Hello
graduate students,
We at GEARS welcome you all to the spring semester here at UMBC. To start this
semester, GEARS is planning to host a game event February 27, 2021. Please
fill out the form below to vote for which game you wish to play with your UMBC friends.
Prizes worth $450!!!
In order to participate, this form must be completed by 2/23 2021, 10:00 PM
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Please see the latest updates on UMBC’s Retriever Ready website. Questions? Email covid19@umbc.edu.
At UMBC, we believe in the importance of building community. UMBC’s community is especially appreciated for its diversity among the students, staff, and faculty. However, minority students, mostly those who are Black, often don’t feel a sense of community among those who share the same culture or racial identity as them. This is an opportunity for that to change! With America’s current political and social climate, it’s become increasingly important to make sure that our community is actively pursuing racial equity as well as cultivating an environment where Black students feel heard and comfortable. Furthermore, we want to redefine the idea of Black Excellence, so that it is more focused on the authenticity of the Black experience, rather than appealing to societal norms.
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The Black Excellence Summit hosted in collaboration with the Student Government Association (SGA), Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging (i3b), Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), Africana Studies Department, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, CURL P.W.R, the Women’s Center, and the Faithful Black Men Association (FBMA). This event is a virtual summit taking place on February 27th, 2021 through Webex from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
Please use the link below to RSVP as spots are limited, and choose which two sessions you are interested in attending:
Racial Trauma/Racial Battle Fatigue and Radical Self Care - Dr. Whitney Hobson, Staff Psychologist/Multicultural Coordinator
Understanding and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome - Ciara Christian, Graduate Assistant, Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging
Understanding and Responding to Microaggressions - David Shanks, Community Director for Hillside & Terrace Apartments; Amery Thompson, Community Director for Harbor Hall
Challenging Racial Disparities in Health - Samantha A. Smith, Associate Director of Health Promotion, University Health Services
Race in the Classroom and Academic Success - Carlos Williams, Academic Advocate, Academic Success Center
The Practice of Diaspora: Exploring Pan-Ethnic Identity & Unity - Erin E. Waddles, Coordinator, Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging
Link to RSVP: https://forms.gle/MCJk5wCFMfyHAw497
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Invitations are going out soon to participate in the Maryland College Alcohol Survey. If you are invited to take the short survey, your name will be entered to win a PlayStation 5 or a gift card to the UMBC bookstore. No two students are alike, so your unique voice matters. Completing the survey is an easy way to help UMBC measure what is occurring on our campus. All survey responses will be kept completely confidential. Survey invitations will be sent out between February 21 and March 14. Please check your inbox and take the time to complete the survey. Your feedback matters!
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On Thursday, 18 February 2021, from 9 to 10am, the American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM) and UMBC are hosting a fireside chat on Product Inclusion with Annie Jean-Baptiste, author of Building for Everyone: Expand Your Market with Design Practices from Google’s Product Inclusion Team. In her talk, she'll discuss how to build inclusive products across the intersections of 12 dimensions of diversity. She is passionate about making the web work for under-served communities while ensuring that Google is a place where everyone shines for their differences. Following her talk, we will host a group discussion exploring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE/I) in the design and management of critical technological systems.
We're offering this student-centered webinar with Annie Jean-Baptiste, with the goal of promoting inclusive practices to help you in your classrooms as TA's or Future Faculty.
You can read more about this event here: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/coeitecep/events/91001
You will need to register in order to attend the webinar: https://asem.org/event-4144558/Registration
- Taxpayers who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit in Tax Year 2019 and reside in or have permanent residence in Maryland as of February 12 are eligible for one-time stimulus payments of $300 or $500. Taxpayers can visit the Comptroller's website to see if they qualify and check the status of their payments. They can also cal1 1-833-345-0787 or email ReliefAct@marylandtaxes.gov for more assistance. No application is necessary. For more information check out these FAQ's.
- Marylanders awaiting unemployment insurance adjudication will be sent $1,000 grants. Check out these FAQ's for more information.
- State income taxes on Unemployment Insurance income received during 2020 and 2021 will be waived for single filers who report under $75,000 in income and joint filers who report under $100,000. Taxpayers who have already filed their 2020 State tax returns can file an amended return for a full refund of Maryland state income taxes.
Energy Assistance Toolkit: The Office of People's Counsel has created an energy assistance toolkit to help Maryland households facing utility turn-off notices keep their power on. This toolkit includes videos, application forms, and resource guides. Check out this video to learn how to fill out the Office of Home Energy Programs application.
Utility Bill Help: Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services, Probono Resource Center of MD and Office of People's Counsel have come together to provide remote Utility Clinics.Baltimore City residents can receive free legal advice from volunteer attorneys and from OPC staff regarding their water, gas, and/or electric bills. Attorneys will advise on issues such as unusually high or delinquent bills, bill disputes, shutoffs, and questions about financial assistance that may be available. Everything is done via phone, email, text, and mail. See the attached flyer for more information about how to connect clients to this free service. Please feel free to distribute.
Maryland Insurance Administration: The Maryland Insurance Administration will be hosting a virtual event where you can meet one-on-one with an expert to discuss quesitons about home, auto, life, health, renters and commercial insurance. The "Ask the MIA" event takes place Thursday February 25, 2021, 11AM-2PM. Register for the event here. See the attached flyer.
Health Insurance: The Maryland Health Connection has extended the emergency special enrollment period for uninsured Marylanders. You can enroll in a private health insurance plan now through Saturday, May 15, 2021.
Coverage start dates follow:
· Enroll by February 15, coverage starts February 1
· Enroll February 16–March 15, coverage starts March 1
· Enroll March 16–April 15, coverage starts April 1
· Enroll April 16–May 15, coverage starts May 1
Visit the Maryland Health Connection online or download the free “Enroll MHC” mobile app. When enrolling, consumers should request or select “Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period.” Help is available by calling 855-642-8572 weekdays from 8AM-6PM.
Wednesday, March 3 • 5 - 6:30 p.m.
A Virtual Community Event
UMBC alumni, faculty, and staff are at the forefront of scientific, social, and policy responses to the grand challenges facing Maryland and the nation. We invite you to listen in as leading Retrievers talk about their work and what this moment requires of each of us. Topics and invited speakers include:
Welcome & Public Policy in a Triple Pandemic
Brian Frazee ‘11, M.P.P. ‘12, President, UMBC Alumni Association, and Vice President, Government Affairs, Maryland Hospital Association, emcee
The Honorable Adrienne Jones ‘76, Speaker, Maryland House of Delegates
Rebuilding Trust in Science
A discussion with UMBC community members responding to the coronavirus pandemic and developing the vaccine.
Freeman and Jackie Hrabowski, UMBC President and First Lady
Dr. Kate Tracy, M.A. ’01, Ph.D. ’03, Special Advisor to the Senior Vice Chancellor, University System of Maryland
Featuring comments from Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett ‘08, Senior Research Fellow, NIAID's Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory
One Virus, Different Experiences
A conversation about the structural inequities exacerbated by the pandemic and the response efforts, specifically how UMBC community members are working to resource minority communities in Baltimore City.
Dr. Letitia Dzirasa ‘03, Baltimore City Health Commissioner
Josh Michael ‘10, Director, Baltimore School Partnerships, Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Programs
Diane Bell-McKoy ‘73, CEO, Associated Black Charities
Redefining Public Safety
A dialogue on the national movement for criminal justice reform and how UMBC community members are leading the way in Maryland.
The Honorable John Olszewski, Ph.D.‘17, Baltimore County Executive
William Joyner ‘11 , Equity Officer, Baltimore City Police Department
Eric Ford, Director, The Choice Program at UMBC
Questions? Please email Marie Lily, Director, Community Engagement, atmlilly@umbc.edu.
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