SAP Concur Launch Week: Day Two!

We're here to help as you get started in the new travel system, SAP Concur.
Join us today from 9:00–11:00 AM and 12:00–2:00 PM — we'll be live in the UC Lobby in front of the Center for Global Engagement (Room 207) and also available virtually on Webex for one-on-one support.

If you can't make it in person or online, you can always email us your questions at travel@umbc.edu.

In addition, SAP Concur provides User Support Desk assistance directly to all UMBC travelers. You can access it right within Concur for help with system navigation or troubleshooting.

And don't forget to visit our new website at travel.umbc.edu for the Interim Travel Policy, FAQs, discounts, training links, and more.

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Instructional Technology is pleased to offer four workshops on digital accessibility and Ally, available at no cost to UMBC faculty and staff, through July 31, 2026 using a special registration link and code. Created by Blackboard, the available workshops are designed to give you practical skills and a deep understanding of creating accessible and inclusive course content.

Workshop #1: Accessibility Fundamentals

This foundational training is designed to provide participants with a broad understanding of accessibility issues in educational environments. Participants will learn how disabilities can limit access to electronic instructional materials and what they can do to make their course content as accessible as possible to the greatest number of learners.

Workshop #2: Writing Effective Alt Text

Alternative text is a key component of digital accessibility, ensuring that all learners can engage with visual content. Participants will begin with the fundamentals of alternative text, exploring its definition, significance, and how context shapes what makes it meaningful and effective. In addition to learning how to write high-quality alt text, participants will receive practical instruction on how to add alt text in commonly used tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat. 

Workshop #3: Introducing Ally to Learners

Creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment goes beyond just providing accessible content -- it requires clear, intentional communication with students. Introducing Ally to Learners is designed to help instructors effectively engage with students about accessibility and empower them in their use of Ally's Alternative Formats.

Workshop #4: Empowering Learners with Ally's Alternative Formats

This training introduces the alternative formats available through Ally and explores how they support a more inclusive and flexible learning experience for all students. Participants will gain an understanding of each format -- including audio, electronic Braille, BeeLine Reader, HTML, ePub, etc. -- along with practical use cases that highlight when and how learners might benefit from each option. 

How to Get Started

There is a special process for UMBC faculty and staff to access this subscription for free, and to enroll in these workshops. Please open an RT ticket to receive the special instructions, registration code, and workshop links.

We encourage UMBC faculty and staff to take advantage of this valuable resource to further your digital accessibility training and professional development! Faculty who complete all four workshops and submit certificates to Instructional Technology can earn the new Accessibility A11y meta microcredential. Certificates must be submitted using this Google Form by the end of SP2026.

Ready to take the first step? Visit UMBC's Digital Accessibility site or run an Ally course report today. Support is also available from Student Disability Services and Instructional Technology.

Don't forget: Tuesday, November 18 is Fix Your Course Content Day! This one-day push is a chance for faculty, staff, and instructional designers to review Ally accessibility reports, make fixes, and strengthen our commitment to inclusive teaching.

"The program encouraged me to think deeply about identity, privilege, and systemic inequality, while also helping me develop skills to create meaningful social change."

"In my DoIT role, I will use what I learned at STRiVE to foster better communication and collaboration among my team. Understanding different perspectives and being mindful of diverse experiences will help me create a more supportive and inclusive work environment."

Dear Colleagues,

Open Enrollment for State of Maryland health benefits will end this Friday, November 7, 2025, at 5 p.m.

Take action now before it's too late! Please visit the Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM) Open Enrollment website for resources from the State, health vendors, and the slides and recording from the information session the HRSTM team conducted on October 15.

What's new for 2026:

• Effective January 1, 2026, all health benefit premiums will be deducted from payroll on a bi-weekly basis across 26 pay periods, an increase from the previous 24 deductions per year.
• Beginning July 1, 2026, contractual employees will begin receiving pre-tax benefit premiums, which will be automatically deducted from their paychecks.
• Healthcare FSA maximum increased to $3,300 and dependent care FSA increased to $7,500 for the 2026 calendar year!

During Open Enrollment, eligible employees can enroll, cancel, or make changes to their health benefits, with all updates becoming effective January 1, 2026. Employees will receive weekly email alerts from the State of Maryland regarding Open Enrollment.

Open Enrollment will continue to be online in the SPS Workday system. Instructions for logging into the SPS Workday system can be found here.

Employees who are adding new dependents to their health benefits during Open Enrollment should review the required dependent documentation. Dependent documentation is required to be attached to the employee's Open Enrollment event by Friday, November 7, 2025, at 5 p.m.

Employees who do not need to make changes to their benefits do not need to take any action.

Please visit the HRSTM Open Enrollment website for more information and email the HRSTM Benefits and Wellness team at hrbenefits@umbc.edu with any questions.

Benefits and Wellness Team
Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management

SAP Concur Launch Week: Day Two!

We're here to help as you get started in the new travel system, SAP Concur.
Join us today from 9:00–11:00 AM and 12:00–2:00 PM — we'll be live in the UC Lobby in front of the Center for Global Engagement (Room 207) and also available virtually on Webex for one-on-one support.

If you can't make it in person or online, you can always email us your questions at travel@umbc.edu.

In addition, SAP Concur provides User Support Desk assistance directly to all UMBC travelers. You can access it right within Concur for help with system navigation or troubleshooting.

And don't forget to visit our new website at travel.umbc.edu for the Interim Travel Policy, FAQs, discounts, training links, and more.

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) seeks a dynamic and experienced Director of Registration to lead all aspects of collections care, documentation, and stewardship for one of the nation’s foremost art museums. The Director oversees a team of six professionals (five Registrars and one Art Packer) and fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation. The ideal candidate is a good communicator, stellar team player, and positive leader with a “can-do” attitude who inspires excellence across departments.

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is seeking an experienced Maintenance Technician to support general building operations and maintenance. The ideal candidate will inspect, test, and perform Operation & Maintenance (O&M) preventative maintenance inspections on mechanical, electrical and automatic temperature control equipment utilizing results-oriented strategies to ensure continuing operation.