Dear Colleagues,
The State Office of Legislative Audits has decided to postpone their audit of UMBC. At this time, we do not have an estimated restart date; we will share that date with the community when we have it.
Please take this time to review your procedures and ensure that all documentation is in order. If you have any questions regarding the audit or how to prepare, please contact Megan Cherry or Michel Scott in Management Advisory Services at MASInquiry@umbc.edu.
Thank you,
President Valerie Sheares Ashby
]]>Dear Colleagues,
As winter weather temperatures return this weekend, please take immediate precautions in your workspaces to reduce the risk of facilities damage.
Today, please check your workspaces to ensure that all windows are closed and appropriately locked. If an exterior window does not function properly, place a work order with Facilities Management, so the window can be fixed. Also, check to make sure exterior doors are closed and secured. It is unsafe to leave exterior doors open for any length of time.
Thank you for your attention to these basic but important proactive steps. Our teams continue to work to repair damage to campus from this season's weather and need your help to prevent further issues.
Lenn Caron, Senior Associate Vice President, Administrative Services
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year 2023! We hope you spent some time over the holidays reflecting on your accomplishments and looking forward to new possibilities in the new year.
In the spirit of reflection and planning, we would love to gather your feedback on our recent Service Awards program. Whether you attended in person or virtually or you chose not to attend at all, we would love any and all input, which will help us plan even better ceremonies to come.
This short, anonymous survey takes only 3-5 minutes to complete. Please share your thoughts with us by January 20, 2023.
We invite those of you who missed the event to catch the recording here.
Thank you for all that you do to contribute to our vibrant community.
Lynne Adams, Chief Human Resources Officer
Dear Community Members,
Our campus teams and partners continue to address the damage caused across campus. Unfortunately, at this time, both the Administration and Biological Sciences (Schwartz Hall) buildings will remain closed until further notice. We expect these closures to last at least through next week.
Staff should continue to work remotely and should not access buildings without explicit permission from the provost, your vice president, or dean. If you have questions about your work schedule while the building is closed or the status of your office or laboratory, please connect with your supervisor.
When expected opening dates are determined, we will share these with you as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and partnership as we make sure the buildings are safe.
Kathy L. Dettloff, Vice President for Administration and Finance
]]>Dear Colleagues,
As part of the normal audit cycle, we received word this week that representatives from the State Office of Legislative Audits plan to begin their audit of the campus on Monday, January 9, 2023.
The auditors will be on campus for approximately six months reviewing records and processes for the period covering October 2018 through December 2022. A general guide and reference to working with the auditors is available on the MAS Audit Information Site.
To conduct their review, the auditors will randomly select individual departments to review financial records (e.g., purchasing card, payroll, and cash receipt documentation). Requests will be sent out by Management Advisory Services (MAS) through the RT ticket system. If you receive a request outside of the RT system, please contact MAS at MASInquiry@umbc.edu.
Your cooperation with the auditors in helping to facilitate their reviews is greatly appreciated. I know that everyone works hard to strengthen our operations, and we welcome the opportunity to work with the auditors to find ways to be even more effective.
If you have any questions regarding the audit, please contact Megan Cherry or Michel Scott in Management Advisory Services at MASInquiry@umbc.edu.
Thank you,
President Valerie Sheares Ashby
Dear UMBC Community,
As we shared yesterday, over the past 48 hours UMBC's main campus has experienced a number of burst pipes which resulted in water damage in multiple buildings. Over that time, the facilities management team has worked continuously to stop leaks, check for additional impacts, and assess damage. We have now gotten this situation under control. Currently, we have identified damage in ten buildings, including four residence halls.
Professional remediation efforts, including cleaning and drying, are already underway in affected buildings and we are working with any researchers and students currently on campus. If you are needed on campus, you will be contacted by your supervisor, building manager, or residential life.
We will share more with the community before the end of break, so that you know what to expect when you return. We are deeply grateful for our facilities management team, residential life staff, and our partners at ABM for their tireless work over the holiday to respond to this situation.
I hope that all of you stay safe and warm throughout the rest of the break.
Kathy L. Dettloff, Vice President for Administration and Finance
]]>Dear UMBC Community,
As a result of the campus-wide power outage coupled with low temperatures, UMBC's main campus is currently experiencing burst pipes and water damage in a number of buildings. We are assessing the situation and will provide a more extensive update tomorrow, Monday, December, 26.
At this time, we ask that you not come to campus unless directed by your supervisor or building manager.
Thank you for your patience and we are grateful for the hard work of our facilities teams.
Kathy L. Dettloff, Vice President for Administration and Finance
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