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. Please keep in mind that even if it becomes necessary to close the physical campus for inclement weather, online classes will still be held and employees should continue to work remotely. When campus is closed, face-to-face classes will not meet in person. Students may receive additional guidance from their instructors on alternative arrangements.

For the most reliable information, we encourage all members of the campus community to sign up for our E2Campus emergency alert text-messaging system. When winter weather occurs, please visit the UMBC homepage and myUMBC for the latest information on the status of the physical campus.

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; and weather and related road conditions in the surrounding area. 

Please note that the decision to close campus or open late applies to the main UMBC 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

Be sure to use official sources of information, such as E2Campus text alerts, campus email, and the UMBC homepage, for the most complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about any delays or closures. We also strongly recommend you review our inclement weather and emergency closing policy to understand how a delay or closure impacts campus schedules, activities, and events. You can also see UMBC's snow removal plan to learn our process and prioritization for clearing roads, parking areas, and walkways.

We ask that you 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 that 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

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 November 18. The dashboard provides timely data about the prevalence of COVID-19 within our main campus. There were 14 new positive cases during this reporting period.

• Check out this important information from the CDC about masks and their role in the prevention of COVID-19 infection; please read and share with those you care about.

Reminder: Protect Yourself with a Seasonal Flu Shot

• University Health Services (UHS) has a limited supply of seasonal flu vaccines. Flu shots are available by appointment only at UHS on the ground floor of Erickson Hall for students, faculty, and staff approved to be on campus during the fall semester. Call UHS at 410-455-2542 to schedule your appointment before Thanksgiving. Remember that getting a flu vaccine has never been more important in protecting yourself and  our community.

• In addition, you can visit the UHS flu shot page for off-campus locations in the Catonsville-Arbutus area offering flu shots. Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of the flu shot; be sure to have your health insurance card with you. Remember to call ahead to ensure the location you plan to visit has vaccines available.

Women of Color Coping Circle

• The Counseling Center hosts a virtual Women of Color Coping Circle on Fridays at 

2 p.m. Information on the Friday, November 20 session is available here.

Brave Space Forum: Anti-Asian Violence and COVID-19

• The Women’s Center is hosting a Brave Space Forum: Anti-Asian Violence and COVID-19today, Thursday, November 19, at 4 p.m.

Mental Health Week Begins November 30

• University Health Services (UHS) will offer special events and resources during Mental Health Week, November 30 ﹘ December 4. These include a Mental Health Week Challenge and a drop-in session on Seasonal Depression and Stress. Follow the UHS myUMBC group for more information. 

Update on Campus Card and Mail Services Operations

• The Campus Card Office in the University Center will close for the year on November 25. Campus Card staff will continue to work remotely; all requests should be submitted via a Request Tracker ticket. 

• Mail Services will continue to operate from 8 a.m. ﹘ 12 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

UMBC Together

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

Dear Colleagues,

This is the time of year to reflect and share our gratitude with others. UMBC's Maryland Charity Campaign is an ideal way to recognize the hard work that so many do to uplift our communities. Your campus coordinators are doing an incredible job helping each department understand the value and also how to navigate the process of donating to one of the many incredible nonprofits connected to the campaign. We wanted to take this opportunity to share some of the organizations that they are passionate about, in their own words. 

You can find a cause you are passionate about in the 2020 Giving Guide.

I give to LARS (Laurel Advocacy & Referral Svcs) Because they are doing amazing work helping families in need and they are doing it in my area. I feel empowered when I help those around me, as I believe it builds up the community. When you help smaller organizations near you, you create a domino effect that transcends to many other areas in your community.

Menchu Esteban, UMBC Campus Card

I have made my pledge to support The Samaritan Women based in Catonsville, Maryland where I volunteer because I feel passionate about stopping human sex trafficking and helping to restore the lives of the victims who have been severely damaged by this atrocious injustice.

Dawn Stoute, CNMS

I give to FreeState Justice because when my wife and I needed legal counsel, in order to set up protections for our family, they helped us and with the current issues facing the LGBTQ community, FreeState Justice's mission to combine direct legal services with education and outreach to ensure that the low-income LGBTQ community in Maryland receives fair treatment in the law and society is vital.

Erin McGonigle, '08, UMBC Bookstore

Mark your calendars for UMBC’s annual holiday celebration, which will be virtual this year, on December 16 at 3 p.m. As is our tradition, there will be a prize drawing for anyone who donates to the Maryland Charity Campaign. Please consider completing UMBC Together’s Grit and Gratitude Survey to help us prepare for the event. 

Thank you for considering participating in this year’s campaign and for all that you do to support the UMBC family.

Dana Burr Bradley and Christopher Steele 

2020 Maryland Charity Campaign Co-chairs