UMBC’s Take Back The Night took place this past Thursday, April 14th. It was a very powerful evening, featuring a survivor speak-out, a march against sexual violence, and recuperating  with craftivism and community resources!

Couldn’t make it? Check out this recap from the evening!

The night began with an introduction by the emmcees and march leaders, Kayla  and Sarah.

A bird’s eye view captured from The Commons second floor. 

The floor was then opened to survivors to come forward and share their stories. Women’s Center student staff member, MJ poignantly pointed out the moments of silence between stories.

After a few minutes of silent reflection,  many people came forward to share. Every person who came up to the mic showed incredible bravery and helped empassion the audience to break the silence around sexual violence.

A huge crowd gathered to support survivors

A major takeaway from the night

Next came the march around campus! At this point in the night, the everyone gathered together to directly disrupt rape culture and call out sexual violence. We began the march from the Main Street, walked towards True Grits, through Academic Row, and back towards The Commons through The Quad.

The march Passes the Physics building

A beautiful shot of the march in front of the Library

1,2,3,4 WE WON’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

Headed towards Academic Row

The night concluded in a craftivism session. People sat down to create Monument Quilt squares, “Dear Survivor” scrapbook pages, and survivors created t-Shirts for the Clothesline Project. People came together to create while listening to some empowering tunes and snacking on cookies.

Reflection and Action. 

Take Back The Night 2016 was a huge success! Thank you to all of the volunteers and UMBC staff members who helped make this event run smoothly and thank you to all who came out to support survivors and fight against sexual violence!

To all UMBC survivors of sexual violence –
We see you. We believe you. It is not your fault. You are not alone. 

The Women’s center staff thanks everyone for TBTN 2016!

Just a reminder for those who might not have been able to attend, there are many resources available to you, both on and off campus.

Voices Against Violence

Women’s Center at UMBC

UMBC Counseling Center

Title IX and UMBC’s Interim Policy on Prohibited Sexual Misconduct and Other Related Misconduct 

Results are in from the AFAC survey requested by the Faculty Affairs Committee, on criteria for promotion to Adjunct III. NOTE: The response rate was so low that the survey is invalid as a vote by adjunct faculty on adjunct preferences.* The low response rate may reflect lack of enthusiasm for surveys, for surveys requested by non-adjunct faculty, or for exceptional promotions rather than broader-based improvements (pay raises). That said, here are the trends that did show up in responses:

Areas of consensus: 

On the questions:

Question 1. Overwhelming majority agree that candidates for Adjunct III must have the qualifications of an Adjunct II.

Question 3 (Option B). Strong majority agree that there should be no minimum time in grade after Adjunct II, for            promotion to Adjunct III.

Question 4. Solid majority agree on teaching record, as established by in-class observation and SCEQs, as a criterion.

Question 5. Solid majority agree that criteria for teaching should be consistent with those for candidates for promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer at UMBC: “A Senior Lecturer is expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching and teaching leadership, which may include development of new curriculum, teaching innovations, scholarship, and/or creative works.”

On qualifications of current adjuncts:

A solid majority of responders DO have 1) memberships in academic or community organizations and records of service in same; 2) other community service and/or research; 3) evidence of professional development; 4) evidence of service to UMBC on campus or off; 5) awards, honors, or prizes; and 6) evidence of productivity in a job or profession off campus.

Note: for every category of professional qualification except one, responders indicated that they "Expect to have in the future." The one exception was the category "evidence of productivity in a job or profession off campus." (In other words, responders not already working elsewhere do not expect to engage in a profession other than college teaching, or do not expect to leave UMBC, or both.)

An overwhelming majority of responders do NOT have a record of elective office at any level, although two responders do.   

Areas of disagreement:

Question 2 (Option A). Wide-ranging disagreement over what time in grade should be required for Adjunct III.

Question 6. Wide disagreement on recognition for service.