While You Were Away

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:36:00 -0500
prove-it, strive, the-commons, the-retriever-weekly

Here’s a brief update on a few UMBC-related happenings since mid-December:

Thirteen teams of students submitted detailed proposals for improving the campus as a part of SGA’s Prove It! competition. Later this semester, undergraduates will vote to select the winning proposal from among a small number of finalists. I’m told that the quality of the proposals is high, with no clear frontrunner. The winning proposal receives an implementation grant of up to $30,000, and the winning team gets to keep a $5,000 cash prize.

Four members of the UMBC staff with whom I’ve worked are leaving for positions elsewhere. I’m sad to see them go; each has gone above and beyond their job responsibilities to support students and strengthen the UMBC community. Michael Varhol, a University Counseling Services counselor, is leaving to pursue his interest in providing long-term psychoanalytic care in private practice. Lisa Benjamin, Program Coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Education, will become Director of New Student Programs at Towson University. Police Chief Antonio Williams has accepted the position of Chief of Police at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. And Adrienne Mercer, Director of Human Relations, is leaving to pursue new professional and educational goals.

Governor O’Malley submitted a budget plan that includes a 3% tuition hike at University System of Maryland campuses, including UMBC, for for in-state undergraduate students in 2010-2011. Out of state and graduate student tuition would rise by 5% under the plan. The increase would be the first in five years. The state is facing a $2 billion gap between projected revenues and expenses. Staff members face a second year without cost-of-living increases and merit raises.

Despite the furloughs, the ongoing hiring freeze and the generally grim economic forecast, members of the UMBC community exceeded the campus goal of 1,000 contributions to the annual Maryland Charity Campaign. The campaign generated 1,085 UMBC employee contributions, up from 930 in 2009 and 703 in 2008.

In the face of a massive dip in advertising revenues, The Retriever Weekly sought and received financial assistance from SGA. Even with the $26,500 in emergency SGA funding for the spring semester, TRW faces some difficult choices as it strives to streamline its operations, adapt to the changing ad market and continue providing useful and timely information to the UMBC community.

50 students and 5 staff members spent five days and four nights together at STRiVE, UMBC’s intensive off-campus leadership retreat. We’re still compiling the evaluations, but there is absolutely no doubt that it was an incredible experience for participants and coaches alike (I was one of the coaches). Consider applying to participate next year! I’ll be posting about other leadership development opportunities in the next few months, including a chance to participate in a regional student leadership retreat during the summer.

The hot dog and Dippin’ Dots vending machines in The Commons’ Game Room were replaced by a new vending machine with a variety of microwaveable sandwiches and snacks. (Will anyone miss those hot dogs?).

UMBC Magazine published its Winter 2010 issue, featuring the usual interesting and well-written alumni profiles, insights from faculty research, Q andA with Dr. Hrabowski and much more.

The Student Involvement Center in the Office of Student Life launched a new web site with resources for student organizations and students wanting to get more involved on campus.