March 20: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update
Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely (facilities will remain closed).
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, connected with UMBC.
For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit COVID19.umbc.edu.
Student Services and Support
Please make sure to view Dr. Hrabowski’s message to the Class of 2020 about Commencement. Questions and ideas can be shared at commencement@umbc.edu.
We know many students are eager to return to campus and retrieve their belongings. Careful planning and sequencing are necessary to allow this to happen safely. Until this plan is established, students who have left campus for spring break will be unable to access their residence halls. Students with an urgent need to retrieve items from their residence halls may contact Residential Life.
University Health Services will be providing services remotely starting Monday, March 23, from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays. Please call 410-455-2542. If you have non-emergency health concerns outside of regular business hours and wish to speak with someone from UMBC’s After-Hours Support Line, please call 410-455-3230. If you are experiencing a physical health emergency while on campus please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555. If you are off campus please call or 911, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
The Counseling Center is providing students with crisis support remotely via Webex and phone from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays. Please call 410-455-2472. If you have mental health concerns outside of regular business hours and wish to speak with someone from our After-Hours Support Line, please call 410-455-3230.
Academic Continuity
Online instruction begins Monday. The Division of Information Technology is standing by to help, check out https://doit.umbc.edu/.
View the Provost’s latest message to faculty and staff here.
UMBC is currently operating in a Research Maintenance Mode, PIs and lab staff must apply to be on campus. Any prior lists of essential personnel submitted last week are no longer valid, and will need to be resubmitted through the Access Exception Form. More information and the form is available here.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion, Academic Success Center, Office of Accessibility and Disability Services, and Office of International Education Services (IES) are open and working remotely to support students, faculty and staff.
Business Continuity and Staff Support
Since the posting of the COVID-19 Timekeeping Instruction & Reference Guide, HR has determined that the campus would benefit from two edits to the guide. Attached is the updated version which includes: (1) a link to the web page for the electronic timesheet (ETS) video tutorials and written guides; and (2) clarification of key factors for departments to consider when determining payments for the non-Federal work study student employees. The edited guide is available here.
Human Resources mailed all live checks to employees for checks dated Friday, March 20th. Employees who had a live check were sent an email notification from Payroll on March 18, 2020 that checks were being mailed. This notification let them know to expect their check to be delivered to the address on their tax forms.
Facilities
Only faculty and staff with explicit permission from their supervisors should be on campus. We understand that faculty and staff may need to access their offices on a one-time basis. If you need to do so, please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555. Visits should be limited to 30 minutes or less.
All mail will need to be picked up at the mailroom in University Center, 8am-12pm M-F. There is ground-level access next to the ATM as all other doors are locked.
UMBC Transit has suspended all routes effective today 03/20/20 and until further notice. Information and alternative transportation options will be posted to the Transit group page. Please refer all questions via email to transit@umbc.edu.
If you have questions or concerns, please email COVID19@umbc.edu.
