This memorandum is to announce the Computer Replacement Initiative (CRI) for the Academic Year 2018-2019.  CRI is being extended across the campus to all faculty and staff; each division has developed the criteria to be used in that division.  This continues to be an important initiative as we strive to provide our faculty and staff with the technology tools needed to carry out our academic mission.  Funds available for the CRI continue to be limited and consequently we anticipate that we will not be able to fund all the meritorious applications.

Within Academic Affairs, the procedures for this year’s CRI will be the same as last year’s and we will also maintain the same subsidy levels as before.  Specifically, the subsidy for a laptop is $1,000 and the subsidy for a desktop is $600.  The goal for this differential is to promote the purchase of laptops by faculty and staff based on the advantages provided by laptops in the areas of academic continuity, sustainability, portability and teaching with technology as we continue to enhance our pool of classrooms.  Those wishing to purchase a different configuration may apply the subsidy amount toward the purchase of a customized computer configuration.  All computers should minimally be purchased with a three-year warranty.

Ordering of the new machines will occur in early June.  Installations will begin as soon as the machines arrive, and we will endeavor to complete as many of the installations as possible in advance of the fall semester.  Given the success achieved during the previous years with a single procurement and mass distribution of PCs, we will continue with a similar program this year.  As in the past, we will have several “standard” configurations included in this procurement.  The minimum and recommended configurations for a desktop and laptops can be found at:

 Recommended Technology for Faculty and Staff

 The CRI has always required cost sharing of new computers.  As indicated above, we will provide a subsidy of $600 for a desktop computer and $1,000 for a laptop computer.

We will place a bulk purchase with Dell so machines can be delivered and installed in advance of the start of the Fall 2018 semester.  Each individual will have the option of using the bulk purchase or ordering their customized unit from either Dell or another vendor.  I encourage you to participate in this bulk purchase plan given the benefits we have seen in the past.  Your department will be charged a one-time amount depending on which option you should select.  The options available and the exact department cost share for each option will be announced in March as soon as we have such information from Dell.

The timeline for this year’s CRI is the following:

• February 12, 2018 - Announcement sent to campus
• March 30, 2018 - Deadline for submitting the CRI application via the DoIT web form
• April 13, 2018 - Notification to chairs/directors of award recommendations from the review committee
• April 18, 2018 -Feedback from chairs/directors on the award recommendations
• April 23, 2018 -Review by the deans of the awards list
• April 30, 2018 -Awards are announced
• May 25, 2018 - Deadline for awardees to make their computer options selection
• Early June - Computer order will be placed

-the Bookstore

-Campus food vendors like Outtakes, True Grits, and Salsaritas

-Paying tuition and fees on myUMBC or at SBS

-Campus vending machines

-Print stations

-Local partner businesses

·  Make a Facebook post

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·  Make a myUMBC post

Ariel Poirier is a Geography and Environmental Studies major, graduating in December, 2018. She is the Treasurer for the GES Council of Majors, and a Newcombe Scholar for Returning Women through the Women’s Center.

Research Topic: Assessing functional traits (define how species interact in their environment and with each other- i.e. water requirements, height, seed dispersal) in plant species varying in low and high diversity communities. There are a total of 36 communities and also monocultures (controls) in both top soil (soil commonly used in gardens, rich and full of nutrients) and fill soil (used in vacant lots, not nutrient rich, contains glass, metal, brick etc).

How did you find the research opportunity? It was offered to me by my advisor, Dr. Christopher Swan, Geography and Environmental Systems, after I expressed having an interest in working with plants.

Do you get course credit for this work? I got research credit and was paid through the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies based out of New York. I have put a great deal of time into my research because I encountered a few setbacks along the way. It has continued through the school year, but I have followed through with my research regardless.

What was the hardest part about your research? Learning the hard way that nature has its own plan and might set things back despite best laid plans!

What was the most unexpected thing? My plants did not grow after the first seeding.

How does this research experience relate to your work in other classes? This REU position gave me a hands-on experience that I could not get in the classroom. Being able to have the chance to apply textbook education to real world experiments was rewarding and continued to build on the knowledge I already had.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? Ask about research opportunities! And ask many professors what they have available.

Photo: I am pictured collecting aboveground biomass for the topsoil monocultures. This involves cutting the species from the soil line and then placing them in the drying oven. After the biomass is dry, it is weighed and recorded. This species is Gypsophila Elegans, commonly known as Baby’s Breath.

Become an undergraduate researcher and get up to $1500 to support your research or creative work! Go to: ur.umbc.edu.ura  Application deadline: Feb. 16.

Orientation 2018: O-Team Application Information

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!

Make your campus experience stand out and count!

Enroll in PRAC 102 Building Skills for Career Success TODAY!  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.  Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Click HERE to enroll in this zero credit practicum for Spring 2018 .  Also, obtain the Syllabus below (SEE DOCUMENT DOWNLOAD).  Open to both undergraduates and graduate students from all majors/fields of study.

Deadline to enroll: March 5, 2018

Must be a UMBC student employee working at least eight hours per week on campus.
Supervisor confirmation of employment will be requested.
QUESTIONS, please contact Caroline Bodnar at the Career Center at  carolc@umbc.edu or (410) 455-2216.