Our Code of Student Conduct specifies that judicial boards are composed of between 2-4 students and one faculty or staff member. If you have been in a hearing before, you know that our board members are well-trained, thoughtful, and rigorous in their questioning. Although we have many "friends of Student Conduct" that have volunteered to help out in the faculty/staff capacity, I want to avoid repeatedly shoulder-tapping these same folks, if possible.

This is an opportunity for others to assist us in this crucial aspect of our operation. This is a chance for you to foster the accountability-taking and ethical decision-making capacity of our students and also to get a "good student affairs experience." Here are the hearing dates and times (ALL VIRTUAL, AT THIS TIME, WITH ONE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION!) lined up thus far for the Fall Semester of 2023 (please consider signing up for the early dates, which are typically the hardest to fill). Email Jeff Cullen if you are available for any of these dates.

Here are a few caveats: 1) Before you volunteer, make sure you are in conversation with your supervisor, and 2) Our hearings occasionally run past 5:00 PM, so if you are on a tight timeline because of family or social commitments, just be aware that once you commit it is really important to have you be available "for the duration" whatever that ends up looking like.

With all that said, please consult your calendar and reach out to Jeff Cullen, Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards with the date(s) you are available and willing to help out. I will reply and ask you to put a tentative hold on your calendar and then confirm the specific time and nature of the hearing when we get closer to the actual date. Thanks again for your support of this important task!

Nominate a colleague today for one of the Staff Awards! 

Is there someone:

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may have a nominee for the UMBC Presidential Staff Awards, the Board of Regents USM Staff Awards, the Jakubik Family Endowment Staff Award for Outstanding Exempt or Non-Exempt Staff, the Karen L. Wensch Endowment Award for Outstanding Non-Exempt Staff, and the Teresa Lupinek Endowment Award for Outstanding Exempt or Non-Exempt Staff.

We invite all departments and offices to submit nominations to the Office of the Provost to the attention of the Staff Awards Committee. Take a minute to recognize our most deserving staff colleagues (exempt and non-exempt) by nominating them for one or more of these prestigious awards. 

This semester has presented unforeseen challenges as we have seen a greater need for Retriever Essentials, and thus, a lack of food. To put it simply, our shelves are almost bare.

- Donate on the Amazon Wishlist here:

- Drop off non-perishable food that are not expired in the bins at:

- Donate money here & designate your donation to Retriever Essentials:

We currently cannot accept items that are not on the above list.

To donate perishable foods, please visit The Essential Space during open hours. We accept all perishable foods! Please contact us first if you are planning to bring a large quantity.

Re-Post from Campus Announcements:

Dear UMBC Community,

It's that time of year again to protect yourself, your family, and your community from current and upcoming infectious diseases! Sign up now for this season's flu shot and the new COVID-19 vaccine just approved and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and above. In addition, other vaccines against meningitis, RSV, shingles, tetanus, and others will be available. Talk with your personal medical provider to see what they recommend for you. This event is open to students, faculty, staff, and their families.

Remember that a COVID infection and isolation can interrupt your studies, your work, and other important events in your life. Reduce this risk by getting vaccinated.

Clinic Dates and Locations

Use this form to sign up for vaccine(s) and/or to volunteer at the shot clinics.

Retriever Integrated Health is here to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us at 410-455-2542 or rih@umbc.edu for more information.

Thank you for helping to keep our community healthy.

Vic Madrid

Medical Director, Retriever Integrated Health

The only staff and faculty exclusive homecoming event is coming up - Please RSVP on the UMBC Homecoming Event!

Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 4 - 6 PM

The Commons : Skylight Room

Come socialize with some colleagues and enjoy some tasty appetizers. 

Wine and beer will be available for purchase.

Re-Post from UMBC Campus Announcements:

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.

OCA Mocha just announced new pastries - make sure to stop by and try them out! Visit OCA Mocha's website for up-to-date information and their hours.

The USM Learning and Talent Development Committee is pleased to announce the third annual USM-wide Professional Development Week will run from September 18th - 22nd. Professional development week is virtual and free for all USM employees - click here to register. Learning tracks include Workplace Productivity, Personal Leadership Mastery, Inclusion and Belonging, and Wellness for the Workplace.` In addition to the keynote and workshops, we will have Morning Mindfulness, with our own Jill Wardell, Director of Talent Learning & OD, and networking sessions to meet your USM colleagues. 

Keynote Panel:

The USM Learning & Talent Development Committee's third annual completely virtual professional development week, Fall into Success: Innovate, Inspire, Lead, kicks off with a keynote panel featuring distinguished leaders in higher education. Moderated by Melody Wright, Coordinator, Talent Learning & Organizational Development at UMBC, this compelling panel promises to provide valuable insights as these exceptional leaders share their experiences and visions for the future of higher education. It is a not-to-be-missed event, setting the tone for an exciting week of growth, learning, and professional development.

Workshops:

Thursday, August 17, 2023

11:30 AM - 1 PM

The Commons Terrace

The UMBC Staff Cookout, hosted by Professional Staff and Non-Exempt Staff Senates, will take place on Thursday, August 17th and is open to all UMBC staff and faculty members. The event will feature classic BBQ food (including vegetarian options), a raffle, yard games, and more! 

Please bring your Campus IDs with you to the cookout!

*Ticket sales will end on Thursday, August 10th - get your ticket today!*

Important Update from Parking Services! Make sure to follow UMBC Parking Services on myUMBC for additional updates. 

One of the many great benefits of working at UMBC for regular status faculty and staff is the ability to ride Baltimore area transit for free. This includes MTA buses, the Light Rail, Metro Subway and commuter bus service lines 120, 150 and 160.

Until now, stickers were utilized on your UMBC ID. However, effective August 1, you will no longer be able to use these stickers but instead will be required to obtain a permanent Maryland State ID.

How do you get one?

If you have questions about this change, please contact Parking Services at 410-455-2551 or via email at parking@umbc.edu.