LAST CHANCE to take the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey!

Dear Students,

Thank you so much to those who have already taken the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. Your responses are invaluable to creating a community of inclusive excellence at UMBC. If you have not yet participated in taking the climate survey, and you still want to, please do so now.

The online survey will only be available until Thursday, April 30, 2026. As a reminder, the survey is confidential, and your responses will be completely anonymous. The survey will take approximately 15-25 minutes to complete. You can access the survey here.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct, and may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears before and after the survey and is available on the ECR website.

All participants in the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100 UMBC Bookstore gift cards. At the end of the survey, you will be directed to a separate link, where you can enter your name and contact information to be eligible for the prizes.

If you have questions about the purpose or content of the survey, please contact the Office of Equity and Civil Rights at ecr@umbc.edu or 410-455-1717.

Sincerely,

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

]]> Dear Students, Thank you so much to those who have already taken the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. Your responses are invaluable to creating a community of inclusive excellence... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/159385/guest@my.umbc.edu/a14bf20bfdb93fb3d55fdc79a200d497/api/pixel Announcements - Graduate Students https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-graduates https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/original.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/large.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/medium.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/small.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxsmall.png?1691516913 Announcements - Graduate Students 0 0 false Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400 Take the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey for a Chance to Win a $100 Gift Card!

Dear Students,

One week ago, I invited you to participate in the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey to share your experiences and perspectives on sexual and relationship violence at UMBC. By taking the survey, you play a major role in helping to shape our campus culture at UMBC. If you have not yet completed the survey, we ask that you please take a few minutes to do so now.

The online survey will only be available until Thursday, April 30, 2026. The survey is confidential and your responses will be anonymous. The survey takes about 15 to 25 minutes to complete.

You can access the survey here.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct, and may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears before and after the survey and is available on the ECR website.

All participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100 UMBC Bookstore gift cards. At the end of the survey, you will be directed to a separate link, where you can enter your name and contact information to be eligible to win.

Each student at UMBC can play a role in shaping our campus culture, and this is one important way you can help.

If you have questions about the purpose or content of the survey, please contact the Office of Equity and Civil Rights at ecr@umbc.edu or 410-455-1717.

Thank you! 

Sincerely,

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

]]> Dear Students, One week ago, I invited you to participate in the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey to share your experiences and perspectives on sexual and relationship violence at... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/159215/guest@my.umbc.edu/7487393c782c317d5aded9d3122e7cd5/api/pixel Announcements - Graduate Students https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-graduates https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/original.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/large.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/medium.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/small.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxsmall.png?1691516913 Announcements - Graduate Students 0 0 false Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400 UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey Now Open Complete the survey for a chance to win $100

Dear Students,

I am reaching out today to invite you to take the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. Students who complete the survey will have a chance to receive a $100 UMBC Bookstore gift card. You can access the online survey here. The survey is anonymous and will be open from Wednesday, April 15 until Thursday, April 30. 

This survey is intended to gather information about sexual and gender-based violence on campus, your knowledge of related policies and resources, and your opinion about how helpful and supportive these resources are. The survey takes 15 to 25 minutes to complete. Your participation is voluntary. You may choose to skip questions or stop responding at any point.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct and may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears after the survey and is available now on the ECR website. 

By taking the survey, you play a major role in helping UMBC tailor its sexual violence prevention efforts and to improve campus response. The Office of Equity and Civil Rights will be reviewing the results of this survey and sharing what we learn with the campus community. We will incorporate your feedback to shape our policies and practices to promote a safer, healthier, and more welcoming campus.

All students who participate in the 2026 Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey will be eligible to enter a randomized drawing for one of five $100 UMBC Bookstore gift cards. After completing the Campus Climate Survey, you will be prompted to enter your name and contact information in a separate voluntary incentive form in order to be entered into the drawing.

Nothing you report in the survey will be linked to your personal information. Your answers are confidential and will only be reported in terms of groups of students rather than as individuals. Your answers to the Campus Climate Survey are not linked in any way to the incentive drawing survey. You are not required to answer a certain number of questions or report specific experiences to be eligible to participate in the incentive survey. 

If you have questions about the purpose or content of the survey, please contact the Office of Equity and Civil Rights at ecr@umbc.edu or 410-455-1717.

Thank you in advance for your participation! 

Sincerely,

Tanyka M. Barber
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer

 

]]> Dear Students, I am reaching out today to invite you to take the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. Students who complete the survey will have a chance to receive a $100 UMBC... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/158803/guest@my.umbc.edu/bb5c3cd13187a1dd5f4280f117fab3dc/api/pixel Announcements - Graduate Students https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-graduates https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/original.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/large.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/medium.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/small.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxsmall.png?1691516913 Announcements - Graduate Students 0 0 false Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:41:44 -0400 A Message of Support for Graduate Students Resources and information

Dear Graduate Students, 

As interim vice provost and dean of the graduate school, I want to acknowledge the anxiety, uncertainty, and perhaps confusion that many of you may be feeling in light of numerous federal executive orders and actions related to higher education. I am particularly aware of concern  throughout the sector about both short- and long-term impacts on higher education’s ability to pursue its educational and research missions. 

Today, I write to acknowledge your concerns and express my support, and also to highlight some information and resources available to you. You likely have seen numerous messages to the community related to the changes coming out of Washington, but it’s worth referencing a few that are especially relevant to our graduate student community. 

Most recently, Karl V. Steiner, our vice president for research and creative achievement, sent a campus message regarding UMBC’s response to a stop-work order received from a federal agency. That message includes helpful information, as well as links to further resources, about how the university is responding to such orders. Importantly, in this case, the university’s position is that the research in question should continue at UMBC. 

Tanyka M. Barber, UMBC’s vice president for institutional equity and chief diversity officer, communicated to campus recently as well, responding to the most recent of many efforts by the federal government to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts—the latest being a “Dear Colleague Letter” from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Vice President Barber’s message was clear that the Dear Colleague Letter does not carry the force of law and that UMBC continues to abide by existing law. The Department of Education has since shared additional guidance.

I would also point you to the message earlier in February from David Di Maria, senior international officer and associate vice provost for international education, which provided resources for international students and shared a link to a new website that the Center for Global Engagement has created to provide the latest updates on immigration policies, including those related to visa renewals. 

The pace of news is so rapid that it can be overwhelming just to stay informed. I hope you will bookmark and visit often the university’s central hub for updates and information regarding federal orders and actions. All related campus messaging, as well as a helpful collection of internal and external resources, can be found there. 

Should you have specific questions or concerns related to your work or experience as a graduate student at UMBC, please be in touch with your principal investigators and department chairs, and please continue to avail yourself of the support of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and of my office. The core team that is meeting frequently to consider the many issues and potential impacts of the activity in Washington is consulting with us and keeping us informed of its work. 

To all of our graduate students:  We are honored to have you as part of our community. You belong here; you are woven into the fabric of our research, creative activities, the pursuit of knowledge, and the academic life of this community. You and your contributions to our mission are deeply valued, and we will continue to do all in our power to support you and your work. 

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Halverson
Interim Vice Provost and Dean, The Graduate School
Professor, Geography and Environmental Science


 ]]> Dear Graduate Students,  As interim vice provost and dean of the graduate school, I want to acknowledge the anxiety, uncertainty, and perhaps confusion that many of you may be feeling in light of... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147877/guest@my.umbc.edu/c72639c7bde86dd93b7684d4a435c97c/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Graduate Students https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-graduates https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/original.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/large.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/medium.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/small.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxsmall.png?1691516913 Announcements - Graduate Students 8 0 false Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:37:20 -0500 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/147097/guest@my.umbc.edu/3c1acc2371bf40e2bb28749def0812e5/api/pixel Announcements - Graduate Students https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-graduates https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/original.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xlarge.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/large.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/medium.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/small.png?1691516913 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xsmall.png?1691516913 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/090/63872132321e354b3cf4125670d67395/xxsmall.png?1691516913 Announcements - Graduate Students 1 0 false Wed, 05 Feb 2025 16:32:32 -0500 Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:44:37 -0500