dear Members of the UMBC Community,
On Monday afternoon, the governor announced that state government offices will close on Wednesday, December 5, in honor of the late President George H.W. Bush. The governor's announcement did not include the University System of Maryland (USM), its 12 universities and two regional higher education centers, all of which operate under a separate personnel system that enables independent decision-making regarding closures.
The announcement comes as universities across Maryland’s public higher education system race toward the end of the fall semester, final exams and winter break. With so few days to complete (or make up) the necessary instruction, coursework and exams, the USM is aware of the challenges that closing would pose to tens of thousands of students and faculty.
The USM has given individual institutions the flexibility to decide whether to close or remain open as scheduled on Wednesday. Guided by the needs of our students and the potential impact on their ability to successfully complete the semester, UMBC will be open Wednesday.
In addition, we want to let you know that UMBC will be closed Friday, December 21. We wish all of our dedicated staff, faculty, and students an enjoyable and restful winter break.
Freeman Hrabowski and Philip Rous
On Monday afternoon, the governor announced that state government offices will close on Wednesday, December 5, in honor of the late President George H.W. Bush. The governor's announcement did not include the University System of Maryland (USM), its 12 universities and two regional higher education centers, all of which operate under a separate personnel system that enables independent decision-making regarding closures.
The announcement comes as universities across Maryland’s public higher education system race toward the end of the fall semester, final exams and winter break. With so few days to complete (or make up) the necessary instruction, coursework and exams, the USM is aware of the challenges that closing would pose to tens of thousands of students and faculty.
The USM has given individual institutions the flexibility to decide whether to close or remain open as scheduled on Wednesday. Guided by the needs of our students and the potential impact on their ability to successfully complete the semester, UMBC will be open Wednesday.
In addition, we want to let you know that UMBC will be closed Friday, December 21. We wish all of our dedicated staff, faculty, and students an enjoyable and restful winter break.
Freeman Hrabowski and Philip Rous
