URCAD Applications are open!
Apply Now! Take the next step in your educational career!
Save the Date: April 19-25, 2021
Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) features research, scholarship, and creative work carried out by UMBC undergraduates. Student work is shared through oral presentations, posters, artistic exhibits, performances, and film. Over 300 presenters participate annually. Researchers work with faculty mentors on independent research, or research that is part of the mentor’s on-going projects. They are from all disciplines, and can be working on a thesis, capstone project, part of a scholars or honors program, or they can be unaffiliated.This campus-wide celebration of achievement affirms UMBC’s commitment to the twin goals of research and a distinctive undergraduate experience.
All current undergraduates who have conducted research, scholarship or creative work in the last year may apply to present their results at URCAD. Mentors, fellow students, friends, family members, high school teachers and students, graduate school recruiters, and the general public are invited to attend.
Remember.... YOU ARE research!
ur.umbc.edu
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Save the Date: April 19-25, 2021 Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) features research, scholarship, and creative work carried out by UMBC undergraduates. Student work is...
https://ur.umbc.edu/urcad/
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research
ura
urcad
Undergraduate Research
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Undergraduate Research
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Mon, 04 Jan 2021 12:31:01 -0500
Tue, 17 Aug 2021 15:32:02 -0400
Winter Wednesdays: Exploring Baltimore's Queer Past
with Dr. Kate Drabinski!
Re-posting from Winter Session: Beyond the Classroom. For all the details to include login information, please go to their direct event post.
***********
Join us for the first virtual Winter Wednesdays event in a series of informal talks on a variety of interdisciplinary topics.
Students, faculty, and staff — bring your own lunch and stay connected with the UMBC academic community.
Bio: Kate Drabinski is Senior Lecturer in Gender, Women's, + Sexuality Studies and Director of the WILL+ Program (Women Involved in Learning) at UMBC. Her research and teaching interests include feminist and queer theory, feminist activism, and the history of Baltimore City.
Accessibility InformationPersons with disabilities who need accommodations or have questions about access may contact Natalia Panfile.
We are taking 50 students to be in the Transfer Student Network (TSN) Mentor Program for the Spring 2021 semester. Those who are selected for the program (first come, first served) will be paired with a TSN Leader (peer mentor) and will be required to meet virtually with their mentor at least twice during the duration of the 6-week program. In addition to 1:1 meetings, participants will be required to attend at least two virtual transfer workshops or events. Those who complete the program will receive a graduation cord when we are back on campus, a certificate, and digital badge to put on your LinkedIn profile or resume!
The application can be found
HERE. Please note the application will close on January 15th, 2021.
]]>
Interested in being paired with a current transfer student who can help you navigate your first semester here at UMBC? Consider applying for OCSS's Mentor Program designed specifically for new,...
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Commuter Connections
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Mon, 04 Jan 2021 09:49:20 -0500
Virtual Study Room
Winter Session Hours
The Virtual Study Room will be open for winter session hours. Work along side fellow Retrievers for a focused study environment! Drop in during open hours.
Winter session hours (January 4 - January 25):
Mondays - Thursdays 12 PM - 3 PM
The VRS will be closed December 24 - January 3.
Enter the WebEx Virtual Study Room during open hours:
What to expect:
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The Virtual Study Room will be open for winter session hours. Work along side fellow Retrievers for a focused study environment! Drop in during open hours. Winter session hours (January 4 -...
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reference
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Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery
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Wed, 23 Dec 2020 10:57:55 -0500
December 22: Retriever Ready Action Update
End-of-Year Health & Safety Requirements
Please see the latest updates on UMBC’s Retriever Ready website. Questions? Email covid19@umbc.edu.
This is the last Retriever Ready Action Update for 2020; the next edition will arrive in your in-boxes on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Best wishes for a healthy and restful break.
Winter Symptom Tracking Requirement for On-Campus Students
- Residential students who have access to winter housing are required to continue daily online symptom tracking during the winter break. Failure to do so may result in a loss of access to on-campus housing.
Testing Requirement for Those Returning to Campus in January 2021
- All employees, researchers, and student workers who will return to campus after the winter break must obtain a COVID-19 test. Please review this page for more information.
COVID-19 Health & Safety
- Here is the latest Maryland Department of Health COVD 19 Advisory, which shares information about travel and highlights the CDC advisory limiting gatherings to those within your immediate household.
Enter the USM Public Health Challenge
- The University System of Maryland (USM) COVID Research & Innovation Task Force invites members of the USM community to take part in a multimedia Public Health Challenge by submitting original videos and social media campaigns that highlight ways for Marylanders to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic. The deadline for entry is 9 a.m. on January 25, 2021. Click here to learn more.
Counseling Center and UHS Closures
- In keeping with UMBC’s winter break closure, the Counseling Center and University Health Services will be closed between December 24 and January 3. The Counseling Center after-hours support line will continue to operate and can be reached at (410) 455-3230.
UMBC Together
- Did you miss the Grit & Gratitude Virtual Holiday Event last week? You can enjoy the full program, including appearances by campus leadership, student performers, and UMBC's own Rhodes Scholars, here! Happy holidays, everyone!
]]>
Please see the latest updates on UMBC’s Retriever Ready website. Questions? Email covid19@umbc.edu. This is the last Retriever Ready Action Update for 2020; the next edition will arrive in your...
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covid19update
UMBC Community News
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UMBC Community News
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Tue, 22 Dec 2020 14:15:32 -0500
i3b Winter Hours and Availability
We’re taking time to rest and so should you! i3b’s staff is out of the office beginning Wednesday, December 23rd. We’ll return on January 4th when UMBC re-opens.
While we are taking the time to intentionally rest, we will be unavailable by regular means (I.e. email, phone, Instagram). When campus re-opens, our services, programs, and resources will continue to be housed virtually. At that time, you can reach us at
i3b@umbc.edu.
Happy holidays and see you in the new year!
Recently, our UMBC community has been
made aware of divisive language shared on social media pages that has
negatively impacted members of our community, specifically members of the
LGBTQIA+ and Muslim communities. Taking into account all the ways that our
individual and community’s well-being has been negatively impacted this year,
situations like this cause additional stress and trauma. Here at UMBC,
diversity and inclusive excellence are principles and practices that we value.
When we honor these values, it helps to keep our community and its members safe
and well.
The Office of Health Promotion (OHP)
deeply cares about the well-being of each and every member of our community,
regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race/ethnicity, or
religion. The OHP team, which includes our professional and student staff, want
to affirm our dedication to fostering a culture of mutual respect and equity.
We also recognize that all members of our community are free to express their
points of view but do not believe that this freedom should be used to harm
members of our community.
The greatness of our UMBC community is
reflected in how we care for and treat each other. We honor and will continue
to support the well-being of all students. We stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+
and Muslim-identified members of the community during this time, and always.
To the LGBTQIA+ and Muslim-identified
members of our UMBC community,
We see you. We hear you. We value you.
If you are in need of additional
inclusion resources, we encourage you to contact the following UMBC offices
before December 23 or after January 3 due to UMBC’s closure for the winter
break.
❏ The Office of Equity and Inclusion
oei@umbc.edu
❏ Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and
Belonging
i3b@umbc.edu
❏ The Women’s Center
womenscenter@umbc.edu
If you would like to process these events
with a professional, the Counseling
Center is available to
all students. Please contact 410-455-2472 to make a virtual appointment.
If you are looking for support resources
between December 23, 2020 and January 3, 2021, please call the after-hours
support line 410-455-3230.
]]>
Recently, our UMBC community has been made aware of divisive language shared on social media pages that has negatively impacted members of our community, specifically members of the LGBTQIA+ and...
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Office of Health Promotion
https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/healthed
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University Health Services & Health Promotion
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Fri, 18 Dec 2020 16:45:31 -0500
Welcoming Our New Retrievers!
Dear UMBC Community,
As we wrap up the fall semester, we wish to remind you that soon we will be welcoming our newest Retrievers to the UMBC community!
Over the next month, over eight hundred newly admitted undergraduate and graduate students will take part in a number of virtual activities as they prepare to join our community, including new student orientation (undergraduate and graduate), new international student orientation, academic transition programs, and Welcome Week.Kudos to our colleagues in Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation, Graduate School, International Education Services, Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, who have worked to ensure our new students’ transition to UMBC is a smooth and welcoming one. Thanks also to the faculty and staff in each department, orientation advisors, and academic support staff who stand ready to assist our new students in their academic planning and course selection. And, finally, tremendous thanks to the many UMBC students, including orientation peer advisors (OPAs), global ambassadors, and Welcome Week woolies, who are also helping our new students get off to a great start.
We hope you will join us in creating a welcoming experience for our new students. Examples of ways you can help welcome our newest Retrievers in this virtual space include adding/updating “new student-specific” content on your website, updating your voicemail greetings to welcome “new students and families,” and adding “welcome new students” signage to your virtual backdrops.
Thanks for your continued support as we welcome our new students to #RetrieverNation!
Provost Philip Rous
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Dear UMBC Community, As we wrap up the fall semester, we wish to remind you that soon we will be welcoming our newest Retrievers to the UMBC community! Over the next month, over eight hundred...
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UMBC Community News
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UMBC Community News
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Fri, 18 Dec 2020 16:19:33 -0500
Women's Center Winter Hours and Availability
The Women's Center will be closed from December 23rd until UMBC re-opens on Monday, January 4th.
During this time, Women's Center staff will be unavailable through our usual means of communication. We'll be resting and recharging ourselves and we hope you'll be able to do the same!
Our services and support will remain virtual throughout the winter semester beginning January 4th. To connect with a staff member you can email us at
womenscenter@umbc.edu or call our mainline Monday through Friday at 410-455-2714.
]]>
The Women's Center will be closed from December 23rd until UMBC re-opens on Monday, January 4th. During this time, Women's Center staff will be unavailable through our usual means of...
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Women's, Gender, & Equity Center
https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter
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Women's Center
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Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:10:22 -0500
UMBC Mourns the Passing of Alex Rittle, GSA President
Dear UMBC Community,
It is with much sadness that we inform the campus that Alex Rittle, President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and a Ph.D. candidate in Geography and Environmental Systems (GES), passed away unexpectedly. We do not yet have details on services to celebrate Alex’s life but will share them with the community as they become available.
Alex will be remembered for his kindness and his commitment to helping his fellow graduate students succeed at UMBC. His involvement with GSA began as representative of the GES Graduate Student Organization from 2016 to 2018. He was later elected to serve as Chair of the Graduate Experiences, Achievement, and Research Symposium (GEARS) Committee 2018–2019. He was currently serving his second term as President of the GSA, and was active in UMBC shared governance, serving on the University Steering Committee 2019–2020. He also represented UMBC on the University System of Maryland Student Council and served on the joint Graduate Council linking UMBC and the University of Maryland, Baltimore. As a student representative from UMBC, he was both confident and eloquent as he worked to ensure the graduate student perspective was heard and understood.
Janet Rutledge, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School, remembers that “Alex was a tireless and enthusiastic advocate for graduate students. It is telling that one of his last projects was spearheading an initiative to produce a graduate student survey, to learn how graduate students were doing during the pandemic, and discover ways in which GSA and the University could help.”
We will remember his authenticity, his passion for education, and his ability to make us think and laugh. All of these qualities shone through in his message of hope and congratulations for our Graduate School Class of 2020. In his pre-recorded Commencement remarks, Alex said of UMBC, “the compassion here is contagious…a UMBC grad knows that accomplishments are not about the attention or the notoriety that may or may not be received. No, we do what we do because we want to make the world, our community, and our homes...better.”
We will also remember his dedication to his academic studies. Alex began his Ph.D. program at UMBC in fall 2015 and reached Ph.D. candidacy in fall 2019. In 2017, Alex was among only four students awarded a prestigious Coastal Resilience and Sustainability Fellowship from Maryland SeaGrant. Matthew Baker, professor of Geography and Environmental Systems and Alex’s doctoral advisor, recalls that “Alex really took to the combination of applied science and outreach he was exposed to at Maryland SeaGrant. It was his dream to become a fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, where he would have an opportunity to contribute to federal science and technology policy.”
Alex’s GSA colleagues remember him as a compassionate and thoughtful leader who inspired all to speak up and voice their opinions and ideas, and who did so without ever passing judgement. Fariha Khalid, former GSA Senator, said, “Alex managed to open every meeting with a lighthearted joke or funny stories that made everyone feel welcome and brought even the most important of conversations back down to earth. His ability to lead such a diverse group of graduate students looked so natural, and he always managed to find the perfect balance between professionalism and friendliness.”
A strong advocate for the UMBC graduate community, Alex spent countless hours searching for ways to improve the lives of students on topics ranging from student mental health and food and financial security to international student issues, graduate assistant rights, and opportunities for research and creative achievement. Samantha Fries, GSA Vice President says, “His heart was so big, and the genuine, deep compassion he felt for his peers was always evident in his words and actions. His loss will be felt greatly by many, and we will strive to honor him by continuing the wonderful work he has done to better the lives of the UMBC graduate student community.”
Deanna Cerquetti, former GSA Vice President, noted, “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is to lose Alex Rittle. As the leader of the GSA, he truly worked hard to give graduate students a voice at UMBC, all with a natural charisma and sense of humor that made everyone feel welcome. Though it’s incredibly difficult to imagine UMBC without him, I know the impact he had on our community will inspire us all to be kind to one another and to continue to work together to make things better.”
Meghan Lynch, Chair of GSA Legislative Concerns, remembered, “I felt so welcomed and encouraged by Alex. I could tell he embodied all of what I know to be true of UMBC: authentically showing up, especially when times are tough, and ensuring people come together for the better. Alex made everyone feel that they were truly part of the community.” GSA Historian Kylie Hoffman added, “Alex’s compassionate leadership and actions will not be forgotten. He never failed to put a smile on the faces of those he crossed paths with, and he spent countless hours searching for ways to improve the lives of students. He will be dearly missed.”
GSA Administrative Assistant Dawn Galindo shared, “Alex was truly blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and quick wit that will forever be missed yet always remembered with great fondness. Alex was pure joy.”
We know that many in our community are deeply affected by this news. Students in need of emotional support can contact the Counseling Center at (410) 455-2472 on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., or the after-hours support line at (410) 455-3230. Employees can access support through the Employee Assistance Program.
During this challenging time in this most challenging year, we leave you with the heartfelt advice that Alex provided to the Class of 2020: “Lead, challenge, ask difficult questions, be wrong so that you can be right later, push yourself, do not let the small defeats distract you from the larger victories, and lastly, love and care for one another like your life depends on it.”
President Freeman Hrabowski
Provost Philip Rous
Janet Rutledge, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
Mehrshad Devin, President, Student Government Association
Samantha Fries, Vice President, Graduate Student Association
Bobby Lubaszewski, President, Professional Staff Senate
Orianne Smith, President, Faculty Senate
Melody Wright, President, Non-Exempt Staff Senate
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Dear UMBC Community, It is with much sadness that we inform the campus that Alex Rittle, President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and a Ph.D. candidate in Geography and Environmental...
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