Updates from the New Division of Institutional Equity Our staff and services are growing to support UMBC
Dear UMBC Community,

Welcome to the fall 2023 semester! I hope you had an enjoyable summer.

In the whirlwind four months since I joined UMBC as the vice president for institutional equity and chief diversity officer, I have spent a great deal of time observing, listening, and learning, while engaging with many students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Thank you to all who have taken the time to share your perspectives, as well as for the warm UMBC welcome!

Whether I was meeting with shared governance leaders or various student organizations, serving as a DEI mentor for incoming Meyerhoff scholars, participating in SafeZone or restorative practices trainings, meeting with the Religious Council, learning about our global education initiatives, or touring UMBC-Shady Grove (just to name a few), two things were evident. First, this community has deep pride and love for UMBC. Second, you are genuinely committed to the shared work of ensuring a safe, welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment for everyone within the UMBC community.

For me, this confirmed that I have come to the right place at the right time. You have my commitment to be a collaborative, intentional, and communicative partner as we move into this transformative time. To that end, I want to share some updates about the exciting work that has occurred these past few months and provide an overview of my vision for the newly created Division of Institutional Equity at UMBC.

Division of Institutional Equity

The Division of Institutional Equity will grow to consist of three core components as described further below. Melessia Jasper, who served previously as an executive administrative assistant in administration and finance, is now supporting me and the Division of Institutional Equity.

1. Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR)

We have renamed the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) as the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR). This new name unequivocally reflects the university's commitment to ensuring civil rights protections for everyone within our UMBC community. ECR is, and will continue to be, the campus resource for reporting and addressing matters related to sexual misconduct (including sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking), discrimination, harassment, and hate/bias on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, ancestry, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, veterans status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or genetic information.

You can reach ECR here:

Administration Building, 10th Floor
Telephone: 410-455-1717
Email: ecr@umbc.edu (general inquiries); ecrtraining@umbc.edu (training-related inquiries)
Website: ecr.umbc.edu
Online reporting form

We are making progress in building a full ECR team. The office is currently staffed by an interim director and Title IX coordinator, Leah Reynolds, and our civil rights investigator, Erica Arrington. We are currently conducting searches to fill three permanent positions within the office: ECR director/Title IX coordinator, case manager, and training and prevention manager. I extend my gratitude to the members of the search committees who have been working diligently to move this process forward.

2. Centering Inclusive Excellence

In tandem with ECR, the Division of Institutional Equity will center inclusive excellence by fostering broad campus implementation of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging initiatives for students, faculty, and staff. These initiatives will support work that is already under way across campus, while seeking opportunities and resources to expand upon the scope and assess the impact of these efforts. I will also seek to partner with academic and administrative units to identify fellows to serve as liaisons to the division who will implement targeted initiatives within their respective areas.

3. Expanding the Use of Restorative Practices

There is great work being done on campus around the use of restorative practices and a broad recognition of the benefits of using restorative practices in various settings. The Division of Institutional Equity will continue to support this work while seeking to expand the use of restorative practices to address reports of incidents that allege some harm but do not involve conduct that would constitute a violation of university policies. Opportunities to incorporate restorative practices in certain circumstances when a policy violation is alleged but the parties do not desire to pursue a formal resolution process will also be explored.

Looking Ahead

In addition to the infrastructure-building work outlined above, our division plans several key initiatives for this academic year.

  • Strategic Planning: The Division of Institutional Equity will begin a strategic planning process that aligns with the university's strategic priorities and considers the Inclusion Council recommendations.
  • Response to the SCOTUS Decision on Race-Conscious Admissions: UMBC remains steadfast in our commitment to diversity. Following President Valerie Sheares Ashby's communication to the campus community, we have convened a working group of broad university representation tasked with helping to conduct a comprehensive review of all university programs and activities related to all protected categories. The group's work is under way and will be instrumental in ensuring that the university remains compliant with the court's decision and other mandates under federal, state, and local laws. My sincere thanks to the working group members for serving as liaisons for their respective academic/administrative units.
  • Training and Education: We will renew our emphasis on campus-wide education and training for all students, faculty, and staff. This includes a mandatory online Title IX training for all students that launched in early August, an online training for all Responsible Employees to be launched in the fall, and in-person training for faculty and staff beginning in the spring. Training and education for specific groups will continue to be provided upon request.
  • Title IX Regulatory Changes: New Title IX regulations are expected to be released in October 2023. This will likely necessitate revisions to existing policies and procedures. Campus-wide outreach will occur to update the community on the new regulations and any policy changes.
  • Campus Climate Survey: The next campus climate survey on sexual misconduct, diversity, and inclusion will be administered in spring 2024.

Most importantly, I will continue to listen, learn, and engage with the campus community; the work to advance institutional equity is our collective endeavor. I will support those already engaged in this work and actively seek new voices as we all work together to embody our shared value of inclusive excellence.

In continued partnership,

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

]]> Dear UMBC Community, Welcome to the fall 2023 semester! I hope you had an enjoyable summer. In the whirlwind four months since I joined UMBC as the vice president for institutional equity... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135133/guest@my.umbc.edu/3a9102e355e8c0a89d7fdfed840cd498/api/pixel Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 0 0 false Tue, 05 Sep 2023 14:13:14 -0400 Fall 2023 Public Health and COVID-19 Update

Dear UMBC Community,


As we enter the fall 2023 semester, UMBC's leadership continues to be committed to the health and well-being of all in our community. We are monitoring the rates of respiratory virus in our community, and are attentive to both COVID-19 rates and influenza, among others. UMBC's health experts routinely engage with county, state, and federal resources to understand trends and current health conditions.

As a key part of protecting the health of all on campus, we ask that each of you monitor your health and be careful to avoid exposing others if you have cold or flu symptoms. Consult your healthcare provider or Retriever Integrated Health if you need testing or care. To reduce the spread of infectious diseases on campus, cover your cough, wear a mask, and wash your hands. Minimizing your exposure to others while sick is particularly important as we all strive to protect health-compromised and other vulnerable members of our community. You can minimize exposure to others when sick by staying home if you are a faculty, staff, or student who is commuting to campus or following any related guidelines if you are a student living in residence.

In addition, we ask that you continue to Keep Masks in Mind. The university will provide high- quality KN95 masks to those in need. Masks will be available at the RAC, the Library, and The Commons Information Center. If your professor, colleague, or other community member requests that you wear a mask in a classroom, meeting, or other situation, we ask that you respect their wishes and needs.

Finally, remember that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness. Retriever Integrated Health will be offering both COVID-19 and influenza vaccination clinics throughout the fall. We will share dates and additional information with the community soon.

Amid the busyness that the semester can bring, please remember to take care of yourself and prioritize your health and well-being. Thank you for your support of one another and our community as we all work together to stay as healthy as possible.

David Dauwalder, Interim Provost

Renique T. Kersh, Vice President for Student Affairs


UMBC Health & Well-Being Resources

Office of Health Promotion

Retriever Integrated Health

Recreation & Physical Education

Human Resources: UMBC Wellness Initiative


 ]]> Dear UMBC Community, As we enter the fall 2023 semester, UMBC's leadership continues to be committed to the health and well-being of all in our community. We are monitoring the rates of... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/135006/guest@my.umbc.edu/2247779b5d4ba96139633a7fe5d89416/api/pixel covid19 Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 8 0 false Thu, 31 Aug 2023 11:41:44 -0400 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:33:14 -0400 Take a Survey & Win Some UMBC Sustainability Matters Swag! Participate in making UMBC a sustainable campus Dear UMBC Community,

UMBC's Office of Sustainability engages with the campus community in numerous ways to help inform our work to promote sustainability within our interconnected environment, society, and economy. One way we engage is through surveys, which help us to develop benchmarks for various initiatives and to inform ongoing and new projects.

The following survey assesses specific knowledge, beliefs, and practices of UMBC students, faculty, and staff. The input you provide will help the Office of Sustainability to create programs, services, and procedures that allow us to better serve you and your fellow Retrievers.

Those who participate in the survey have the option to enter into a drawing for a UMBC Sustainability Matters reusable water bottle and sticker! We will randomly select five students, one faculty member, and one staff member at the end of the survey. Winners will be notified via email.

Take the survey: https://umbc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5gUpsx8S1OWm8IJ

The survey should take no more than 10 - 15 minutes to complete. We need all responses by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023.

Thank you for your time!

UMBC Office of Sustainability

]]> Dear UMBC Community, UMBC's Office of Sustainability engages with the campus community in numerous ways to help inform our work to promote sustainability within our interconnected environment,... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134967/guest@my.umbc.edu/bfd7bf0ce5e100ece5992dd6dcd0141f/api/pixel Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 3 0 false Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:34:51 -0400 Happy First Day of Classes! Welcome to the Start of the Fall Semester Dear UMBC Community,
 
We have arrived: It is the first day of classes! Whether you are a long-serving faculty or staff member, a returning student, or one of the many members of our community for whom today is the beginning of your first academic year at UMBC, welcome to the start of the fall semester.
 
The first day of school has been a favorite day of mine since I was a young child, and the excitement never diminishes for me. Today, I am inspired to see our new students beginning their journeys, and I am filled with joy to see our campus alive with the possibilities that our intellectual community brings. Enjoy the day, and my best wishes to you all for a wonderful year ahead!
 
Sincerely,
 
President Valerie Sheares Ashby

]]> Dear UMBC Community,   We have arrived: It is the first day of classes! Whether you are a long-serving faculty or staff member, a returning student, or one of the many members of our community for... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134953/guest@my.umbc.edu/bb0dbda1c084ee1d17c0faf22016ba15/api/pixel president Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 12 0 false Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:21:44 -0400 Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:32:14 -0400 Updates About Ongoing Campus Upgrades We are continuing to respond to remediation efforts Dear UMBC Community,

As we gear up for the start of the fall semester, I'd like to share some updates regarding ongoing work throughout campus.

Efforts are still underway to repair the Admin elevators, and we currently anticipate that one will be back in service in early October. We know this is disappointing based on our anticipated timeline. Facilities Management is actively collaborating with our elevator contractor, as well as the state, to expedite this work. Stay updated online on where customer-facing functions will be performed.

Progress also continues on the two Biology elevators, which sustained damage in December as well. One of these elevators will be back in service by mid-October.

The Math/Psych elevator upgrade project is advancing with one elevator (the one closest to Biology) set to be complete in mid-September. Subsequently, the other Math/Psych elevator (closest to Sondheim Hall) will be taken out of service for its upgrade.

Both the Meyerhoff Chemistry Building and Schwartz Hall suffered damage to their cooling coils in December. Replacement coils have now been received and the process to replace these coils will begin next week. We anticipate that the HVAC systems in both of these buildings will be fully functional by mid-September.

The perimeter of the Sherman Hall Phase 1 renovation project construction zone has been established. Signage is currently being posted and this process will continue over the next several days. Please read the signage and follow directions in the vicinity of the construction area.  

Below is a list of the units that have been relocated out of Sherman Hall and where they are currently located:

Education has relocated to Sondheim Hall, Suite 304

Emergency Health Services has relocated to 900 Walker, Suite 101

Language Literacy, and Culture has relocated to Sherman Hall East, Room 457

New Media Studios has relocated to Engineering Building 021

Office of the Vice President for Undergraduate Academic Affairs has relocated to Sherman Hall East, Room 128

Academic Engagement and Transition Programs has relocated to Sherman Hall East, Room 345

The Sherman STEM Scholars Program has relocated to Sherman Hall East, Room 332

The Facilities Management Steamfitters office has been relocated to Facilities Management 109

For information on other construction projects throughout the campus, please visit this link and click on the 2023 Summer Construction Map.

Senior Associate Vice President for Administrative Services Lenn Caron, P.E.

]]> Dear UMBC Community, As we gear up for the start of the fall semester, I'd like to share some updates regarding ongoing work throughout campus. Efforts are still underway to repair the Admin... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/134896/guest@my.umbc.edu/8d45d3e5e4500fed7eff27e130d56d66/api/pixel Announcements - Campus https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/original.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xlarge.png?1691177756 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/large.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/medium.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/small.png?1691177756 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xsmall.png?1691177756 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/082/f861304a6d022c22e70244ebc8f87f49/xxsmall.png?1691177756 Announcements - Campus 2 0 false Mon, 28 Aug 2023 11:29:58 -0400