Key Points:

• Governor Hogan’s budget provides a $1,000 bonus for state employees, including USM faculty and staff.

• A more positive budget outlook also allows temporary salary reductions affecting some UMBC employees to end earlier than expected.

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to confirm that the extraordinary work of UMBC and other state employees during the pandemic will be recognized with a $1,000 bonus, a step proposed by Governor Hogan and now passed by the General Assembly. 

Regular faculty and staff and Contingent II employees will receive the one-time bonus of up to $1,000. The bonus will be pro-rated for eligible part-time employees (e.g., 50%= $500, 75%=$750, etc.). Graduate Assistants and Contingent I employees are not eligible. 

The bonus payments will be processed by the Human Resources Department and will be reflected in the paychecks issued April 30, 2021.   

We are also pleased to announce the early end of temporary salary reductions for faculty and staff earning $100,000 and above, which was part of a multi-point plan to protect campus jobs. This will be reflected in the paychecks issued April 16, 2021.

Both the one-time bonus and early restoration of full salaries were made possible by  prompt, aggressive budget actions taken this past year in the face of projected pandemic-related revenue declines, including diligence in adhering to the hiring freeze, and greater operating savings than expected. The University has also benefited from Federal stimulus funding, which is being used to cover pandemic-related costs originally expected to be supported from regular operating funds.

We are deeply grateful for all that you are doing to keep our campus community safe and healthy and to support academic progress and business operations during this difficult time. While we will continue to face operational and fiscal challenges through the pandemic and beyond, this year has affirmed that we know how to get through them together. Keep hope alive!

President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous

What comes to mind when you hear the words, “physical fitness?” You may have thought about a physical education class or maybe even a social media fitness influencer. But there’s more to physical fitness than meets the eye. 

Fitness is the ability to carry out daily tasks without excessive fatigue. It’s best to think of physical fitness as a commitment to moving more each day.

The CDC recommends that adults get at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two hours of strength training each week. 

Fitness isn’t limited to those who frequent the gym, athletes, or self-proclaimed fitness gurus. 

All students, regardless of body composition, fitness level, or ability, can benefit from some form of movement.

Even small increases in the amount of movement performed each day can:

• Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
• Release endorphins that improve mood and reduce anxiety
• Improve quality of sleep
• Promote concentration and overall brain health 

Moving more can be a chore for many of us— but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five tips that’ll make you look forward to incorporating more movement in your daily routine.

1. Motivate each other. Build connections with others by joining a virtual fitness class or working out with a roommate. Encourage each other as you achieve fitness goals.
2. Mix it up. Plan different activities to avoid boredom.If you did a yoga class one day, try water aerobics or dancing to your favorite songs the next day. Create an inspirational playlist to get you through the toughest workouts.
3. Start slow. If you’re new to physical activity, try starting off with light-intensity activities like taking a leisurely walk or doing dumbbell curls using water bottles or lighter weights. Then, gradually progress to moderate and vigorous activities like jogging, playing a sport, or doing a high-intensity chair workout. 
4. Reward yourself. When you achieve a fitness goal, treat yourself to something that brings you joy like your favorite meal or a new clothing item.
5. Use your resources. There are plenty of sample workouts, weekly fitness journals, and how-to guides on apps like YouTube, TikTok, Nike Training Club, and Strava. Some YouTube fitness channels with workouts for individuals of all fitness levels include—

• Fitness Blender
• Blogilates
• PopSugar Fitness
• Kym Perfetto (formerly Kym NonStop)
• HasFit

For more information on how you can get moving here at UMBC and in the greater Baltimore County community, please visit the following resources—

• UMBC Retriever Activities Center (RAC)
• UMBC Office of Health Promotion
• Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks