Updates on Impact of Executive Orders and Federal Actions and Promotion and Tenure Reviews
Dear Colleagues,

We write today to share some updates related to the impact of executive orders and federal actions, as well as some modifications of protocols surrounding promotion and tenure reviews.

Since the start of the spring 2025 semester, faculty members across the university may have experienced disruption to their research, teaching, and service activities due to some of the recent White House Executive Orders and federal actions. Faculty research could be impacted in various ways: stop-work orders to federal grants; inability to access datasets or databases housed in or sponsored by federal agencies; or challenges in travel to present their work at national or international conferences supported by federal funds. 

Also, there may have been potential impacts on the faculty’s ability to hire students and staff to support their research using federal support. In other instances, faculty members’ community-engaged scholarship, teaching, and service may have been severely impacted due to programs being curtailed in both the public and private sectors and due to lack of resources to conduct the work. Faculty whose scholarship and teaching could be categorized as diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) may have to spend considerable time navigating the current political climate in the process of conducting and publishing their work.
 
Provost's modifications of tenure track faculty and librarian faculty promotion protocols: AY 2025 – 2026 Cycle
To address the potential impact of recent executive orders and federal actions related to research funding, curtailment or termination of DEIA initiatives, and related topics on faculty’s research, teaching, and service, the following protocol will be put in place beginning in academic year 2025 – 2026 faculty promotion and tenure (P&T) reviews. These modifications will be communicated to each level of P&T review through the provost’s annual P&T instructions, through the deans’ instructions for the development of letters to external reviewers, through the provost’s charge to the University Faculty Review Committee, and in deliberations made by department promotion and tenure committees.
 
1. If there have been any impacts on their research, teaching and/or service as a result of the executive orders and federal actions, candidates for P&T review are encouraged to reflect on such impacts in their self-assessment.
 
If the candidate mentions impacts in their self-evaluation: 
 
2. Every level of review, including outside reviewers, must consider the described impact of such executive orders and federal actions on the usual progression of our faculty towards promotion and tenure when evaluating both the work performed during this period of disruption and their potential as a scholar after promotion and/or tenure when performing on- and off-campus activities.
 
3. Each level of review must include a Statement of Affirmation that their review, and all previous levels of review, has taken into full consideration the impact of executive orders and federal actions beginning in 2025 on the candidate’s progression. 
 
[I] affirm that [my] review took into full consideration any impacts of current executive orders and federal actions on [X’s] candidacy.
 
If it is determined that any prior level of review has failed to do so in a way that may have resulted in negative consequences for the candidate, the current level of review shall inform the provost in their own report.
 
4. All letters providing guidance to external reviewers must include the following statement regarding the impact of executive orders and federal actions on P&T recommendations. 
 
When considering your recommendation regarding this P&T decision, please make sure to consider any potential effects described by the candidate associated with recent federal executive orders and federal actions impacting research, teaching, and service. This impact might include, but it is not limited to, the termination of federal support or faculty’s inability to present at conferences outside the United States. 

This statement recognizes the impact that current executive orders and federal actions might have on the research, teaching, and service of faculty going up for promotion and tenure.
 
This policy applies to the academic year 2025 – 2026 review cycle. The Office of the Provost will provide additional guidance for any promotion and tenure modifications in subsequent cycles as the impact of the executive orders and federal actions evolve. 

Sincerely,

Manfred H. M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Ana Oskoz
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
]]> Dear Colleagues, We write today to share some updates related to the impact of executive orders and federal actions, as well as some modifications of protocols surrounding promotion and tenure... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/149807/guest@my.umbc.edu/07a6b969c4a24f4890d7900d98f4c203/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Faculty https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/original.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/large.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/medium.png?1691516856 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/small.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxsmall.png?1691516856 Announcements - Faculty 1 0 false Mon, 05 May 2025 14:22:01 -0400 Mon, 05 May 2025 14:24:38 -0400 Impact of Executive Orders on Research and Creative Achievement Activities Additional resources for faculty and graduate students
Dear Colleagues, 

Like many of you, we have been following the rapid developments coming out of the new administration over the past couple of weeks. A number of federal agencies are continuing to update their policies and solicitations in response to recent White House executive orders. Several of you have shared questions about potential impact on your Research and Creative Achievement (RCA) activities.

We recognize that many of our UMBC colleagues and investigators are concerned and are looking for guidance. At this time, we are still assessing the impact on our funded programs and what steps we may need to take to follow these directives.

We are in close contact with other institutions in USM, as well as with national organizations to determine the best course of action to respond to the executive orders and the directives by the federal agencies. 

As an institution, we are closely monitoring the executive orders and agency directives and are working on understanding the potential impact on our RCA community. We will navigate these challenges together and will provide more information as it becomes available. Here is some guidance we can provide you at this time:

Pre-submission and pre-award:

  • Our Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) will continue to submit proposals as submission systems at federal agencies are operational. 
  • As proposal deadlines approach, please check program websites and solicitations for any updates on due dates or requirements to ensure that your proposal is compliant.
  • Sponsor proposal review timelines may be extended. Please continue to review specific sponsor guidelines regularly to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. 
  • Consider signing up for alerts from the agencies you apply to. 

Existing awards:

  • Please continue with business as usual. The terms and conditions of your active grant remain enforceable for the current funding period as long as the award is in good standing. This includes the ability to invoice and receive reimbursement. If there is a change to your award, OSP will notify the unit business office and principal investigator. Agencies are required to notify us if there will be changes to your funding once the contract is in place.
  • Try to remain in contact with your program officers but be aware that some of them may have a pause on communications.
  • Monitor policy updates from the federal agency overseeing your grant for any updates on funding or compliance requirements. See also the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) resource page linked below.
  • If PIs or RAs receive any award modifications or other notices, please forward them to the OSP as soon as possible (cc your unit business office), so that these can be reviewed and processed quickly.
  • Notify OSP (and cc your unit business office) if you receive a "Stop Work" notice from a federal sponsor for an award. A stop work order typically means that all project work needs to stop immediately and no expenses can be incurred on the project as of the effective date of the stop work notice. In this case, principal investigators should work with their unit business office (department administrator), who will work with the post-award support staff and your unit’s OSP manager to determine the appropriate next steps.
  • Closely monitor obligated budget balances to avoid deficits while awaiting future obligations. Anticipated future funding remains subject to availability of funds and should not be considered guaranteed.
  • Make sure to meet existing deadlines for technical reports or other deliverables.
  • If you have questions about your awards, please contact your unit business office, who should be in contact with your unit’s assigned OSP grants and contracts manager.

COGR resource page on executive orders and agency directives

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) has developed the 2025 Administration Transition Information and Resources webpage that compiles recent executive orders, agency directives, and other information that is relevant to upcoming and current federal contracts and grants.

Sincerely,

Karl V. Steiner
Vice President for Research and Creative Achievement

]]> Dear Colleagues,  Like many of you, we have been following the rapid developments coming out of the new administration over the past couple of weeks. A number of federal agencies are... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147094/guest@my.umbc.edu/8b479bc0feaac8342ebce0381d7134dd/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Faculty https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/original.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/large.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/medium.png?1691516856 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/small.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxsmall.png?1691516856 Announcements - Faculty 7 0 false Wed, 05 Feb 2025 16:26:51 -0500 Resources for the Beginning of the Semester

Dear colleagues,

I hope the beginning of this new semester finds you well and rejuvenated. The energy on campus has been palpable the past few days as our academic community reunites. While this semester brings familiar excitement, I know many of you have expressed concerns about potential changes to federal policies and their implications for our work.

Rest assured that the university is committed to supporting you through any potential impacts they may bring. While these proposed changes face significant legal challenges, we understand their potential impact on your research and teaching. We continue to evaluate all the information as it develops and are putting together a robust university strategy that will help us navigate and respond to these changes together. We will share specific details as the situation clarifies. Most importantly, we are committed to supporting our faculty, staff, and students and maintaining the integrity of our academic enterprise.

At UMBC, our mission remains the same. We will continue our pursuit of inclusive excellence and the advancement of research, teaching, and learning. I encourage you to maintain your curriculum, research, and pedagogical philosophies and avoid making any preemptive changes. Your dedication to these principles is the bedrock of our academic community and the mission of higher education, and the Office of the Provost stands ready to assist you in maintaining our shared commitments. We will continue to communicate as policy changes arise. 

To support your work this semester, I want to highlight several key resources. I shared most of these resources last semester, as well, but want to make sure you have them available as the semester starts. As a faculty member, I always found it useful to have this information in one place as the semester started. If there is other information you think would be helpful please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at provost@umbc.edu.

Supporting Students and Managing Classroom Behavior

I want to make sure you are aware of UMBC’s faculty and staff disruptive student behavior guide, which also pertains to managing your classroom. John Fox is serving as the inaugural Dean of Students in the Division of Student Affairs, and ensuring all students can thrive without disruption is a key responsibility of the Dean of Students Office. Supporting all students is key in all the work you do as faculty and the university has a number of resources available including the Academic Success Center, the Office of Student Disability Services, Retriever Integrated Health, Retriever CARE, Retriever Essentials and Connections, and the Office of Equity and Civil Rights. Please make sure students are aware of this information. International students in your courses may face unique challenges, particularly during their first semester, and I encourage you to direct them to the dedicated resources and services offered by the Center for Global Engagement. I also encourage you to regularly check in with your students to see how they are doing and ensure you guide them to resources on campus.  

International Students and Global Opportunities

The Office of International Students and Scholars reminds faculty that F-1 and J-1 visa holders must follow specific enrollment requirements including full-time status, limited online courses, and work loop authorization restrictions. Please direct international students to the dedicated resources and services offered by the Center for Global Engagement for support with these requirements.

The Global Opportunities Fair will be held on February 5, 2025 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. on The Commons Main Street, showcasing study abroad programs and international opportunities. Summer 2025 faculty-led study abroad program applications are due February 14.

Additionally, students, faculty, and staff can pursue Fulbright opportunities. UMBC has been named a top producer of Fulbright awards for three of the past five years. Faculty interested in the 2026-27 Fulbright Scholar Program can apply starting mid-February 2025, with applications due September 15, 2025. For more information about Fulbright opportunities, contact Dr. Brian Souders, UMBC's Fulbright Program Advisor, at fulbright@umbc.edu.

UMBC Policies and Procedures

A comprehensive list of USM and UMBC policies and guidelines is available at UMBC Policies, and resources for faculty regarding academic integrity are available at Academic Integrity Resources for Faculty.

Campus Closures

Please be sure to sign up for text alerts so you are aware of campus emergencies and weather-related campus closures.

I recognize the challenges and uncertainties we face, but I'm continually inspired by your dedication to our students and your world-class research. Please reach out with any questions or concerns at provost@umbc.edu. I look forward to working together with all of you to not only maintain but innovate on our vital shared mission and commitment to excellence this semester.

Best,

Manfred

Manfred H. M. van Dulmen

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

]]> Dear colleagues, I hope the beginning of this new semester finds you well and rejuvenated. The energy on campus has been palpable the past few days as our academic community reunites. While this... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/146930/guest@my.umbc.edu/8966012e2a859165791bbb899c43f8f7/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Faculty https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/original.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/large.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/medium.png?1691516856 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/small.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxsmall.png?1691516856 Announcements - Faculty 3 0 false Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:24:53 -0500 Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:43:52 -0500