Annual Sustainability Survey

UMBC's Office of Sustainability (OoS) is administering their annual sustainability survey and needs your help!

The OoS sends this survey every year to assess the university community's sustainability knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, trends and practices. This is your opportunity to comment on our performance, identify weaknesses and priorities, and sign-up for future news from the sustainability office, including opportunities to participate in this year's Climate Action Plan update.

This survey is entirely voluntary, and should take about 10 minutes to complete. It will be open until the end of September, but act now! You have the right to skip any question you do not wish to answer, but we hope you will give all of the questions your full consideration. It is critical that our survey represents the views and experiences of our shared community of students, faculty, and staff. Even if you have not engaged with sustainability in the past, we encourage your participation; this is your chance to have your voice heard!

If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact UMBC's Office of Sustainability directly at sustainability@umbc.edu.

Looking to engage more with sustainability on campus? Attend our Sustainability Office Hours held every other Monday (starting September 16) from 12:00-1:00 in MP105 and follow Sustainability Matters on myUMBC!

Attend the annual USM Learning & Talent Development Committee Virtual Conference!

Fall into Success: Unleashing Potential, Power, and Progress
Monday, September 23 - Friday, September 27

https://www.usmd.edu/learning-and-talent/PDWeek2024

This year, the annual conference consists of a dynamic blend of on-demand workshops and live sessions led by experts from Guidance Resources. The experience is tailored to fit your schedule, learning style, and professional aspirations.

Sessions include:

Kick-Off with the USM Learning & Talent Development Committee
Keynote with two campus Presidents
Virtual Workshops on a variety of topics
Curated selection of on-demand workshops

Workshop topics include:

Approachable AI
Bringing Out the Best in Others
Using Reason to Resolve Conflict
Combatting Imposter Syndrome
Defining Purpose for a Work-Life Balance
Secrets to Self-Motivation
Civility in the Workplace
Becoming a Better Listener
Upgrade Your Work with These Overlooked Apps
Overcoming Your Distorted Negative Thinking
Being Adaptive in an Ever-Changing World
Responding to Behavior That Makes You Feel Uncomfortable

Check out the website or flyer to see the full schedule of events.

Don't forget to follow Training on myUMBC for UMBC training opportunities!

All provided by So What Else, a local food recovery program and amazing partner to us.

Correction: TODAY, Thursday, August 22nd, is the Free Farmers Market!

It will take place at the Apartment Community Center, located at the pin on the map below.

See you today at 2pm! If you would like to volunteer, please arrive at 1:30pm.

The Apartment Community Center is located up the hill behind the library, near the apartments.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

This is just a reminder to please register now for this year’s Fall Opening Meeting, on Thursday, August 22 in the Retriever Activities Center. This is a wonderful chance for faculty and staff to reunite, learn about upcoming campus initiatives, and hear from new students about their journeys to UMBC. Please RSVP today.

We also hope to see you at the 2024 Convocation ceremony, which will be held Tuesday, August 27 at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena at 3:30 p.m. We look forward to welcoming our incoming students and introducing them to UMBC’s traditions. We hope you will march in the procession, where some of our new students will see academic regalia for the first time. Although the deadline for ordering regalia has passed, you may wear your own.

Those registered for Convocation may also join us for a Welcome Reception for Provost Manfred H. M. van Dulmen, hosted by President Sheares Ashby at 2:30 p.m. in the arena just before the ceremony. Those planning to march in the procession should arrive no later than 3 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 3:30 p.m.

We look forward to your participation in these community traditions!

The UMBC Events Team

**ONLY OPEN FOR FEDERAL WORK STUDY ELIGIBLE STUDENTS**

Please see below some Wellness webinars from the State, with ways to reduce your stress and anxiety to make the most of this summer. Register now to secure your spot!

Mindful Mondays:

Monday, August 19, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: The Power of Resilience

Resilience is the power to "bounce back" from stress and negative experiences. Learn the power of resilience and gain the ability to achieve balance, confidence, and personal strength when faced with adversity.

Monday, August 26, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: The Power of Talk Therapy

Talk therapy can help you gain an understanding of your emotions in order to identify obstacles that get in the way of better emotional health. Learn more about how talk therapy can benefit you, how to find a therapist, and the resources available to you.

Tuesdays: Wellness From the Kitchen with Chef Sandra Lewis

Tuesday, August 13, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Grilled Whole Fish

Don't filet your fish - grill it whole! Whether you catch your own fish or buy it, this simple preparation adds a Mediterranean flavor that is as delicious as it looks.

Tuesday, August 20, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Grilled shrimp and tacos are a match made in heaven due to this fun recipe that comes together in a snap on the grill. It's paired with a delicious Chipotle Lime Crema sauce. This may be your new Tuesday Taco Night dish!
Register for 8/20 Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Healthy U Wednesdays:

Wednesday, August 14, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Decoding Health Myths

In this important session, scientific experts will debunk popular health myths and misconceptions about sleep, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psoriasis, pain, and additional family health topics.

Wednesday, August 21, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Building Positive Relationships and the Impact on Your Health

The quality of your relationships impact your physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health. A panel of experts will discuss how to maintain healthy relationships, teach you how to be an active listener, and identify the benefits of mentorship.

Wednesday, August 28, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Managing Stress for Positive Change

Change is an inevitable part of life, but this doesn’t mean that dealing with change is easy. Finding ways to accept and cope with the fear of change and uncertainty can make these transitions smoother and less troubling. Learn how to handle stressors for positive outcomes.

Thursday Health Focus: Summer Fun and Safety

Thursday, August 15, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Healthy Eating for the Whole Family

Are you trying to eat healthier but experiencing resistance to getting your whole family on board? Or perhaps busy schedules and budget constraints impede your efforts. Amy, our dedicated Registered Dietitian, is aware of the challenges that families face. Join her in this session as she shares healthy eating strategies and tips for the whole family.

Thursday, August 22, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Teen Talk - Building A Healthy Relationship With Your Teen

Raising a healthy, happy, and safe teen can be challenging. Learn from professionals on how to recognize teen issues early, review safe social media practices, identify teen sleep issues and more in this timely presentation.

Thursday, August 29, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Healthy Boundaries

Setting boundaries with others can be a difficult task, especially when it involves those close to you. However, physical, financial, and emotional boundaries are necessary for healthy relationships. Allow this webinar to guide you as experts share how to set and maintain healthy boundaries while remaining reasonable and kind to others.

Unwind Time Fridays: Summer Meditations!

Friday, August 16, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Giving Gladness to Your Mind

With your thoughts still on summer and perhaps turning to Fall, take time in this meditation to give gladness to your mind for its ability to consider past, present, and future.
Register for 8/16 Giving Gladness to Your Mind Guided Meditation

Friday, August 23, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Focus on Positive Moments

Do you reminisce about past good times and looking forward to future fun? If so, it's very natural to do so. Add an additional focus on each day's positive moments in this guided meditation.

Friday, August 30, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Bring in the Positive!

When you bring in the positive, you reduce stress and anger and improve happiness and overall life satisfaction. Research has shown that you can even improve your confidence! This guided meditation will teach you how to bring in the positive.

Nurse Kathleen: Weekend Wellness and Healthier by the Minute

Friday, August 16, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Healthy by the Minute: Healthier Sleep for You and Your Family

The healthy habits and environmental factors that can be adjusted for good sleep are an important part of overall health for the whole family. Join Nurse Kathleen to learn more so that the whole family will sleep like babies!

Friday, August 23, 11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Weekend Wellness - Back To School Tips and Tricks

It's almost back to school time! From packing lunches to reducing family stress, join Nurse Kathleen to learn tips and tricks for preparing your kids to return to the classroom.

Friday, August 30, 11:30 am - 11:45 am: Healthier by the Minute - Screen Time and Brain Health