Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:12:17 -0500
provost

Dear Faculty,

Welcome to the spring semester. I know the semester is beginning under unusual circumstances with the recent inclement weather and campus closures. I appreciate everyone's adaptability as we navigate this first week together. Please continue to be flexible with your students as we wait for campus to reopen. We have asked students to communicate their needs for flexibility with you as well.

Earlier this week, you should have received some correspondence from your college leadership with information related to utilizing asynchronous learning as we unexpectedly manage having the physical campus closed for the duration of the first week of the semester. I wanted to highlight a few important details and reminders that I hope will be helpful as you consider how to make up for lost class time now and in the weeks ahead.

Spring 2026 academic calendar adjustments due to campus closures:

Schedule adjustment (add/drop) deadline extended from Friday, Feb. 6 to Friday, Feb. 13

Deactivation of waitlist extended from Monday, Feb. 2 to Monday, Feb. 9

5 Steps To Prepare Your Go Online Kit (Instructional Technology)

Keep On Teaching (Faculty Development Center)

In addition to the above information, I strongly encourage you to communicate regularly with your students and give timely updates as best you can. As faculty, you play an important role in supporting your students in their educational and life journey, which is always critical but even more so in tumultuous times.

Lastly, in the coming weeks, we will be asking departments to share examples and strategies that were utilized to make up missed in-person/synchronous class time such as asynchronous sharing of content, asynchronous activities, and/or administering additional assignments. We look forward to seeing your examples and will also work with the Faculty Development Center to share innovative strategies back with you.

Campus Alerts & the Academic Calendar

Please make sure you are signed up for alerts so you are aware of weather-related campus closures and other emergencies. Familiarize yourself with the campus Inclement Weather and Emergency Guide as well. The guide along with the sign up for alerts can be found here.

Additional spring academic calendar dates to note:

Spring break: March 14-22

Last day of spring classes: May 12

Study day: May 13

Graduate commencement: May 20

Undergraduate commencement: May 21

Upcoming Events

Save the date for the following opportunities as additional details about these events and others will be shared in the weeks ahead:

Provost Priorities Mid-Year Check In

Thursday, March 5 from 3:30-5 p.m.

Opportunity to learn about progress on priorities led by the Office of the Provost

Middle States Evaluation Team Site Visit

Sunday, March 8-11

Prepare for this visit by reviewing the self-study website and reading the final report

Thank you for all that you do to support the success of our students and our community at UMBC. I look forward to connecting with you more throughout the semester ahead.

Sincerely,

Manfred H.M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs