April 1: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update
Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely. Facilities will remain closed. Maryland is currently under a Stay at Home Order.

For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit covid19.umbc.edu. 

Join President Hrabowski and campus leaders this Friday, April 3, 2020, at 4 p.m., for a virtual town hall to reflect on our first two weeks of distance education and work. We're all in this #UMBCtogether, so please share any questions at covid19.umbc.edu/town-hall.

Student Services and Support
  • We are moving forward with the process of providing refunds to students and families. We hope to be able to provide them by the end of April. More details available here. 
  • Due to the Governor’s order, the residential move-out has been suspended. More information here.
  • University Health Services is providing services remotely, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays. Please visit their website or call 410-455-2542 for more information. If you have non-emergency health concerns outside of regular business hours and wish to speak with someone from UMBC’s After-Hours Support Line, please call 410-455-3230. 
  • At UMBC, students tend to report that difficulties with stress, time management, motivation, and anxiety often interfere with personal, social, and academic goals. The Counseling Center has created a unique series of free interactive workshops to help support students with these particular concerns.
Academic Continuity
  • The Academic Success Center has developed new FAQs for UMBC’s new Academic and Enrollment Policies in partnership with the Student Government Association and Faculty Senate. 
  • Students in Internships, Cooperative Education, Research Experiences, Field Placements, and Service-Learning & Community Engagement activities should review the Provost’s Directive for Applied Learning Experiences During COVID-19. 
  • UMBC faculty and alumni are participating in a number of COVID-19 related research activities; read more about these important efforts here.
Business Continuity and Staff Support
  • Business Services is only able to process payments that are University mission critical or essential for research. More information here.
  • Effective today, April 1, 2020, employers are required to notify all employees of their rights and benefits under the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). At the present time, all classes of UMBC employees remain in paid status, exceeding many of the benefits required under this Act. Additional information and guidance will be provided as it becomes available.
  • The annual performance evaluation cycle ended yesterday, March 31, 2020. With many employees working remotely, Human Resources is continuing to develop an online solution for routing the PMP form for review and approval. As such, the submission deadline has been extended to Friday, June 5, 2020. Additional details to come.
  • Transitioning to remote work requires a shift in mindset and skill sets. Review HR's Remote Work Guidance for Employees. 
  • Employees who have a live paycheck dated Friday, April 3, 2020 will receive notification from Payroll that will let them know to expect their check to be delivered to the address listed on their most recent tax forms.  
  • Please remember that at this time, active student employees will continue to be paid during the COVID-19 interruption period. Payments should be based on the student's work schedule or payment arrangements prior to the campus' remote work status. Supervisors and departmental payroll liaisons may refer to the COVID-19 Timekeeping Instructions and Reference Guide for more information.
  • Over the coming weeks, ABM will be cleaning out food that has been left in common area refrigerators in order to avoid food spoilage and maintain a healthy environment. 
Facilities
  • UMBC has donated thousands of N-95 and surgical masks, nitrile gloves, and other personal protective equipment to the Maryland Department of Health in partnership with the Department’s coordinator for Baltimore County.
  • Only students that are approved for late stay or employees with a letter from their supervisor should be on campus. If you have an emergency need to visit campus, call UMBC Police Deputy Chief Bruce Perry at 443-677-2195 or Lieutenant Derrick Johns at 410-207-0850.
  • The Mailroom will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. --12 p.m. Courier service is currently unchanged.
#UMBCtogether
In the midst of challenging times, the UMBC community always finds ways to support each other. Check out how Retrievers are staying #UMBCtogether even though we’re physically apart:

https://twitter.com/UMBC_DPS/status/1245363924666638336
https://twitter.com/UMBCAthletics/status/1245007193075744769
https://twitter.com/UMBCGlobal/status/1244977672322781186
https://twitter.com/KGRKein/status/1244730353224429571
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ca_f6nFdL/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-aghwHHShW/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Z2IG9Hcrg/

If you have questions or concerns, please email covid19@umbc.edu.

]]> Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely. Facilities will remain closed. Maryland is currently under a Stay at Home Order. For the most updated information and... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91768/guest@my.umbc.edu/9172a2d194a749aa53895122f661345b/api/pixel covid19update UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 1 0 true Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:29:10 -0400 Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:54:09 -0400 Applied Learning Experiences During COVID-19
Dear UMBC Community,

As we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community remains the highest priority. In light of Governor Hogan’s Executive Orders and under the leadership and guidance from the University System of Maryland, UMBC is taking action to further mitigate the outbreak and protect the members of the campus community and the public. 

Consequently, I have issued a Directive for Applied Learning Experiences During COVID-19 to be effective immediately for students involved in University-recognized Internships, Cooperative Education, Research Experiences, Field Placement, and Service-Learning & Community Engagement activities (credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing). Students must transition to a fully online/remote or alternative learning environment with their host site/organization. I am also urging students involved in non-University-recognized applied learning experiences to transition to a fully online/remote arrangement with their host site/organization. I understand the challenges that this directive may pose and recognize that not all activities will lend themselves to this change, but the University’s decision to prioritize health and safety is paramount. 

Additional information is available here and will be updated as new details become available.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you all for everything you are doing and the support you are providing to all of us as we navigate this difficult time.

Philip Rous, Provost

]]> Dear UMBC Community, As we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community remains the highest priority. In... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91737/guest@my.umbc.edu/069acdcd1f845ba3d9be4fd17bbb9c08/api/pixel covid19 UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 0 0 true Tue, 31 Mar 2020 17:28:24 -0400 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 17:29:08 -0400 March 30: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update
Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely. Facilities will remain closed.

Note: The Governor has issued a stay-at-home order effective at 8 p.m. today. The only exceptions to this order are for those performing essential job functions and those traveling to buy food or medicine or to seek urgent medical care. If you have an emergency and need to gain access to a campus building, please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555.

For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit covid19.umbc.edu. 

Join President Hrabowski and campus leaders this Friday, April 3 at 4 p.m., for a virtual town hall to reflect on our first two weeks of distance education and work. We're all in this #UMBCtogether, so please share any questions at covid19.umbc.edu/town-hall.

Student Services and Support
  • We are moving forward with the process of providing refunds to students and families. We hope to be able to provide them by the end of April. More details available here. 
  • UMBC Recreation and Physical Education is offering free online workouts starting this week.
  • University Health Services is providing services remotely, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays. Please visit their website or call 410-455-2542 for more information. If you have non-emergency health concerns outside of regular business hours and wish to speak with someone from UMBC’s After-Hours Support Line, please call 410-455-3230. 
Academic Continuity
  • UMBC has announced grading options for Spring 2020. Please make sure to review both the undergraduate and graduate messages. 
  • UMBC is currently operating in a Research Maintenance Mode. Primary Investigators and lab staff must apply through the Access Exception Form to be on campus. More information is available here.
Business Continuity and Staff Support
  • Human Resources has a new comprehensive FAQ page for employees and supervisors. 
  • Over the coming weeks, ABM will be cleaning out food that has been left in common area refrigerators in order to avoid food spoilage and maintain a healthy environment. ABM will throw away loose food such as fruits and vegetables as well as any containers of food that have been left behind. Any lunch bags or small coolers containing food will also be thrown away. Condiments will be left in the refrigerators. ABM will not remove anything from freezers and will not empty refrigerators located in offices or labs.
Facilities
  • UMBC has donated thousands of N-95 and surgical masks, nitrile gloves, and other personal protective equipment to the Maryland Department of Health in partnership with the Department’s coordinator for Baltimore County.
  • Only faculty and staff with explicit permission from their supervisors should be on campus. If you have an emergency and need to access a building, please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555.
#UMBCtogether
In the midst of challenging times, the UMBC community always finds ways to support each other. Check out how Retrievers are staying #UMBCtogether even though we’re physically apart:
If you have questions or concerns, please email covid19@umbc.edu.

]]> Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely. Facilities will remain closed. Note: The Governor has issued a stay-at-home order effective at 8 p.m. today. The only... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91713/guest@my.umbc.edu/ef337d3c8448f46135cdb96b94d62091/api/pixel covid19update UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 0 0 true Mon, 30 Mar 2020 21:39:07 -0400 Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:54:21 -0400 March 27: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update

March 27: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update


Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely. Facilities will remain closed.


For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit COVID19.umbc.edu. 


Join Dr. Hrabowski and campus leaders next Friday, April 3 at 4 p.m., in a virtual town hall to reflect on our first few days of distance education and work. We're all in this #UMBCtogether, so please share any questions at https://covid19.umbc.edu/town-hall/.


Student Services and Support


  • We are moving forward with the process of providing refunds to students and families. We hope to be able to provide them by the end of April. More details available here. 

  • Residence hall move-out will take place from April 3 – 16 with strict social distancing measures in place. Students received instructions this week.

  • UMBC Recreation and Physical Education will be offering free online workouts starting next week.

  • While the library may be closed, check out this great list of resources you can access from home.

  • University Health Services is providing services remotely from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays. Please visit their website or call 410-455-2542 for more information. If you have non-emergency health concerns outside of regular business hours and wish to speak with someone from UMBC’s After-Hours Support Line, please call 410-455-3230. 

  • If you are experiencing a physical health emergency while on campus, please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555. If you are off campus, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.


Academic Continuity

  • UMBC has announced grading options for Spring 2020. Please make sure to review both the undergraduate and graduate messages. 

  • UMBC is currently operating in a Research Maintenance Mode. Primary Investigators and lab staff must apply to be on campus through the Access Exception Form. More information is available here.


Business Continuity and Staff Support

  • On April 2-3, ABM will be cleaning out food that has been left in common area refrigerators in order to avoid food spoilage and maintain a healthy environment. ABM will throw away loose food such as fruits and vegetables as well as any containers of food that have been left behind. Any lunch bags or small coolers containing food will also be thrown away. Condiments will be left in the refrigerators. ABM will not remove anything from freezers and will not empty refrigerators located in offices or labs.

  • Human Resources has a new comprehensive FAQ pagefor employees and supervisors. 

  • Effective earlier this week, the University implemented a hiring process pause for the recruitment of all staff (non-faculty) positions. With the majority of employees working remotely, we are not able to effectively welcome and onboard new staff members at this time. Departments with a critical staffing need may submit a hiring exception request.  Further details can be found here.

  • During this time of extensive remote work, we encourage you to be vigilant about your online security. The number of scams and phishing messages circulating around our community and the Internet has increased significantly. In order to keep up with the new threats to our community, the Division of Information Technology has created a comprehensive security website. If you see suspicious activity or have information security questions, please contact DoIT Security at security@umbc.edu

  • In order to fully report the financial impact of COVID-19 to the University System of Maryland, the State of Maryland, and other organizations, please track all expenses related to COVID-19 separately. Guidance for collecting expenses can be found here. 


Facilities

  • Only faculty and staff with explicit permission from their supervisors should be on campus. If you have an emergency and need to access a building, please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555. 

  • Starting next week, the mailroom will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.


#UMBCtogether

In the midst of challenging times, the UMBC community always finds ways to support each other. Check out how Retrievers are staying #UMBCtogether even though we’re physically apart:

If you have questions or concerns, please email COVID19@umbc.edu. 


]]> March 27: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely. Facilities will remain closed. For the most updated information and more... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91667/guest@my.umbc.edu/e53aff6d85ec0d5d00f4a20f795a1d0e/api/pixel covid19update UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 1 1 true Fri, 27 Mar 2020 18:53:45 -0400 Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:54:34 -0400 Update on Refund Process
Dear Students,

As you know, we have been developing a plan to compensate students and their families for costs they have already paid for services and facilities that they will no longer be able to take advantage of given the University’s necessary shift to distance education. We are happy that the University System of Maryland Board of Regents gave us their approval to refund room, board, and certain fees, on a pro rata basis, to students who are not on campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This allows us to begin moving forward with the process of providing refunds to our students. 

The pro rata refund for UMBC students will be for room and board, which includes meal plans, and the following fees: Athletics and Recreation, Commons, Auxiliary Facilities, Parking and Transportation, and Student Activities (both undergraduate and graduate).

After we calculate each student’s refund amount, refunds will show up as credits to student accounts, and will be applied first to any outstanding balances. Remaining balances will likely be disbursed to students using our refund partner, BankMobile, through the student’s preselected refund preference. We hope to be able to provide refunds by the end of April. However, students without BankMobile profiles will be refunded via payment requests through the State.

We would like to thank everyone who reached out to share their thoughts and concerns with us over the past few weeks. We know this is an uncertain time, and we are committed to being as flexible and available as possible as we work to support the health of our community and the academic progress of our students.
Please visit covid19.umbc.edu for updates on this evolving situation. You can submit questions to covid19@umbc.edu.

Lynne Schaefer, Vice President, Finance and Administration, and Nancy Young, Vice President for Student Affairs
Co-Chairs, UMBC Crisis Management Executive Team

]]> Dear Students, As you know, we have been developing a plan to compensate students and their families for costs they have already paid for services and facilities that they will no longer be... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91664/guest@my.umbc.edu/ad93fed7ca80a6b7ee03b5e82e7f1d68/api/pixel covid19 UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 4 2 true Fri, 27 Mar 2020 17:34:54 -0400 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 13:53:56 -0400 Adjustments to Faculty Promotion Timelines and Processes
In recognition of the extraordinary circumstances we are experiencing, and in an effort to mitigate some of the impact on our faculty, including librarian faculty, we are instituting the following policy modifications related to the Promotion and Tenure (P&T) process for current tenure-track and librarian faculty. Please note that this is an evolving situation and we know additional measures may be warranted and will be communicated.

Modifications for Tenure-Track Assistant Professors
Upon request, all Assistant Professors who have not yet undergone third-year contract renewal will be granted a one-year extension for their contract renewal review. Per UMBC’s usual protocol, Assistant Professors who request this extension and successfully complete their third-year contract renewal will be automatically granted a one-year extension for their promotion and tenure review.

Upon request, all Assistant Professors who have successfully completed their third-year contract renewal will be granted a one-year extension for their promotion and tenure review.

Requests should be submitted to your department chair and will be forwarded via the Dean to the Provost for final action.

Assistant Professors who are scheduled for third-year contract renewal or for promotion and tenure review during academic year 2020-2021 are asked to submit their request on or before April 21, 2020.

Modifications for Associate Professors Hired without Tenure
Upon request, all Associate Professors hired without tenure will be granted a one-year extension of their scheduled tenure review. Requests should be submitted to your department chair and will be forwarded via the Dean to the Provost for final action. Associate Professors without tenure who are scheduled for tenure review during academic year 2020-2021 are asked to submit their request on or before April 21, 2020.

Modifications for Librarian I Faculty
Upon request, all Librarian I faculty who have not yet undergone promotion review, will be granted a one-year extension of their scheduled promotion and permanent status review. Requests should be submitted to the Director of the Library and will be forwarded to the Provost for final action.

Modifications Related to the Use of Spring 2020 Teaching Evaluations in P&T for all Tenure-Track, Tenured, and Full-Time Instructional Faculty
Spring 2020 Student Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) may not be used for any evaluative purpose for the P&T review of any tenure-track, tenured, or full-time instructional faculty member, including scheduled third-year contract renewals of pre-tenure faculty. This includes Assistant Professors being considered for promotion and tenure to the rank of Associate Professor, Associate Professors undergoing review for promotion to the rank of Professor, Lecturers undergoing review for promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer, and Senior Lecturers undergoing review for promotion to Principal Lecturer.

Spring 2020 SEEQs may not be included in P&T dossiers or used in any aspect of such promotion reviews now or in the future. The Provost will issue instructions to all relevant P&T review bodies consistent with this policy modification. Faculty may wish to choose to reflect upon their Spring 2020 teaching experiences in their self-assessment; however, the absence of such reflection may not be considered a negative indicator of faculty performance.

See the Chancellor's memo on Promotion and Tenure and the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis (March 25, 2020) for additional information.

Provost Philip Rous
]]> In recognition of the extraordinary circumstances we are experiencing, and in an effort to mitigate some of the impact on our faculty, including librarian faculty, we are instituting the following... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91639/guest@my.umbc.edu/ad48db4c23e8cf055cf39759ceefb33c/api/pixel covid19 UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 0 0 true Fri, 27 Mar 2020 10:38:57 -0400 March 25: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update
Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely. Facilities will remain closed.

For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit COVID19.umbc.edu.

Student Services and Support
  • University Health Services is now providing services remotely from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays. Please visit their website or call 410-455-2542 for more information. If you have non-emergency health concerns outside of regular business hours and wish to speak with someone from UMBC’s After-Hours Support Line, please call 410-455-3230. 
  • If you are experiencing a physical health emergency while on campus, please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555. If you are off campus, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
  • Students on the Aetna Student Health Plan should review these additional resources.
  • The Counseling Center is providing students with crisis support remotely via WebEx and phone from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays. Please call 410-455-2472.
  • Because UMBC is a Vitalsource campus, UMBC students can access a course material library of 50,000+ digital titles and borrow up to seven. Learn more here.
Academic Continuity
Business Continuity and Staff Support
  • The University’s Employee Assistance Program has released a customized site with resources for UMBC faculty and /staff.
  • Effective today, the University is implementing a hiring process pause around the recruitment of all staff (non-faculty) positions. With the majority of employees working remotely, we are not able to effectively welcome and onboard new staff members at this time. Departments with a critical staffing need may submit a hiring exception request.  Further details can be found here.
  • During this time of extensive remote work, we encourage you to be vigilant about your online security. The number of scams and phishing messages circulating around our community and the Internet has increased significantly. In order to keep up with the new threats to our community, the Division of Information Technology has created a comprehensive security website. If you see suspicious activity or have information security questions, please contact DoIT Security at security@umbc.edu.
  • Please review HR’s Remote Work Guidance for COVID-19 for engagement strategies, tips, and resources. Stay tuned on this site for continued updates and resources as they are announced.
  • A reminder that the evaluation period for the PMP ends on March 31, as scheduled.  Human Resources is currently working to develop an online signature capability for required forms and hopes to roll out this process in mid-April. As such, the deadline for submission of these documents will be extended.
  • In order to fully report the financial impact of COVID-19 to the University System of Maryland, the State of Maryland, and other organizations, please track all expenses related to COVID-19 separately. Guidance for collecting expenses can be found here.
Facilities
  • Only faculty and staff with explicit permission from their supervisors should be on campus. We understand that faculty and staff may need to access their offices on a one-time basis. If you need to do so, please call UMBC Police at 410-455-5555. Visits should be limited to 30 minutes or less. 
If you have questions or concerns, please email covid19@umbc.edu. 

#UMBCTogether
In the midst of challenging times, the UMBC community always finds ways to support each other. Check out how Retrievers are staying #UMBCTogether even though we’re physically apart:

https://twitter.com/varish/status/1242861220966825985?s=20

https://twitter.com/keithjbowman/status/1242628551561666561

https://twitter.com/womencenterumbc/status/1242443831825641474

https://twitter.com/abdullahdaej/status/1242238673623662592

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-IkTHDB5Px/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Ho_YGJe9b/


]]> Campus Status: The University is open, with employees working remotely. Facilities will remain closed. For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91591/guest@my.umbc.edu/5382b6879c3bb9aee66c9c3313119de0/api/pixel covid19update UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 1 0 true Wed, 25 Mar 2020 19:12:13 -0400 Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:54:47 -0400 Graduate Grading Method Options for Spring 2020
Dear Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff,

As we continue to pull together as a community to work through the uncertainty and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain unwavering and steadfast in our commitment to student academic success. We recognize current circumstances, including the shift to a remote and online learning environment, may present challenges. We are committed to delivering continuous and uninterrupted academic support, including the GSA writing advisor, PROMISE Success Seminars, and dissertation completion coaching, to ensure every student has the opportunity to be successful. In addition, to offer students maximum support and flexibility, we have made several adjustments to our Spring 2020 academic and enrollment policies, which are described below. Most importantly, we have collaborated with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, Graduate Council, and graduate student leaders to make these important policy adjustments.

The academic and enrollment policies detailed below will allow graduate students the opportunity to make the most informed decisions possible regarding their coursework, based on their individual circumstances, to ensure continued academic progress and degree completion. We hope that this flexibility will enable students to adjust to their new academic environment and focus on doing well in their coursework to successfully complete the Spring 2020 semester without the need to withdraw. 

Last Day to Request Grading Method Change from Regular to Pass/Fail (P/F): Requests accepted through June 10
Graduate students currently enrolled in a course under the regular grading method (A, B, C, D, or F, including +/- options) may request to have the grading method changed to Pass/Fail (P/F) by submitting a request to the Graduate School that is approved by both their faculty advisor and graduate program director (GPD). Note: Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor and GPD to discuss the various implications associated with changing the grading method to the Pass/Fail option, such as applicability to degree and accreditation requirements. Students are also encouraged to wait until after May 27, when Spring 2020 final grades are posted, before submitting a request to change the grading method to the Pass/Fail option. 

Last Day to Withdraw from an Individual Course(s): Deadline changed from April 6 to June 10
Students may withdraw from an individual course(s) via myUMBC self-service through May 12. After this date and through June 10, students may submit an RT Help Ticket to the Registrar’s Office and the withdrawal will be processed administratively. Note: Students are strongly encouraged to confer with their faculty advisor and GPD before withdrawing from an individual course(s) to ensure they have exhausted all other options to successfully complete the semester. Students who are receiving financial aid or scholarships should also contact their financial aid counselor to determine any impact a “W” grade may have on their future financial aid. Students are also encouraged to wait until after May 27, when Spring 2020 final grades are posted, before making the decision to withdraw from an individual course(s). 

Last Day for Complete Semester Withdrawals (Grade of “W”): Deadline changed from May 12 to June 10
Students may withdraw from the entire semester via myUMBC self-service through May 12. After this date and through June 10, students may submit an RT Help Ticket to the Registrar’s Office and the semester withdrawal will be processed administratively. Note: Students are strongly encouraged to confer with their faculty advisor and GPD before withdrawing from the entire semester to ensure they have exhausted all other options to successfully complete the semester. Students who are receiving financial aid or scholarships should also contact their financial aid counselor to determine any impact a “W” grade may have on their future financial aid. Students are also encouraged to wait until after May 27, when Spring 2020 final grades are posted, before making the decision to withdraw from the entire semester. 

Additional Policy Options: As students are seeking options for Spring 2020, we want to remind you of the following additional academic and enrollment policy options:
We have carefully weighed these adjustments to the academic and enrollment policies for Spring 2020 in order to ensure our graduate students are empowered to make the best decisions possible regarding their academic options and have every opportunity to be successful in their coursework. We realize that it is completely unprecedented for students to make decisions about course withdrawal or P/F grading after their final grade for the course is posted, but we believe these are extraordinary circumstances. Again, students are encouraged to confer with their faculty advisor and GPD to discuss options. If additional support is needed, or if students are unsure who to contact, the Graduate School is available to assist you at gradprogressions@umbc.edu.

Special Instructions for Conduct of Master’s Thesis and Ph.D. Dissertation Defenses During the UMBC COVID-19 Closure

This is a REVISED version of guidance that the Graduate School issued on March 16, 2020.
While UMBC is in the status of mandatory remote operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School authorizes that all final examination defenses for Master’s theses and Ph.D. dissertations may take place remotely using synchronous electronic access technology. In other words, students will be allowed to conduct fully virtual defenses for all committee members without express approval of the Associate Dean.

The Graduate School’s Policy on Remote Participation of Committee Members requires that the student and all committee members must participate using a synchronous form of communication – meaning that the student and all committee members can see and hear each other. The student must also ensure that each remote participant has access to their thesis or dissertation and their presentation.  

The Graduate School is making available DocuSign forms for the Certification of Readiness to Defend forms for Master’s and Ph.D. students. These forms must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled defense. It is important to note that the student must initiate the form by filling out the needed information, including the names of all committee members. Once this is done, the form will be sent to the committee signatories. After the last committee member signs the form, the form will be automatically routed to the Graduate School for processing. The DocuSign forms are available here.
 
Following receipt of the completed DocuSign forms, the Graduate School will send a signable electronic (.pdf) version of the Dean’s Representative packet to the Dean’s Representative and the Graduate Program Coordinator. We are using Adobe Sign, which does not require special software or setup by the committee members. At the end of the examination, the Dean’s Representative will complete the outcome section of the Exam Report and electronically sign the document. The Exam Report will automatically be sent by email to each committee member listed on the document. After all committee members have signed the Exam Report, it will automatically be routed to Patricia Windborn (Master’s) or Nicole Mooney (Ph.D.). All committee members will receive a copy of the signed Exam Report as well. There is no need to email the report or to send a paper copy to the Graduate School.  

Questions regarding defenses can be directed to Jeffrey Halverson, Associate Dean, at jeffhalv@umbc.edu.

Regards,

Philip Rous, Provost
Janet Rutledge, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
]]> Dear Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff, As we continue to pull together as a community to work through the uncertainty and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain unwavering and... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91568/guest@my.umbc.edu/3c26d481b25b5cfde0512a23141cfa54/api/pixel covid19 UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 0 0 true Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:09:31 -0400 Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:09:46 -0400 Remembering Maurice Berger
Dear UMBC Community,

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Dr. Maurice Berger, chief curator and research professor at UMBC’s Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC), who died Sunday, March 22, in Craryville, New York from complications of COVID-19. A path-breaking art historian and curator, Maurice was a fierce advocate for social justice and an exceptionally caring human being. Through his exhibitions and writings, he compelled us to look honestly at issues of race, inequity, and their representations in visual culture. 

Dr. Berger resided in New York City and was last on the UMBC campus on January 30.

“Maurice was a beloved member of the UMBC community, one of our most admired and productive scholars,” said UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III. “For many of us, he was even more than that. He was a special colleague and friend. We will always remember him as a brilliant voice for the arts and justice. The UMBC community so admired him because we shared the same values. He believed in the dignity of humankind and the power of art and history to open our eyes.”

Maurice began his career at UMBC in 1992, organizing a highly successful traveling exhibition entitled Ciphers of Identity. Since that time, he organized major traveling exhibition projects for the CADVC, including the first traveling retrospectives of noted artists Adrian Piper and Fred Wilson, and the celebrated exhibition For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights, which was organized in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“Mr. Berger is uniquely qualified to lead people through this type of historical reexamination,” remarked The Baltimore Sun in reviewing For All the World to See. “He is critical of labels but identifies himself, among many other things, as Jewish and gay and counts the things he saw growing up among African-American children in a housing project on Manhattan's Lower East Side as some of his most formative experiences. ‘Every time I do a show,’ says Mr. Berger, ‘I extend my hand to each and every [viewer] and say, I'll take your hand and help you walk through this.’”

The full reach of Maurice’s creative and scholarly work was remarkable and difficult to quantify. To him, it was every bit as important for his message to touch people in Waconia, Minnesota, or Moscow, Idaho (where For All the World to See was exhibited) as urban centers like Baltimore or New York. He published books, wrote articles, engaged in online events, curated exhibitions, and would engage in conversation with any willing participant.

As chief curator for the CADVC, Maurice played a pivotal role in organizing important exhibition and publication partnerships for the CADVC with cultural institutions such as the Jewish Museum in New York, the International Center for Photography, Yale University Press, The Studio Museum of Harlem, and the Gordon Parks Foundation. His final project with the CADVC, The Museum of the Old Colony, an art installation by Pablo Delano, was exhibited on campus in spring 2020.

In 2018, he received the International Center of Photography’s Infinity Award for Critical Writing and Research for his column Race Stories, which appeared monthly in The New York Times. Race Stories explored the relationship of photography to concepts and social issues about race usually neglected by mainstream media. To facilitate the research and creation of Race Stories, Maurice received an Arts Writers Grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation in 2014.

In acknowledgment of his groundbreaking work, Maurice received major grants and awards from the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Association of Art Museum Curators, the International Association of Art Critics, and an Emmy Award nomination. 

Maurice’s publications and exhibitions on race and gender in the United States won international recognition. His writings appeared in Artforum, Art in America, Aperture, National Geographic, Village Voice, Brooklyn Rail, Pen America, Wired, and the Los Angeles Times. His books included White Lies: Race and the Myths of Whiteness (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1999), a finalist for the Horace Mann Bond Book Award of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research, Harvard University; and For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights (Yale, 2010).

Countless colleagues of Maurice's in UMBC’s CADVC, department of visual arts, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and elsewhere in the UMBC community have voiced their deep appreciation of his scholarly, as well as personal, contributions to the university. He will be sorely missed.

Maurice is survived by his husband, Marvin Heiferman, known to many in the UMBC community for his work as a senior visiting scholar and organizer of the “Seeing Science” project. Memorial plans will be announced.

Scott Casper, Dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Symmes Gardner, Executive Director, Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture
]]> Dear UMBC Community, It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Dr. Maurice Berger, chief curator and research professor at UMBC’s Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91567/guest@my.umbc.edu/39317e3d5fa87e1f7bb074f90e4fded7/api/pixel memorial UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 18 0 true Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:00:57 -0400 Thu, 22 Jul 2021 11:20:03 -0400 Deadline Extended for Computer Replacement Initiative Academic Year 2020-2021CRI Dear Faculty and Staff,

This is to inform you that the deadline to apply for the Academic Year 2020-2021 Computer Replacement Initiative (CRI) is extended until April 10, 2020, in order to provide additional time for preparing your applications. The application form is available here. The May 31, 2020, deadline for awardees to make their selections will not change so that the University may submit its order to Dell as planned.

Thank you.

Antonio Moreira, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs ]]> Dear Faculty and Staff, This is to inform you that the deadline to apply for the Academic Year 2020-2021 Computer Replacement Initiative (CRI) is extended until April 10, 2020, in order to... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/91559/guest@my.umbc.edu/0f19238326ad9df3b4d7ea16d392f315/api/pixel UMBC Community News https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/insights https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/original.png?1593096708 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xlarge.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/large.png?1593096708 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/medium.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/small.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xsmall.png?1593096708 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/090/56c39666a7bf2e5028d5419fc903e52d/xxsmall.png?1593096708 UMBC Community News 0 0 true Wed, 25 Mar 2020 10:16:26 -0400