Please see the latest updates on UMBC’s Retriever Ready website. Questions? Email covid19@umbc.edu.

This is the last Retriever Ready Action Update for 2020; the next edition will arrive in your in-boxes on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Best wishes for a healthy and restful break.

Winter Symptom Tracking Requirement for On-Campus Students

• Residential students who have access to winter housing are required to continue daily online symptom tracking during the winter break.  Failure to do so may result in a loss of access to on-campus housing.

Testing Requirement for Those Returning to Campus in January 2021

• All employees, researchers, and student workers who will return to campus after the winter break must obtain a COVID-19 test. Please review this page for more information.

COVID-19 Health & Safety

• Here is the latest Maryland Department of Health COVD 19 Advisory, which shares information about travel and highlights the CDC advisory limiting gatherings to those within your immediate household.  

Enter the USM Public Health Challenge

• The University System of Maryland (USM) COVID Research & Innovation Task Force invites members of the USM community to take part in a multimedia Public Health Challenge by submitting original videos and social media campaigns that highlight ways for Marylanders to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic. The deadline for entry is 9 a.m. on January 25, 2021. Click here to learn more.

Counseling Center and UHS Closures

• In keeping with UMBC’s winter break closure, the Counseling Center and University Health Services will be closed between December 24 and January 3. The Counseling Center after-hours support line will continue to operate and can be reached at (410) 455-3230.

UMBC Together

• Did you miss the Grit & Gratitude Virtual Holiday Event last week? You can enjoy the full program, including appearances by campus leadership, student performers, and UMBC's own Rhodes Scholars, here! Happy holidays, everyone!

• Visit the UMBC Together website for recent social media posts and the UMBC Together myUMBC group for information on upcoming events.

UMBC Student Dining Advisory Team

Application for Spring 2021

Recently, our UMBC community has been made aware of divisive language shared on social media pages that has negatively impacted members of our community, specifically members of the LGBTQIA+ and Muslim communities. Taking into account all the ways that our individual and community’s well-being has been negatively impacted this year, situations like this cause additional stress and trauma. Here at UMBC, diversity and inclusive excellence are principles and practices that we value. When we honor these values, it helps to keep our community and its members safe and well.

The Office of Health Promotion (OHP) deeply cares about the well-being of each and every member of our community, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race/ethnicity, or religion. The OHP team, which includes our professional and student staff, want to affirm our dedication to fostering a culture of mutual respect and equity. We also recognize that all members of our community are free to express their points of view but do not believe that this freedom should be used to harm members of our community.

The greatness of our UMBC community is reflected in how we care for and treat each other. We honor and will continue to support the well-being of all students. We stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ and Muslim-identified members of the community during this time, and always.

To the LGBTQIA+ and Muslim-identified members of our UMBC community,

We see you. We hear you. We value you.

If you are in need of additional inclusion resources, we encourage you to contact the following UMBC offices before December 23 or after January 3 due to UMBC’s closure for the winter break.

❏      The Office of Equity and Inclusion

oei@umbc.edu

❏      Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging

i3b@umbc.edu

❏      The Women’s Center

womenscenter@umbc.edu

If you would like to process these events with a professional, the Counseling Center is available to all students. Please contact 410-455-2472 to make a virtual appointment. 

If you are looking for support resources between December 23, 2020 and January 3, 2021, please call the after-hours support line 410-455-3230.

Please see the latest updates on UMBC’s Retriever Ready website. Questions? Email covid19@umbc.edu.

COVID-19 Health & Safety

• UMBC’s Public Health Dashboard was updated with new data on December 16. There were six new positive on-campus cases during this reporting period. Our current positivity rate is 1.4 percent, which we recognize is higher than it has been for most of the semester. We believe this is mostly due to a significant reduction in on-campus testing as the semester closed, meaning that the University is only receiving self-reports of positive tests.

• For some the holidays are a difficult time this year and some are struggling with the loss of traditions due to COVID-19 and other circumstances. This article includes helpful information and resources.

Counseling Center Presents December De-Stress 

• The Counseling Center presents December De-Stress: Show Us Your Projects on Thursday, December 17 at 2 p.m. Share projects or other things that have brought you joy or meaning this year ﹘ or tell us about activities or projects you might like to try in the future. Take a break, connect with other UMBC students, and maybe get inspired to try something new this Winter Break.

UMBC Together

• Visit the UMBC Together website for recent social media posts and the UMBC Together myUMBC group for information on upcoming events.

Retriever Essentials disseminates an annual survey to gauge the levels of food/housing insecurity among UMBC students, staff, and faculty members. This survey assists us to measure our program awareness and refine our functions to better help the community.

Your responses will not only help us in providing essential resources to those in need, but also support us in advocating for increased food access and improved housing security for the vulnerable members of the UMBC community.

To complete the survey please click on the version that applies to you. The survey takes about 3 to 7 minutes.

Continuing Student Checklist

This checklist is for those students who have completed at least one semester while using their military education benefits at UMBC.

NOTE: Returning students need to submit the Request for Certification each semester that they are enrolled in classes.

1. Register for Classes

2. Submit your Request for Certification. You will submit this form to us with your “Certificate of Eligibility” once you have registered for classes for the upcoming semester.  It can be found at veterans.umbc.edu/forms or linked HERE

3.  If you change the number of credits that you have registered for, you will need to resubmit your Request for Certification with your updated credits. Please submit this form AS SOON AS you change your schedule to avoid debts from the VA

Spring 2021 Registration and Certification Information and Updates

As we wrap up the Fall 2020 semester and look ahead to Spring 2021, would like to take this opportunity to go over a few friendly registration and VA-related reminders and dates to help ensure your success.

Advance registration for the Spring 2021 semester has concluded. Below are some helpful resources if you still need to register or adjust your schedule.

Registration Information
Registration Deadlines
Departmental Advising Information

Please remember: VA certification requests for the semester should be submitted as soon as possible after you have registered for classes. Initial certification for books and housing will take place within 14 business days after receiving your request.

The final certification process for tuition and fees for all VA students begins following the add/drop deadline and can take up to 30 days. This does not include VA processing time to send tuition payment to UMBC which can additionally take 3-4 weeks.

Students using GI Bill® benefits wishing to register for upcoming terms with an overdue balance for the current term can contact the VA Certifying Official requesting permission to register.

Additional Information

With regards to questions pertaining to book and housing allowance payments due to COVID, law S.3503 provides the VA with temporary authority to continue GI Bill® payments uninterrupted during an emergency. The law allows the VA to pay education benefits regardless of the fact that a program has been converted from in-person to online modality. These special COVID rules have been extended to December 21, 2021.

Please be mindful that all classes taken must be required towards the degree being pursued as shown in your degree audit. You should consult with your academic advisor if you have questions regarding degree requirements. You can also contact the Registrar’s Office degree audit team.

As always, we work closely with the VA to ensure enrollments are accurately certified and processed. Should you have questions about the certification process, please reach out to our VA certifying official. Your patience during peak times is greatly appreciated. Best wishes for a safe and successful semester..