Good morning,

Governor Hogan renewed the State of Emergency on December 23, 2020. You can read the Proclamation here.

Economic Impact Payments: Legislation enacted on December 27, 2020, provides that the new stimulus payments to individuals will not be withheld to pay federal debts or to pay state child support enforcement orders and cannot be garnished by debt collectors.

Health Insurance Open Enrollment: Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Hogan announced Monday that the state’s special health insurance enrollment period will be reopened in January and extended through mid-March 2021. Eligible residents who did not participate in the state’s extended special enrollment period in 2020 may now opt-in to Medicaid or private health coverage plans through the Maryland Health Connection.

To enroll in health insurance through the marketplace:

1)     Go online to MarylandHealthConnection.gov

2)     Call 1-855-642-8572 to speak to someone who will walk you through this process.

Student Loans: The automatic suspension of principal and interest payments on federally held student loans has been extended and will expire on January 31, 2021.

Lifeline: Lifeline is a federal program that provides discounts for limited income consumers on their telephone and internet services.  In Maryland the program is called Tel‐Life.  See the attachment to learn more about Lifeline services and how to apply. As the program phases out monthly support for voice only in favor of broadband support, beginning December 1, 2020 Lifeline has lowered the voice-only support to $5.25.

Training: If you would like the Office of People's Counsel to provide free training to your organization on the current state of utilities, in depth look at OHEP applications, or little known utility consumer protections please feel free to reach out to me and we can discuss your agency needs.   

Tuesday, January 19 · 3 - 4:15 PM

• Engage up to 20 undergraduate students in a leadership learning cohort;
• Enhance participants' leader identity and leadership capacity;
• And increase participants awareness of personal abilities and identity development through authenticity, self-reflection, the role they play in developing relationships, and capitalizing on difference

Based on the belief that leadership is learned through experience, education, and reflection-- MLE will focus on leadership development through a multicultural lens, create a dynamic virtual learning environment, and invite UMBC students to learn with and from UMBC faculty, staff, and alumni. Registration is due Monday, February 1st, 2021 at 11:59pm. To register, visit: tinyurl.com/mle2021

• Thursday, February 11th, 3pm - 4:30pm
• Thursday, February 25th, 3pm - 4:30pm
• Thursday, April 1st, 3pm - 4:30pm
• Thursday, May 6th, 3pm - 5pm

For questions, contact i3b@umbc.edu or the planning committee co-chairs:

Beatriz Gutiérrez-Malagón, bgutierrez@umbc.edu

Erin Waddles, waddles@umbc.edu

If you're not familiar with WebEx, or want to make sure you're all up to date, visit this link for more information.

If you have questions or concerns about access to reliable technology, please email welcomeweek@umbc.edu with some details and we will connect you with folks who can assist!

The student dining advisory team meets three times a semester with dining services managers. The work of this advisory team focuses on providing a high-quality dining experience for UMBC students. During team meetings, students will provide feedback and input on important dining issues such as: 

-special events 

-menus

-marketing

-food quality, and more!

If you are interested in being a member of this team please complete the application below and return it to Kim Leisey, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, leisey@umbc.edu

Applicants, Please be aware that MEMBERS MUST ATTEND TWO OF THE FOUR MEETINGS LISTED ABOVE.

Applicant’s name:

E-mail:

Mobile Phone number:

Do you hope to live on campus this Spring, 2021? YES NO

Why are you interested in this team and what do you hope to contribute?

Do you personally have any specific dining needs?

____vegetarian                                 ______ vegan

_____kosher                                      ______ hallal

_____avoiding gluten                        _____other? Please explain:

If you are applying to represent a specific student group please list the student group here:

Please return to Kim Leisey

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs