Dear UMBC Community,

It is my pleasure to let you know that Governor Hogan's declaration of Friday, December 23, 2022, as a state holiday applies to UMBC.

Therefore, UMBC will be closed December 23, 2022 -- January 2, 2023, and will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. December 23 will be designated as a holiday on time sheets. Employees required to work on December 23 will have 12 months to use the holiday.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for everything you do for our community. I hope you find time for fun, rest, and relaxation during the winter break, and I look forward to seeing you in 2023.

Kathy L. Dettloff, Vice President for Administration and Finance

Good Morning Commuters is a weekly event specifically designed with our students in mind. 
For those who attend we hope you enjoy the event as much as we do getting to share breakfast with you weekly. If you have never attended a Good Morning Commuters Breakfast we would still love to hear from you.  

Please consider filling out this short survey to help us plan for the upcoming semester.
https://forms.gle/nUsNZ6PFN6tZXe568

The survey will close on December 22nd. Thank you for your time and if you have any questions please feel free to email Grace , degrac1@umbc.edu

Dear UMBC Community,

As you may know, COVID-19, influenza, and RSV cases are rising in Maryland and across the nation. UMBC is also seeing an increase in these illnesses and we encourage you to take steps to keep yourself healthy. As we prepare to finish the semester and return to families and friends over winter break, please make a plan for how you can reduce your risk of contracting and transmitting some of these illnesses.  

The first step to consider is once again wearing a high quality mask when in public and/or crowded spaces (i.e., classrooms, labs, the library, and other group activities). UMBC still offers free masks at locations across campus.  

Second, make sure to get the latest seasonal flu vaccine and the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. We have already administered more than 2,500 vaccines this semester. The final vaccine clinic of the semester is taking place tomorrow, December 15, 2022.  A limited number of appointments are still available.

Finally, continue best practices to minimize disease spread, such as handwashing or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, staying at home and isolating from others when sick, and covering your cough.

We have just over one week to go. Let's finish strong and healthy.  

Vic Madrid, Medical Director, Retriever Integrated Health
Samantha Smith, Director, Office of Health Promotion

Women's Center Winter 2022-2023 Hours of Operation:

Through the winter, the Women's Center staff will be working remotely and in-person. We encourage campus community members to contact us through email at womenscenter@umbc.edu or via phone at 410-455-2714. Staff will generally be most available between the hours of 10am - 4pm. We appreciate your patience in our response to your email or returning your phone call.

December 14th to December 20th: Finals Week Reduced Hours

On Study Day (Wednesday, 12/14), 12/15, 12/16, 12/19, and 12/20 the Women's Center lounge will be open from 11 am to 3pm. 

December 21st to December 30th: Closed

January 3rd to January 26th: Winter Hours

During the Winter Term, the Women’s Center Lounge will re-open on Tuesday, Jan 3rd and will be open from 10am to 3pm Tuesday through Thursday. The Women’s Center will be closed on Fridays. 

Women's Center staff will be working remotely on Mondays and while our lounge will be closed, staff are still available to support the UMBC community - please reach out to a staff member directly or through our shared email or phone.

Our normal Spring hours will resume on January 30th with the beginning of the Spring  semester.

The Women's Center lactation room continues to be available by reservation. For details, contact us at womenscenter@umbc.edu.

Individualized Support Meetings:

Women's Center professional staff are available for individual meetings and support which we can provide via phone or video chat and in some cases in-person; to schedule an appointment, email womenscenter@umbc.edu or call 410-455-2714. If you are already working with a specific staff member and need to set up additional meetings, feel free to reach out to the staff member you have been working with directly (via email or even g-chat!). 

Visit our website for all the ways we can provide support.

If you haven't already, follow us on social media where we're sharing resources and communicating with our community!

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram  

Please also feel free to communicate with us through any of these channels.

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Other Helpful Resources:

To report and seek services for incidents related to sexual violence, relationship violence, and all other sexual misconduct, complete the online form located on the Office of Equity and Inclusion's website. TurnAround's 24/7 helpline is 443-279-0379. For a full list of off-campus resources, visit Retriever Courage.

For UMBC community members who need access to healthy food and other essential supplies visit Retriever Essentials or the myUMBC Retriever Essentials group for up-to-date information on how to access food and toiletry items.

For information about Academic Success Center's services and support (tutoring, Writing Center, SI Pass, academic advocates, etc.) visit their website.

For access to health and human services information, visit 2-1-1 Maryland or dial 2-1-1. 

For UMBC-related COVID-19 updates, visit covid19.umbc.edu or email covid19@umbc.edu.

Dear UMBC Community,

As the weather grows colder, we want to take this opportunity to update you on UMBC's response to inclement weather and our policies and procedures for weather-related delays and closures. 

Please sign up for our emergency text alerts. This is the most effective way to receive urgent updates for weather-related delays, closures, and campus emergencies. In addition to text alerts, we will also post alerts on both the UMBC homepage and myUMBC. 

Please note that the decision to close campus or open late applies to the UMBC campus only.  For community members not located on campus, please follow the protocols for your specific location. This includes:

• Shady Grove Campus -- Visit the Universities at Shady Grove campus alerts website.
• bwtech@UMBC -- Email crice@umbc.edu to sign up for the bwtech@UMBC text alert system.
• Columbus Center -- The Columbus Center follows University of Baltimore policies and procedures during inclement weather due to its proximity.

When it becomes necessary to close the campus for inclement weather, employees designated essential personnel must report. Decisions about Administrative Leave for all other employees will be made based on the weather conditions that day and communicated accordingly.

If campus remains open, please use personal judgment when traveling to and from campus as weather and road conditions vary by your personal location. The decision about whether it is safe to travel ultimately rests with each individual. Please be sure to communicate early and often with your supervisor should you have any concerns. It is our goal to keep you safe and warm this winter.

UMBC's full policies and procedures for inclement weather are available on this webpage. It includes information on how and when decisions are made, response plans, and details on how delays and closures impact events, parking, and more. 

Wishing you and your families a happy and healthy holiday season.

Kathy L. Dettloff, Vice President for Administration and Finance

Attention all UMBC student employees!  

What could be better than having an on-campus job?

Having an on-campus job and getting a notation on your transcript that tells employers you made the effort to enhance your professional development!

Interested in gaining a competitive edge in the job market? Sign up for PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success this Spring semester. Don’t worry, it’s not a formal class! With the minimal commitment of attending a few workshops and career events, you will be better prepared for the world of work and have the proof on your college transcript to show your employer.

DEADLINE TO REQUEST ENROLLMENT: Thursday, March 2,2023

Make your campus experience count! Enroll TODAY! Enrollment is limited to the first 40 student employees. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!  

Open to all levels and majors. You must be a UMBC student employee working at least eight hours per week on campus. 

How to Register Online

1. Log in to Handshake, then navigate to Career Center > Experiences.

2. Click “Request an Experience” and select “Career Center – On-Campus Student Employment (PRAC 102- Building Skills for Career Success)” as the Experience Type. Fill in the required fields and submit.

3. Your registration will be reviewed within two business days. The Career Center will enroll you directly upon review along with sending you additional details.

QUESTIONS, please contact Stephanie Taylor (staylor18@umbc.edu) 

On Wednesday December 14th, Come stop by OCSS to fuel your brain and feed your soul! Snack will be out all day or while supplies last. 

Please only take two items and be mindful of others.