Real People Profiles: Asif Majid
I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.
Name: Asif Majid
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: Only 2 years as a student, but have been around here for at least a decade
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: New Student Liaison, INDSCOM
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: Helping others be who they are, enjoy life, and be happy
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: Being able to have a chat with anyone about anything, literally. By developing relationships with faculty, staff, and students, I am able to take advantage of the many incredible resources that exist at UMBC.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: How to integrate one department with another to create unique perspectives and solutions to problems.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: Sarcasm, Straight Up Tribal, peacebuilding, the UMBC Symphony Orchestra, outdoorsy goodness, the INDS Department, and stepping out of your comfort zone.
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
A: A wise man once said: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
The Finance Board is the branch of SGA that provides funds to support student organization activities: nearly $200,000 this year. Most of the Finance Board’s work is done at weekly meetings, where student organization leaders present requests and Finance Board members ask questions and make decisions. These meetings, which take place Tuesdays starting at 5:30 p.m., can be both long and intense. Finance Board members have to wrestle with complex issues: applying university policies, striking a balance between supporting amazing events and stretching funds across the entire year, thinking about the precedent-setting impact of their decisions. But they have a lot of fun too, partly because it’s so interactive and engaging.
My favorite things about the Finance Board: A lot of campus life passes through the Finance Board. Members get to brainstorm with student organization leaders and then see the resulting programs and activities, so they have a strong sense of their impact. Discussions are not just about money but about vision, philosophy and priorities.
For a more detailed description of the Finance Board’s structure and responsibilities (posted before last year’s election), click here. To apply to run for Finance Board for 2011-2012, click here. For a look at past election results, follow the links: 2010 election; 2009 election; 2008 election.
]]>
It's time to apply for elected positions in SGA for 2011-2012. In this and other posts this week, I'm looking at what it's like to serve in the various positions now available. The Finance...
http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/02/join-sga-finance-board-for-2011-2012.html
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Co-Create UMBC
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Co-Create UMBC
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Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:27:00 -0500
Real People Profiles: Rehana Shafi
I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.
Name: Rehana Shafi
Hometown: Born in Albuquerque, NM - lived there until I was 14 - then moved to Sharon, MA - lived there until I was 25 - then moved to MD!
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: 9 1/2 years -- 11 if you count my time as a Choice Program caseworker, which I certainly think counts for something :-)
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: Assistant Director of the Sherman Teacher Education Scholars Program. I also serve as co-advisor to Golden Key Honor Society, and I am Past President of the Professional Staff Senate
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: I support STEM majors who will go on to become Maryland's best classroom teachers!
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: I most enjoy "Sherman Family Meetings," when I have all of my scholars in a room together, talking about life in general, classes, how things are going in the classrooms in which they are working, etc. I love "my kids", as I call them.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: Do I have to pick one thing? The most important lesson I have learned is humanity - treat all others with dignity and empathy - and treat yourself with respect and compassion. Also, you should always conduct yourself as if others are around. The strength of your character lies in what you do when you think no one is watching. Oh, and one more - it is true that your mind is a most powerful force. What you put into living, whether positive, negative, or apathetic, affects the outcomes you will receive.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: The light that twinkles in the eyes of happy children. Try to imagine how the world looks from those eyes - wondrously beautiful and full of potential!
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
A: I have a couple of favorite spots on campus ... in the winter, I love the sun-soaked Women's Center, and in the summer, I enjoy sitting outdoors to eat lunch, whether behind the Commons or at the picnic tables between the ACIV buildings.
UMBC's SGA is a forum for making a difference on campus and beyond. Participants receive training and support as they tackle campus issues, create programs and work together for the benefit of all UMBC undergraduates.
20 students serve in SGA’s elected leadership positions: President, Executive VP, VP for Student Organizations, Treasurer, Senator (11) and Finance Board Member (5). These positions will be filled in the annual election in April. Learn more about these positions and apply to run for them here. No previous SGA experience is necessary. All elected officers receive stipends in recognition of their service.
Over the next few days, I’ll be posting descriptions of what it’s like to serve in each of these positions. As the people serving now can tell you, it’s a life-changing opportunity not to be missed.
So check out the application, and if you have questions, contact me at dhoffman@umbc.edu. I’ve been advising UMBC’s SGA for almost eight years, and I continue to be amazed by everything dedicated student leaders can learn and accomplish together.
]]>
UMBC's SGA is a forum for making a difference on campus and beyond. Participants receive training and support as they tackle campus issues, create programs and work together for the benefit of...
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Co-Create UMBC
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Co-Create UMBC
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Mon, 21 Feb 2011 08:06:00 -0500
Real People Profiles: Hamza Siddiqui
I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.
Name: Hamza Siddiqui
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: I'm a second semester…freshman!
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: I'm currently a First Year Ambassador for SGA Senate and a member of the First Year Council.
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: I work to empower and engage, educate and be educated. And stretchlimitationsasmuchasIcan.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: I enjoy the fact that I get the opportunity to interact with so many interesting people; people who are mentors and peers, friends and colleagues. The insights and commentaries I've had a chance to share have been deep and absurd, each enjoyable. And a gratifying part of my role is seeing the tangible impact it has, in the lives of people, be it on campus or community.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: I've learned not to take myself too seriously and that, contrary to what I believe, I don't know everything. And, every now and then, a little ridiculousness and spontaneity is necessary.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: So many things: Disney movies, The Daily Show, blueberries, chick fil-A milkshakes, David Hoffman, Fifa, adjectives.
But I'm a bigger fan of Calvin and Hobbes. It's simply the best.Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
A: I've been here for a little over half a year, and already I've had experiences, friendships and memories that are too numerous to count; I can only hope my brain is prepared for the remaining years at UMBC.
I believe that the UMBC experience is truly what you make it. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and explore a little. And if you want to do something do it; if you want to stand for something, stand for it; if you want to be yourself, by all means, be yourself.
UMBC will host a 2 day “Pre-Spring Break Dissertation House” on Friday, March 11 and 
Saturday, March 12, 2011. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack will be served daily. This Dissertation House session will be held in lieu of the annual Dissertation House and Community Building Retreats at Coolfont and Rocky Gap.
Location: UMBC Commons, Room 331 (changed from 327 (Friday)), Room 329 (Saturday). Time: 9:00 AM Sharp – 5:00 PM on both Friday and Saturday
All interested participants must follow the guidelines for the application: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/
Application period: Monday, February 21, 2011 – Friday, March 4, 2011.
Filed under: Dissertation House
]]>
Full Title: Pre-Spring Break Dissertation House: Friday, March 11 – Saturday, March 12, 2011 UMBC will host a 2 day “Pre-Spring Break Dissertation House” on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March...
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dissertation-house
Grad Student & Postdoc Development
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PROMISE @ UMBC: Support for Graduate Students
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Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:52:10 -0500
Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:52:10 -0500
PROMISE Spring Opening Dinner Meeting: “Getting to...
Full Title: PROMISE Spring Opening Dinner Meeting: “Getting to Level 10″ — Friday, 2/18/11PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP is dedicated to increasing the numbers and diversity of Ph.D.s in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields. PROMISE also provides a strong support system for underrepresented students of all fields, and for all graduate students. This UMBC Spring Opening Meeting will be combined with the meeting for the Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program [...]
]]>
Full Title: PROMISE Spring Opening Dinner Meeting: “Getting to Level 10″ — Friday, 2/18/11PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP is dedicated to increasing the numbers and diversity of Ph.D.s in Science,...
http://promisesuccessseminars.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/promise-spring-opening-dinner-meeting-getting-to-level-10-friday-21811/
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Grad Student & Postdoc Development
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PROMISE @ UMBC: Support for Graduate Students
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Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:28:25 -0500
Real People Profiles: Collin Wojciechowski
I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.
Name: Collin Wojciechowski
Hometown: Pasadena, Maryland
Q: How long have you been at UMBC?
A: This is my fourth semester atop this hill in Catonsville.
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: Director, Office of Government and Community Affairs (SGA)
Opinion Editor, The Retriever Weekly
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: I lobby for student issues in Annapolis and ramble about liberal things.
Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?
A: Fighting for the underdog. Students can sometimes be overlooked in the legislative process and I enjoy doing my best to put them at the forefront.
Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?
A: Education is the building block of any just society and we would be nothing without it. The candidate for state office that I worked for this fall taught me that. Smart guy, should have won. So I guess the other important thing I learned while here is, politics means unpredictability and sometime disappointment but you never stop fighting.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"
A: Arrested Development. If your not watching it, we may have difficulty being friends.
Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?
A: If you are coming back to campus on 695 West at sunset, just as you merge with the traffic coming from 95, if you look to the left you can see the top of the library lit up, calling you home. Don't take your eyes off the road though. Distracted driving. Not good.
Last semester Towson University launched a new free speech space called Freedom Square. As is described in this post on the American Democracy Project blog, the space features chalkboards, electrical outlets, seats and a “public forum area.” Each week a question is posted on the chalkboards, and students can write their responses. The first question posted was, “Why is Free Speech important to you?” The site is also a venue for campus events relating to its mission of promoting free expression, critical thinking and debate.
I’ve thought for a while that UMBC would benefit from such a space, and I’ve been involved in several conversations in the past in which participants imagined where it could be located and what it might contain. The discussions on MyUMBC provide a valuable outlet for people’s opinions, but I’d love to see a dynamic physical representation of our campus commitment to civic engagement and the free exchange of ideas.
The one thing about the Towson’s approach I find slightly off-putting is the posting of those weekly questions. I love the idea of promoting debate, but there’s something about the fact that the questions aren’t attached to a person—they’re sort of disembodied, coming from nowhere—that leaves me a little cold. Their appearance hints at a hidden authority controlling things, setting the terms. I’d like to think we could com e up with a way to establish a free, non-virtual, creative forum for individual expression and community discussions without incorporating the disembodied voice.
]]>
Last semester Towson University launched a new free speech space called Freedom Square. As is described in this post on the American Democracy Project blog, the space features chalkboards,...
http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/02/towsons-freedom-square.html
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campus-culture
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social-networks
Co-Create UMBC
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Co-Create UMBC
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Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:43:00 -0500
