On September 9, 2021, members of the UMBC community gathered to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks by learning from panelists who were here at the time how people at UMBC responded to and were impacted by these events. Panelists included Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, Dr. Diane Lee,Tom Moore, Brett McKenzie, ‘04, and Karim Said, ‘04, ‘07, ‘13. The Center for Democracy and Civic Life hosted the program in collaboration with Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion, and Belonging (i3b), Off-Campus Student Services, and the Wisdom Institute.

If you would like to view the program, the recording is available here.

September is Sexual Health Awareness month! Sexual health is about more than sex- it’s being able to recognize and maintain healthy relationships, understanding your body, exploring your sexuality, promoting healthy sexual behaviors, and preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy. There is a lot that falls under the comprehensive sexual health umbrella. 

Here are a few tools to help you learn more about your sexual health:

The first step to any sexual activity is always to obtain Consent with a sexual partner(s)

• Consenting to and obtaining consent for sexual activity is a requirement of engaging in sexual activity

• You must ask someone if they want to have sex or be touched (kissing, hugging, etc.)

• If someone says “no,” then you must stop immediately. Remember, the absence of “no” does not mean “yes”.

Once you have consented/receive consent, you must now protect your self and your partner(s).  Contraceptives work exceptionally well to prevent STIs and/or pregnancy, when used correctly.

• If you choose to engage in sexual activity, use condoms (external or internal) or dental dams (for oral sex) every time. 

• Abstinence is the only 100% contraceptive method that can prevent pregnancy and STI transmission. 

• Birth control prevents pregnancy but does not prevent STIs - condoms and birth control work together.

• Retriever Integrated Health (formerly UHS and the Counseling Center) has condoms (internal and external), lubricant, and dental dams available for all students free of cost.

If you are sexually active, it is CRITICAL to know your status and your partners.

• Get tested regularly for STIs. Find free (and confidential) testing sites here. 

• If you ever experience itching, burning, bleeding (outside of menstruating), or discolored discharge in your genital area, then see your health provider immediately.

Sexual health also includes having open conversations with your friends and partners about healthy relationships and behaviors. 

• Know the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.

• Practice healthy communication skills with everyone in your life - romantic and platonic.

Remember, it is your responsibility to protect yourself and your sexual partner(s) from STIs. This month (and beyond), challenge yourself to have open conversations with your friends and sexual partner(s) about all things sexual health. Remember, sexual health is about more than just sex!

If you would like additional information, check out the resources listed below:

• Understanding Contraceptives - https://www.bedsider.org/

• Learning more about Sexually Transmitted Infections -https://www.cdc.gov/std

• UMBC Pride Center - https://i3b.umbc.edu/spaces/the-pride-center/

• LGBTQIA+ Health https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/index.htm

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has partnered with 3rd Millennium, whose mission is to help students address critical life skills such as alcohol abuse prevention, drug abuse prevention, relationship violence prevention and sexual assault prevention, in high schools and higher education institutions across the country.

As part of our comprehensive prevention program for new incoming first year and/or transfer undergraduate and graduate students, UMBC requires that new, undergraduate students complete Alcohol-Wise and Other Drugs and new, graduate students complete Other Drugs. These online courses will empower you to make healthy, well-informed decisions about issues that affect your college years and beyond.

Important: For each of the courses: 

• Part 1 is due August 13, 2021 and
• Part 2 is due October 22, 2021 [Alcohol-Wise ONLY]

All courses open July 2, 2021.

Alcohol-Wise For College 

1. Always sign in at: https://my.umbc.edu/go/alcoholwise
2. You will be directed to the myUMBC login page. Sign in with your UMBC username and password, and you will then be taken directly to the registration page for the Alcohol-Wise course.

Passing Exam Score: 75%

Other Drugs

1. Always sign in at: https://my.umbc.edu/go/otherdrugsprevention
2. You will be directed to the myUMBC login page. Sign in with your UMBC username and password, and you will then be taken directly to the registration page for the Other Drugs course.

Other Important Information:

• You will need Internet access and audio capabilities.
• To avoid technical issues, please use any major web browser released within the previous two years.
• You may take the course(s) in multiple sittings.
• The courses may include surveys to help personalize your experience and measure students’ attitudes and behaviors.
• Should you experience any technical issues, including issues with course login, 3rd Millennium has technical support and can be accessed by emailing help@3rdmil.com or clicking on the “Help” link within the courses.
• Should you experience login problems related to myUMBC, contact the DoIT Help Desk by visiting https://my.umbc.edu/go/request-help or call 410-455-3838.
• If you have any additional questions or concerns about these courses, please email uhs@umbc.edu.
• Upon completion of this course, you DO NOT need to send a copy of your completion certificate to University Health Services.

Thank you, and welcome to UMBC!