Happy June! Welcome to our second Weekly Spotlight. These weekly posts will include some ways you and/or your office can stay connected with the wider UMBC community by informing you of select events, programs, resources, as well as some tips and tricks to maximize your virtual campus experience.
Here are some items to check out this week through next Monday (June 1st-8th):
Call to Action:
The UMBC Together workgroup members would like to personally thank all UMBC community members who have shared their posts and stories since its launch. As we continue to grow, we are exploring new ways for us to connect with one another. We would really appreciate your input by selecting what you would most want to see come out next from the UMBC Together initiative by answering the poll at the bottom of this post by Monday, June 15th at 9:00a.m.
Please email together@umbc.edu with any questions. Your input is greatly appreciated.
Events and Engagement
Open to all: Summer Lunch and Learn:The coronavirus pandemic has exposed, again, the many fault-lines of inequality in the United States. So many have lost their jobs, and promises of state support are falling short. How are communities in Baltimore to discuss mutual aid as a political project, learn about mutual aid projects in Baltimore, and talk about how and why to get involved in projects in your communities.
Wednesday, June 3 | Noon - 1:00 p.m. | Online via Webex: Link
Alumni:Black and Latinx Alumni Welcome Social: Calling all UMBC Alumni! Join the current Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni (CBLA) members to learn about our events, involvement opportunities and resources that will be followed by an informal Happy Hour. RSVP at https://bit.ly/cblasocialjune4 or email Sara Lerma Jones at slj@umbc.edu for any questions.
Thursday, June 4 | 5:00 - 6:30p.m. | Online via Blackboard Collaborate (RSVP for link)
Open to all:BRAND NEW: [Free]dom Fridays: Black & Proud:The staff of Campus Life's Mosaic, Interfaith and Pride Centers, send thoughts of peace, love, and care to members of the Black/Africana community as they collectively grieve the recent Black lives lost due to white supremacist and/or state- sanctioned violence. We acknowledge the difficult challenges of hate-based crimes against the Black Community in addition to being disproportionately affected by an indiscriminate virus. Check out our new virtual dialogue series by joining us as we celebrate the beauty, resilience, contributions and creativity of Black people to the world. Please contact Campus Life’s Mosaic at mosaic@umbc.edu for any questions.
Friday, June 5 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Online via Webex: Link
Click here for a full list of UMBC Events. Please note that all on-campus in-person events have been cancelled for Summer 2020.
Resource Updates
COVID-19 Mid-Year Benefits Changes for the State of Maryland: Please check out this link for some important updates regarding Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for eligible employees. Email hrbenefits@umbc.edu for any questions.
USM Statement on Injustice and Structural Racism: We encourage you to read and share this statement released Friday, May 29, 2020 by the leadership of the University System of Maryland on deeply disturbing events that remind us all of the structural racism that underlies our society. UMBC is proud to join our USM colleagues in this statement.
Tip of the Week
For Incoming Students: Welcome new Retrievers! As we approach the start of Summer Orientation, don’t forget to sign-up for online orientation and advising at orientation.umbc.edu.
Contact Info
Website: umbc.edu/together
Email: together@umbc.edu
Social Media: #UMBCTogether
