Key Points
The number of COVID-19 cases on campus are stabilizing, additional safety measures continue.
There are available study spaces with extended hours for students to allow for physical distancing.
On-campus COVID-19 testing is available to concerned community members.
Dear UMBC Community,
As we shared last week, our COVID-19 response teams are actively managing an increase in COVID-19 cases on campus. The number of cases was not unexpected given the recent increases across our state and nation, and we took several immediate steps with the aim of reducing transmission on our campus. Our approach included working directly with affected individuals, asking for your help in observing key safety measures, and taking some strong precautions in residence halls.
We are cautiously optimistic that these measures are working and the situation is stabilizing. We know that some of these measures have been inconvenient and difficult, and we particularly appreciate the support of our residential students during this process.
We know that many in our community remain concerned, and we also know that the end of the semester often brings additional important gatherings, including student study groups. We wish to share with you a number of steps we are taking to try and ensure a safe and supportive environment:
Study Spaces
We have established a number of study spaces for students on campus and added extended hours for the end of the semester. The Albin O. Kuhn Library is also offering extended hours.These spaces were all selected because of their ability to allow for physical distancing. We are working to identify additional spaces and will keep this webpage updated.
On-campus Testing
Community members who are concerned about a potential exposure to COVID-19, or who wish to test before returning home at the end of the semester, can access free on-campus testing. More details for community testing are available on this webpage. Please do not come to campus or test if you are experiencing any symptoms. If you have symptoms, speak with your healthcare provider. Testing will be available until December 22.
Class Attendance
Following CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated community members who show no symptoms are able to access campus, including attending class. Please be vigilant about wearing your mask and distancing, and learn more about what to do and when to test here.
We ask that faculty members offer symptomatic students as much flexibility as possible as they complete their courses and final exams. We remind students to communicate clearly with your professors if you have to miss class because of illness.
We know that our students, faculty, and staff are all under a tremendous amount of stress. We appreciate your resilience and tenacity during this difficult time. Thank you for continuing to support one another and our community.
Provost Philip Rous
Vice President for Administration and Finance Lynne Schaefer
COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs
Dear Members of the UMBC Community,
As we enter the winter season, we want to review and update UMBC’s policies and procedures regarding weather-related closures and delays. If you have not done so, please sign up for our E2Campus emergency alert text-messaging system. This is the most efficient way to receive information not only about weather closures but also in emergencies. Closures and delays will also be posted on the UMBC homepage and myUMBC.
When it becomes necessary to close the campus for inclement weather, employees designated emergency essential must report. All other employees should work remotely. Administrative leave will be authorized for employees who cannot work remotely. Online classes will occur as scheduled. Face-to-face classes will not meet in person; students will receive additional guidance from their instructors.
Campus Closure Procedure
The decision to close or delay opening the campus is determined by many factors, including the type and severity of the forecast conditions; current conditions of campus roads, parking areas, and walkways; as well as weather and related road conditions in the surrounding area.
Please note that the decision to close campus or open late applies to the Catonsville campus only. Students, faculty, and staff at other sites are recommended to contact their location directly to receive inclement weather updates:
Shady Grove Campus – Visit the Universities at Shady Grove campus alerts website.
bwtech@UMBC – Email crice@umbc.edu to sign up for the bwtech@UMBC text alert system.
Columbus Center – The Columbus Center follows University of Baltimore policies and procedures during inclement weather, due to its proximity.
If Inclement Weather Occurs
Please take a moment to review our inclement weather and emergency closing policy to understand how a delay or closure impacts campus schedules, activities, and events. You can also review UMBC's snow removal plan to learn our process and prioritization for clearing roads, parking areas, and walkways.
You should use personal judgment when traveling to and from campus. Weather and related road conditions are not the same in every area where students, faculty, and staff live. Consequently, the decision as to whether it is safe to travel must ultimately rest with each individual.
Faculty should arrange a system for communicating with their students should it be necessary to cancel class when the university is open. Employees who are scheduled to work on campus but cannot report due to local road conditions should communicate directly with their supervisor.
We hope that you and your families stay safe, healthy, and warm this winter.
Lynne Schaefer, Vice President, Finance and Administration
Key Points
We are currently responding to an increase in COVID-19 cases on campus.
While our medical team is monitoring the new Omicron variant, there is no indication that current campus cases are connected with this variant.
We must renew our commitment to our health protocols, including masking and distancing.
COVID-19 boosters and flu shots will be available on campus next week.
Dear UMBC Community,
We are currently managing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among our campus community. Approximately 30 cases have been identified, many of which originated off campus during break. Community members who have tested positive and anyone identified as a close contact are receiving individual follow up from our response team, and we continue to partner with the Baltimore County Health Department. While none of the current cases are severe, this is an indicator that we need to increase our individual and collective efforts to minimize transmission.
We also know that many in our community have concerns about the recently identified COVID-19 Omicron variant. While there is no indication that any current campus case is connected with this variant, we are working with our medical team to closely monitor developments and respond as necessary. At this time, our high vaccination rate and continued compliance with safety protocols are our best resources for protecting our community.
Please keep in mind:
Indoor masking and physical distancing remain our most effective strategies to stop the spread. Please minimize unnecessary gatherings and be strict about proper mask wearing when you are indoors.
We strongly encourage all eligible community members to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. All adults aged 18 and over are now eligible in Maryland. The CDC has noted that booster shots are particularly important for people who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. You should get a booster if you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago or if it has been more than six months since you completed another vaccine series.
Retriever Integrated Health is partnering with Safeway pharmacy to host another on-campus COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination clinic on December 8, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Retriever Activities Center. Off-campus guests, including family members, are welcome. Both the Pfizer and Moderna boosters, along with the flu shot, will be available at the clinic. You may select one or both shots; you can get both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 booster at the same time.
If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, consider taking an on-campus COVID-19 test. If you have symptoms, do not come to campus; please consult your healthcare provider. Residential students with symptoms should contact Retriever Integrated Health.
Our campus community has done a tremendous job thus far. With just four weeks left in the semester, we ask everyone to be proactive in keeping yourselves and our community safe and healthy.
Provost Philip Rous
Vice President for Administration and Finance Lynne Schaefer
COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs
To Our Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Many in our community are shocked and saddened by recent events, both on and off campus. This week, UMBC Police are investigating two reports of hate-bias crimes. These reports encompassed an attack on a Muslim student, the use of anti-Black slurs in an online meeting, a targeted verbal attack on a Black student in that meeting, and comments referencing LGBTQ populations. And now, with the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, we are once again reminded that injustice persists in our society. We still have so much work to do.
First, we want to make sure that as our community reacts to this news, students, faculty, and staff have the support that they need. You can find a comprehensive and timely list of resources for community members on this myUMBC page. We will also continue to share links to any upcoming care and support events. Please reach out to one another and, if you need help, ask for it.
While the close occurrence of these two reports of hate and bias in our community is troubling, we deeply appreciate the courage of the victims and witnesses who came forward to report these acts. Thank you for putting your trust in the University to investigate these reports and provide support for all affected.
Most importantly, we must all continue to commit ourselves to doing the work of equity and inclusion on our campus and beyond. Thank you for everything you do to support this work. This is truly the DNA of UMBC and what keeps hope alive.
President Freeman Hrabowski
Provost Philip Rous
Mehrshad Devin, President, Student Government Association
Orianne Smith, President, Faculty Senate
Joel Tyson, President, Graduate Student Association
Melody Wright, M.A. '21, President, Non-Exempt Staff Senate
Jess Wyatt, President, Professional Staff Senate
]]>We know this week has been challenging for our campus community. As the UMBC community reacts to news and responds to events, we want to make sure that students, faculty, and staff have the support that they need.
Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging (i3b)
On November 19, 4 to 5 p.m., i3b invites impacted students, staff, and faculty to the Mosaic Center (The Commons: 2B23 on the 2nd floor of The Commons) for drop-in support and community care.
Retriever Integrated Health/Counseling
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.: 410-455-2542
If you are finding recent incidents triggering and need additional mental health crisis resources, visit the Counseling Center’s crisis resource page.
The After-Hours Support Line helps connect students to resources: 410-455-3230.
Togetherall is a free online peer-to-peer community for students, and offers a safe and anonymous mental health support space 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Office of Equity and Inclusion
UMBC’s Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) is responsible for promoting and coordinating the University’s core values of inclusive excellence, equity, diversity. OEI has primary responsibility for managing UMBC’s efforts related to Title IX as well as other civil rights issues, including discrimination, harassment, hate and bias.
Community members may report instances of hate or bias through the Office of Equity and Inclusion’s confidential reporting form.
Faculty and Staff Support
Faculty and staff can access support through the Employee Assistance Program. ]]>Dear UMBC Community,
We are deeply saddened and concerned to learn about a reported hate-bias crime in The Commons Tuesday night. A UMBC student reported that she was approached by an unknown male who attempted to pull off her hijab, the traditional headscarf worn by some Muslim women.
Acts such as this have no place at UMBC. Hate and bias are counter to UMBC values, especially our community’s deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and welcoming people of all backgrounds.
UMBC Police are investigating, and the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Equity and Inclusion have reached out to the student, as well as other students impacted, including the Muslim Student Association, Student Government Association (SGA), and the Graduate Student Association (GSA).
The UMBC community is invited to a community care space for support and dialogue on Monday, November 22, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being at The Center for Well-Being, and is a collaboration between Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging (i3b); the Muslim Student Association; SGA; and GSA. Counselors from Retriever Integrated Health will be on-site to provide additional support as needed. Imam Yaseen Shaikh from The Islamic Society of Baltimore and Rabbi Jeremy Fierstein, chair of the UMBC Religious Council, will also be on-site to provide additional support as needed. The front patio of The Center for Well-Being will be used as a back-up location if needed to accommodate COVID-19 capacity expectations. The Center for Well-Being is located on Center Road between Chesapeake and Susquehanna Halls.
Students in need of support can contact i3b at i3b@umbc.edu. Faculty and staff can access support through the Employee Assistance Program.
We are committed to offering a safe and inclusive campus environment where community members and visitors of all backgrounds feel that they belong.
Community members, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni, can always report concerns using this confidential reporting form. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555.
It is essential that we continue to work together in building a caring, equitable, and inclusive community. Thank you for your commitment to inclusive excellence at UMBC.
President Freeman Hrabowski
Provost Philip Rous
Mehrshad Devin, President, Student Government Association
Orianne Smith, President, Faculty Senate
Joel Tyson, President, Graduate Student Association
Melody Wright, M.A. '21, President, Non-Exempt Staff Senate
Jess Wyatt, President, Professional Staff Senate
]]>Dear UMBC Community,
As you make your personal plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and accompanying break, please take a moment to consider the safety precautions you need to consider to keep our community healthy. We ask that you:
1. Review CDC guidance on domestic and international travel.
2. Consider the most effective way to minimize your risk as you gather with friends and family, particularly if there are individuals in your family who are unvaccinated or at a higher risk of COVID-19 complications. The CDC provides excellent advice on Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays.
3. Test if necessary. Fully vaccinated community members without symptoms are not required to test but may use on-campus testing if they think they may have been exposed. Any community member who is not fully vaccinated is required to test immediately upon returning to campus. More information on testing is available here.
4. Stay healthy! If you have not already, please consider getting a flu shot. If you are sick, do not come to campus. If you are exposed to someone who has COVID-19, review our response and reporting protocols before returning to campus.
We have had tremendous success at keeping our campus healthy and controlling the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate everything you are doing and ask for your ongoing support as we continue this effort.
Provost Philip Rous
Vice President for Administration and Finance Lynne Schaefer
COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee Co-Chairs
]]>Dear UMBC Community,
We are pleased to announce that the University will be closed on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, in order to extend the Thanksgiving break.
Thanksgiving is a time when we reflect on the people and experiences that are meaningful to us. The challenges we all continue to face—and the dedication and creativity our community members have shown in the face of those challenges—make us more grateful than ever to be part of this inspiring community. Thank you for all you do for UMBC.
The additional holiday applies as well to UMBC programs and offices at the Universities at Shady Grove. The day will be designated as a holiday on time sheets. Employees required to work on November 24 will have twelve months to use the holiday.
We wish you and yours a restful and safe holiday.
President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous
Dear UMBC Community,
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Human Resources wishes to remind you of thealternative work arrangements available to staff. While these arrangements were originally published as a pilot for the fall semester, they are now officially extended to apply to the Spring 2022 semester. As supervisors/department heads think through the best way to provide services to our community, we ask that you consider what alternative work arrangements will work to support your team, and the community members you serve.
Alternative work schedules can allow for flexibility for a variety of roles and schedules. When evaluating the feasibility of any schedule, consideration must be given to meeting customer needs, maintaining camaraderie and connections across campus and within teams, and ensuring that any work performed off site is compliant with UMBC’s and the Division of Information Technology’s security protocols.
Final approval for employees requesting telework will continue to be granted at the college or division level. Requests for fully remote work must receive final approval from Human Resources and should continue to be very limited. You may continue to submit requests for Fall 2021until December 15, 2021. The available form now allows you to submit a request for Spring 2022, you will select the appropriate term at the end of the form. Spring telework agreements start January 1, 2022 and end June 30, 2022. All employees requesting telework or remote work will need to complete the spring form.
Questions regarding alternative work arrangements may be submitted to COVID19hrresponseteam@umbc.edu. Supervisors are encouraged to reach out if they need assistance creating their team schedules.
We are pleased to extend these arrangements into the spring semester in order to recognize the incredibly hard work of all in our community and to support our employees as they navigate continued challenges with self care, family care, and other work/life balance considerations.
Valerie A. Thomas, Chief Human Resources Officer
Dear UMBC Community,
I am delighted to take this opportunity to celebrate the career of Lynne Schaefer, Vice President for Administration and Finance, as she announces her plans to retire at the end of the calendar year. Beginning January 1, 2022, Kathy Dettloff will assume the position of Vice President for Administration and Finance. Kathy joined UMBC in 2019 as Associate Vice President in Financial Services, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in higher education.
During her 16 years at UMBC, Lynne has been a remarkably effective and collaborative leader who brought the highest level of financial acumen to her role. In addition to her work at UMBC, she has been a thought leader at the national level, including serving as board chair for the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). She also played an important leadership role within the University System of Maryland in responding to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lynne came to UMBC in 2005 after serving as the Vice President for Finance and Administration at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan; and as Budget Director and Vice President for Administrative Services at Wayne State University in Detroit. In addition to her extensive experience in financial management, Lynne also brought comprehensive knowledge of higher education policy gained while working in Michigan state government, including as the governor’s education policy advisor.
Lynne’s leadership has been instrumental in creating a financially stable community that engenders innovation and growth through shared values. She oversees UMBC’s $480+ million budget and a variety of administrative functions, including Financial Services, Human Resources, Campus Police, and Facilities. She has played a key role in guiding the University through multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the great recession, all while creating a collaborative priority-based budget process that emphasizes protecting the academic program, supporting the UMBC community, and improving the experience of our students. Lynne’s work has been defined by a commitment to excellence, service, and transparency. She is currently writing a book with Provost Philip Rous, Peter Henderson, and me reflecting on the challenges of the past two years and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lynne’s work has also shaped the way the UMBC campus looks today. She has overseen all aspects of multiple new innovative campus buildings, including the Performing Arts and Humanities Building, the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building, and the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. She secured funding for these buildings and led the teams that managed their design and construction. As many of you know, she is particularly proud of our campus beautification efforts, and the teams that maintain and protect some of our most loved spaces, including the new campus entrance, the Retriever Activities Center plaza, the library pond, and more.
In addition to budget management and capital projects, Lynne’s leadership tenure has been defined by her strategic work to maintain our strong enrollment numbers and make sure UMBC is an attractive option for prospective students at all levels. She also developed and defined the University’s crisis management work, including serving as co-chair of the Retriever Courage Implementation team and chair of the Crisis Management Executive Team. She also leads our work in sustainability and our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
As a committed mentor and student of leadership development, Lynne is most proud of the strong team that she has assembled. Lynne’s management style is defined by partnership, mutual support, and respect. According to Valerie Thomas, Chief Human Resources Officer, “Lynne encourages collaboration and communication while also empowering the professionals on her team to do their work.” Lynne has created a team that is driven by vision and prioritizes customer service. Her team's commitment to embracing technology as a way to improve service processes has allowed the University to modernize and simplify many of its business processes. Terry Cook, Senior Associate Vice President for Administrative Services, says “Under Lynne’s leadership, the Administration and Finance Division was transformed into an innovative, customer service focused organization. Lynne empowered staff to attempt new approaches and systems, offered advice, and supported their efforts. We were very fortunate to have Lynne here at UMBC for the past 16 years, and her contributions will be appreciated well into the future.”
Lynne’s leadership and mentorship extends well beyond her division. Damian Doyle, Senior Associate Vice President, Division of Information Technology, has also benefited from Lynne’s mentorship. “Lynne has been a tremendous advocate and partner to me, including in her support of the leadership of the Professional Staff Senate. Her candor and thoughtful and level-headed approach to situations often helped us see past the immediate issues to focus on the larger picture, to see ways to affect change on a larger scale than we could have on our own. She is a stalwart champion for staff and makes sure that—no matter their title or level—all voices are heard and valued.”
Beyond UMBC, Lynne has shared her talents with a variety of professional communities and volunteer efforts. She served as NACUBO’s board chair from 2018-2019, and was named one of the Daily Record’s Top 100 Women in 2008. She has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and is currently on the board of the Meadville Lombard Theological School, which educates progressive religious leaders grounded in the Unitarian Universalist values of justice, equity, and compassion. She is the mother to two children, both of whom are part of the UMBC family. Her son Matthew, a Meyerhoff scholar, graduated from UMBC in 2017 and is now completing a Ph.D. in computer science at Georgia Tech. Her daughter Samantha, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon, was a frequent visitor to campus and a one-time UMBC employee. Lynne is also an avid bridge player, and has competed at the highest national levels for more than 30 years.
It is a testament to Lynne’s leadership efforts that a member of her team will step into her role. Kathy Dettloff joined the UMBC community in 2019 as Associate Vice President for Financial Services. Prior to joining UMBC, Kathy served as the Vice President of Finance and Budget and Associate Treasurer at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. In this role, she was responsible for providing university-wide leadership and broad strategic oversight to the areas of university finance, budget, risk management and insurance, and administrative shared services. She was also the Chief Budget Officer at the University of Delaware and spent 16 years at Johns Hopkins University in a number of positions with increasing responsibility.
At UMBC, Kathy has worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that the University’s budget remains balanced despite cuts, that students have the resources they need to navigate challenging financial times, and that recovery funds were applied to the areas of greatest need. Our entire senior leadership team looks forward to working closely with Kathy.
Please join me in congratulating Lynne and thanking her for her commitment to UMBC. I know we all look forward to celebrating with her in December.
President Freeman Hrabowski