DOIE October 2025 Highlights

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:11:56 -0400

This October, the Division of Institutional Equity has a full lineup of events and opportunities for the UMBC community. All events and opportunities across the division are open to full participation by all community members. Here's how you can get involved!

Office of Accessibility and Disability Services

Accessibility Tour: Wayfinding, Skywalks, and Resources

Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for a guided tour of UMBC's "Campus on a Hill" on October 3rd, 8th and 29th. Accessibility is everyone's responsibility, and this is a great opportunity to learn about campus accessibility features, challenges, and how you can be an effective Accessibility Ally! Registration and additional information about the tours can be found here: [October 3rd] [October 8th] [October 29th]

October 13 | 4:30 pm – 7 pm | University Center: 310 Disability Awareness Month Film Screening: Quad Life

Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for an exclusive screening of Quad Life, the inspiring story of a young Black father who becomes a quadriplegic and pursues his passion as an artist and sound designer. Popcorn will be provided, and there will be a live Q&A with the main actor after the screening.

October 15 | 12 pm | Hybrid, Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building 101 Campus Accessibility: Facilities Management & ADS Project Discussion

Facilities Management and the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services are hosting a session to review current and planned construction projects that enhance accessibility and improve UMBC's physical environment. Attendees will learn about elevator replacements, accessible design in renovations, and other initiatives, with opportunities to provide input. The event especially values insights from people with disabilities, which may inform projects and UMBC's participation in the AccessMD Program. Registration is required for attendance.

October 21 | 12 pm | Online FMLA & Job Accommodations (Non-Supervisors)

This session for non-supervisors at UMBC reviews FMLA leave and disability accommodation processes, focusing on supporting employees with their own health conditions. Attendees will strengthen their ability to foster a disability-inclusive workplace and gain a deeper understanding of these processes.

October 27 | 11 am | Online FMLA & Job Accommodations (Supervisors)

This session for supervisors at UMBC reviews FMLA leave and disability accommodation processes, with a focus on handling accommodation requests and extended leave. Attendees will enhance their ability to foster a disability-inclusive workplace and gain a deeper understanding of these processes.

Office of Equity and Civil Rights

Mandatory Annual Title IX Student Training

UMBC is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the campus community and is committed to maintaining a campus environment that is free from sex discrimination, including both sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. To help meet these goals, UMBC requires all students to complete an online educational program on topics including consent, bystander intervention, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, stalking, and related topics. All students are required to complete this training at the start of each academic year. The online training can be accessed at UMBC's Vector Solutions login page. For questions, please see the Student Training FAQ page or email ecrtraining@umbc.edu.

October 7 | 3 pm - 4:30 pm | The Commons: Lower Flat Tuesdays
Relationships Unfiltered: The Good, the Bad, and the Toxic

Join UMBC students, faculty, and staff for an open conversation about boundaries, expectations, and communication in relationships. The event will begin with a "Red or Green Flag" activity, followed by a Q&A session where questions about trust, feedback, and respecting boundaries will be discussed by the panelists.

Community and Culture

October 28 | 1 pm - 3 pm | Online

Fostering Fairness: Bias Awareness Training for Search Committees

This session explores how unconscious biases can affect every stage of recruitment and selection, from evaluating qualifications to determining "fit" and potential. Using real-world examples and research, participants will examine how bias may appear differently in staff versus faculty searches and influence candidate pools, interviews, and final decisions. Through guided exercises and discussion, attendees will learn strategies to identify, interrupt, and reduce bias, promoting fairness and equity in hiring.

Culture Conversations Fall 25

Critical Religious Pluralism: Confronting Hate, Building Belonging

Join us this October for a three-part hybrid series that explores how a values-driven approach can deepen understanding and support for religious diversity. Through interactive sessions, you'll explore the intersections of faith and culture and gain practical skills to foster communities where all beliefs are respected and valued. Register for the sessions here.

Cultural Heritage Month Celebrations

October is LGBTQ+ and Disability History Month. Stay tuned for our 'Read, Watch, Listen, Participate' posts.

Center for Social Justice and Dialogue

October 15 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | Virtual

Building Bridges Across Differences: A Dialogue for Everyday Series

Join the Center for Social Justice and Dialogue for the second session of this series, " Understanding Identity in Community". Participants will explore how their visible and invisible identities shape experiences, relationships, and belonging at UMBC.

Women's, Gender, and Equity Center (WGEC)

Discussion Group Meetings
Join the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center this month for their weekly discussion group meetings! Connect, share, and grow through spaces like Grad Connect, We Believe You, Rebuilding Manhood, Spectrum, Women of Color Collective, Women and Gender Minorities in STEM, and Head Space. Visit https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events?mode=upcoming&page=1 for more information and schedules for each group meeting.

October 9 | 4 pm - 5 pm | Virtual

Returning Adult Learners Meeting

Join the Returning Adult Learners Scholars & Affiliates Program to connect, learn, and grow with fellow undergraduate students aged 25 and older returning to college. This meeting will cover Brave Spaces, work-life balance, and ways to feel more supported on campus.

October 22 | 4 pm - 6 pm | The Commons: 329

Start by Believing : Supporting Disclosures of Sexual Violence

This workshop is for faculty and staff who may be the first point of contact for survivors. Participants will learn about the Start by Believing campaign, build confidence in responding to disclosures of sexual assault, harassment, or domestic violence, and help foster a survivor-centered, trauma-informed campus community.

Note: All programs, events, and opportunities are open to full participation by all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and University nondiscrimination policies.