Update on Our Response to Federal Actions and Orders

Dear UMBC Community,

I write to share an update on the university’s response to federal actions and orders and the work ahead to continue undeterred in advancing our mission and vision and standing up for our institutional values.

This update is not exhaustive in reporting on every piece of work being done by our core team and others involved in our rapid response; but it provides important information in a few key areas that I know are of shared concern. We anticipate providing an update on our federally funded research, education, and training programs and projects in the coming days.

International Student Immigration Status

First, as you may know, UMBC recently discovered that the federal government terminated the F-1 immigration status of four of our international graduate students. We are running daily audits of UMBC’s records in the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and these audits revealed the record terminations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In each instance, we reached out immediately to the students. Neither UMBC nor the students received any prior notification or subsequent explanation from ICE for the terminations. Some of the affected students plan to depart the U.S. immediately, while others have engaged immigration counsel and are exploring their legal options. We are coordinating with the students and with faculty and administrators to explore options for any of these students who must depart the U.S. to complete their coursework and degree programs.

These are extremely concerning developments, and the actions affecting our international students are among hundreds of such actions that have been reported at more than 80 colleges and universities across the country. We continue to closely monitor the SEVIS records of our UMBC community members holding F-1 or J-1 status, and we will continue to provide support and guidance to our international community.

Please visit our information and resources site frequently for the latest updates on our work in response to federal actions and orders. Among other things, it includes information on international travel, updates regarding visa interview waiver eligibility, resources for international students, and guidance related to the potential for federal immigration enforcement action on campus. Please also reach out to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) for additional support. My sincere thanks to the entire team in OISS for their tireless work and dedicated support of our international student and scholar community.

Budget Update

As I noted in a message before spring break, there remains much uncertainty about the scale and scope of impact of a variety of federal actions and orders on our research and, more broadly, on our university operations. While other institutions have seen massive cuts in federal research funding, leading some of them to announce austerity measures, we have not, to date, seen a similar impact. We are proceeding thoughtfully to assess existing and potential impacts and to determine what measures are needed.

One piece of clarity we now have is our funding from the state. With the close of the General Assembly session on Tuesday and its final passage of Maryland’s $67 billion budget, we know that in the coming fiscal year, UMBC will see a 7 percent reduction in its state operations budget. This is more than the 5 percent reduction we had originally expected, but given the uncertainties in recent months at both the state and federal levels, we anticipated that the state’s reduction would grow.

The University System of Maryland has directed its institutions, including UMBC, to prepare a 3-year budget projection incorporating the current cuts and anticipating additional ones, if needed. We will be engaging with members of the community, including shared governance, as we develop this projection, which will be completed by early May. We will be able to share further details about the projection, as well as the budget planning process for FY26, at that time.

Affirming Our Core Values

At UMBC, excellence is our imperative, and we define excellence as inclusive. We seek out and value a wide range of viewpoints and backgrounds and work to ensure that our university community is welcoming and safe to all. We know excellence in the pursuit of knowledge requires a wide range of inputs and perspectives; we know that excellence in teaching means providing safe environments that welcome a range of viewpoints and foster learning across differences; and we know that excellence in community engagement means we must always ask how can we better serve our communities? whose communities have we not engaged?

Time and again, I have heard this community express to me its commitment to inclusive excellence. As we uphold state and federal laws and our own university policies, we will not step back from our commitment to our deeply held values.

In addition to inclusive excellence, academic freedom and free speech remain core values that are imperative to our academic excellence and to the advancement of our public-serving mission. We remain committed to academic freedom across all of our disciplines—in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences and engineering–and will continue to uphold this value that is fundamental to higher education.

In Gratitude

In addition to the thanks I have shared above to the team in OISS, I want to extend gratitude to all in this extraordinary community who are working every day to protect and advance the critical importance of the university and its work and to demonstrate the impact of our work to the wider world.

I am grateful, as well, to the many who have asked, “How can I help?” I appreciate the questions and the ideas that we have seen emerge, sometimes turned into quick action. One example of that is the website of resources for displaced federal workers and the Paws and Pivot webinar series launched to provide practical resources and community for individuals affected by recent federal workforce changes. Thank you to the Alumni Engagement and Career Center teams for their incredible work to stand up these resources in record time.

In the midst of such challenging times that I know weigh heavily on many, this and other stories inspire and encourage us all to carry on with our important work, knowing the meaningful difference it makes to individuals and communities. Thank you, and we will be in touch with you again soon.

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

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Dear UMBC Community, I write to share an update on the university’s response to federal actions and orders and the work ahead to continue undeterred in advancing our mission and vision and...

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Dear UMBC Community,

At UMBC, we seek to create an environment characterized by openness, fairness, and equal access for all students, staff, and faculty. A welcoming and inclusive environment is grounded in mutual respect, nurtured by dialogue, and evidenced by a pattern of civil interaction, and it is one of the foundations of our educational model. Creating and maintaining a community environment that respects individual needs, abilities, and potential is critically important.

To that end, UMBC is undertaking a campus climate assessment survey, led by the Division of Institutional Equity and its vice president, Tanyka Barber. We have engaged Rankin Climate, a firm with more than 22 years of experience in conducting more than 300 campus climate assessment projects.

A committee of faculty, staff, and students, co-chaired by Jasmine Lee, associate vice president for community and culture, and Orianne Smith, associate professor of English, is collaborating with Rankin Climate to develop and implement the assessment.

The findings will be shared with the campus community in the fall, once the data analysis is finalized. This information will help identify areas for growth in the development of new programs and policies, as well as enhance and replicate those that are already effective.

A project website has been developed to keep the community informed about the process and results of the assessment. You will receive an email with an invitation to participate in the survey shortly.

I encourage you to join me in supporting this important initiative.

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

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Dear UMBC Community, At UMBC, we seek to create an environment characterized by openness, fairness, and equal access for all students, staff, and faculty. A welcoming and inclusive environment...

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Dear Campus Community,

I am writing to address ongoing questions and concerns received from students, faculty, and staff regarding international travel.

First, it is important to acknowledge that each traveler’s circumstances are different. As has always been the case, individuals must seek to understand their own circumstances and potential risks prior to traveling.

Second, the information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. If you have specific legal questions about your own immigration status, please seek assistance from a private immigration attorney.

1. Carry and make copies of valid immigration documents

Whether you are traveling to the U.S. or another country, it is imperative that you understand both entry and exit requirements for that country as well as any requirements for conducting your intended activities, such as study or research. Travelers are strongly advised to check with the embassy of the country to which they are traveling, or transiting through, prior to departure.

U.S. immigration law requires nonimmigrants and lawful permanent residents, 18 years of age and over, to carry evidence of their immigration status at all times. This is particularly important to note as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has called on all state and local authorities to assist with enforcement of immigration laws.

2. Expect processing delays when applying for a new visa to return to the U.S.

Due to an increase in the number of visa applicants requiring in-person interviews, the introduction of enhanced vetting and screening as well as an ongoing federal hiring freeze, visa processing may take longer than travelers experienced in the past. Further complicating this matter is the fact that the U.S. Department of State has apparently ceased updating visa appointment wait times at various consular posts. Please note that, as a result, the Center for Global Engagement is not currently able to assist travelers with projecting U.S. visa processing times.

Travelers needing to obtain a new visa or renew their current visa in order to reenter the U.S. should ensure they have an in-person visa interview appointment date confirmed, if required, prior to departing the U.S.

3. “Enhanced vetting and screening” practices may increase your chances for secondary inspection

The Trump administration’s reintroduction of enhanced vetting and screening practices at U.S. consulates and ports of entry significantly increase the risk that international travelers may experience greater scrutiny of visa applications, prolonged visa processing times, and more intense questioning when seeking to enter the U.S.

Travelers should seek to identify and weigh the risks associated with international travel based on their personal circumstances. Failure to carry proper documentation, evidence of prior legal issues, including certain traffic violations, and prolonged stays outside of the U.S. may all result in issues for travel. If travelers have questions about their specific circumstances, then they should contact a qualified immigration attorney.

4. Expect inspection of personal property without a warrant at U.S. ports of entry

At U.S. ports of entry, such as international airports and border crossings, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has broad authority to both search and seize travelers’ personal possessions, including electronic devices, without a warrant. Specifically, CBP may perform the following:

interrogate any person seeking to enter the U.S. to determine their eligibility for admission;
search the property of any person seeking to enter the U.S.; and
copy data for further inspection.

While the above focuses on the U.S., other countries have similar authority that may even permit government officials to conduct warrantless searches far beyond the regular customs enforcement area.

Considering the sensitive nature of certain research and technologies as well as personal privacy concerns, travelers are advised to only take electronic devices and data required to perform their intended activities abroad. Additionally, travelers should understand what items are prohibited or restricted from entering the U.S. and any countries they may be visiting or transiting through. Please visit UMBC’s Office of Research Protections and Compliance’s Export Control and Travel Page for additional considerations and tips related to international travel and restrictions on transferring controlled items or technologies.

5. Understand that your social media profile and activity may be searched

Many countries, including some of the most popular tourist destinations, have lèse-majesté laws prohibiting criticisms of the host country’s government. Violation of these laws can result in fines, detention, deportation, and denial of eligibility to visit the country in the future.

Given the rise of social media, a growing number of governments have also implemented fake news laws designed to address online manipulation and news the country’s government deems to be untrue. More recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easier for governments to monitor social media postings and other online content.

While freedom of speech is a core value of the United States, travelers should be fully aware of how their participation in certain activities and expressions of speech may expose them to risks that could compromise their immigration status. According to Axios, more than 300 international students had their visas revoked during the first three weeks of the U.S. government’s new Catch and Revoke initiative, which uses AI to assist with the review of social media accounts.

6. Prepare for possible travel bans

The New York Times reported on an internal Trump administration memo indicating that certain countries could soon be subject to a revised travel ban. As reported, the proposed ban would include three tiers: Red, Orange, and Yellow.

Countries in the “RED” category, which could face a full travel ban, may include: Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Countries in the “ORANGE” category, which could face higher scrutiny, may include: Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan.
Countries in the “YELLOW” category, which would have 60 days to address concerns from the administration or risk being elevated to one of the two higher categories may include: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Principe, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Turkmenistan, and Vanuatu.

It is currently unknown when or if the new travel bans will be implemented. Still, there remains a very real risk that nationals of the listed countries who are outside the United States when the ban is announced may be unable to return, even with a valid visa stamp. It is also possible that additional countries could be included.

Individuals who do not hold U.S. citizenship and who are planning to travel abroad and reenter the U.S. must assess their personal risk tolerance for international travel given the possibility that they may be unable to reenter the U.S. as a result of a future travel ban. Moreover, such travelers should plan ahead for how they would be able to continue their studies or employment from outside of the U.S.

Summary of recommendations

Ensure you carry valid immigration documents with you when you travel within the United States and abroad. It is also highly recommended that you make copies of these documents in the event they are ever damaged, lost, or stolen.
If you need to obtain a new visa prior to returning to the United States and require an in-person visa interview, do not make international travel plans until you have an in-person visa appointment confirmed.
Be prepared for questioning by CBP officers upon your return to the United States.
Understand that CBP officers may search your personal possessions without a warrant. This includes data, such as messages, files, and photos, stored on electronic devices as well as information you have shared on social media.
If upon arriving at a U.S. port of entry you are referred to secondary inspection (i.e., additional screening), remain calm and provide clear responses to the questions asked.
Assess your personal risk tolerance for possibly being unable to return to the U.S. in the event that travel restrictions are imposed and potentially change your travel plans if you feel that you may be at risk.

Resources for university travelers

The International Travel Guide, published by Business Services, is designed to assist university travelers with planning university-sponsored international travel. It includes guidelines for obtaining pre-approval and submitting reimbursement requests.

The Office of International Students and Scholars is available to consult on immigration-related travel issues for individuals holding F-1, H-1B, and J-1 immigration status.

UMBC’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides employees with access to free confidential counseling and connections to attorneys who can help with a variety of issues, including immigration concerns.

UMBC’s International Travel Registry provides real-time, location specific security alerts to students, faculty, and staff traveling internationally on university business. Additionally, travelers registering their travel will be notified of how to enroll in UMBC’s comprehensive international travel insurance and assistance policy, which provides coverage for medical and non-medical issues that may arise during travel.

UMBC’s Office of Research Protections and Compliance provides detailed information related to export control and considerations for international travel.

Sincerely,

David L. Di Maria, Vice Provost for Global Engagement

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Dear Campus Community, I am writing to address ongoing questions and concerns received from students, faculty, and staff regarding international travel. First, it is important to acknowledge...

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Dear UMBC Community,

As many of you know, in April 2024, UMBC entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to improve and expand upon our work to prevent and respond to reports of sexual misconduct and sex discrimination under Title IX. The agreement followed a lengthy investigation by the DOJ that found systemic failures in the university’s Title IX compliance between 2015 and 2020.

The agreement, which will remain in effect through the 2028 – 29 academic year, commits us to taking many steps to strengthen our Title IX office and its work, to provide specific support for student-athletes and the Athletics Department, to expand training for all members of the community, and to provide financial relief to certain individuals, as determined and directed by the DOJ.

We have made significant progress toward all of these aims, building on work that we began together in 2022, well before the DOJ released its findings. Today, as we approach the one-year mark in our response to the agreement, we wanted to share with you a detailed report on that progress, which is available online. To summarize the work briefly:

We have hired several new staff members in the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, including the inaugural assistant vice president for equity and civil rights and Title IX coordinator;
We have made meaningful improvements in our policies and protocols related to Title IX compliance, including the development of a new university Title IX policy;
We have launched new, improved mandatory training for all students and all employees;
We have fulfilled the provision for financial relief for individuals as determined by the DOJ.

As president, I am deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of everyone involved in this response, most especially my co-author on this message, Tanyka Barber, our vice president for Institutional Equity and chief diversity officer. The work she is leading, the team she has built, and the collaboration she is fostering across campus are fundamentally transforming our efforts to prevent and respond to sex discrimination and harassment. We are also grateful for the work of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights staff, whose dedication to this work is evident every day.

Our commitment in this work is not only to the agreement, but, more importantly, to all of you, and to all who will join this community in the years to come. Nothing is more important than your well-being, and we will continue to hold ourselves to the highest standards of care, safety, integrity, and accountability.

Thank you all for your ongoing support of this work and your dedication to UMBC.

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

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

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Dear UMBC Community, As many of you know, in April 2024, UMBC entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to improve and expand upon our work to prevent and respond to...

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Dear Faculty and Staff,

This week, the world marked the five-year anniversary of the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic. As we reflect on that global crisis—remembering all the lives lost, honoring the heroes who were on the front lines of care, and considering lessons learned and implications for our future—it is worth recalling the uncertainty and anxiety of the early days of that crisis.

Today, in higher education, the uncertainty brought on by recent and ongoing changes at the federal level is creating anxiety that feels in some ways similar to what we felt five years ago, with questions about what the specific impacts will be—and how widespread and long-lasting—and how we will continue to care for our communities and advance our public-serving educational and research missions. It is worth remembering what we did in those early days of the pandemic, as well: We came together; we adapted; and we made decisions that were grounded in our values and based on the best information we had.

To be clear, higher education is not confronting a pandemic today. But we are, as a sector, facing tremendous challenges, including recent and potential changes in federal funding policies and practices that could devastate our country’s research capacity and cuts in education spending and other areas that could significantly affect educational institutions and the states and communities in which they are located.

I want to acknowledge the concerns. I know they may be heightened as you read of austerity measures being announced at other institutions, including some in Maryland, whose research funding has already been cut significantly and/or whose institutional budgets rely heavily on federal funding. No institution, not even the wealthiest, could replace federal research dollars out of their own budgets or with state funds or philanthropy. A loss of federal research funding on the scale that has been proposed would fundamentally change our nation’s academic research enterprise, and it would, inevitably, change the role of research in higher education and the teaching and learning that occurs on our campuses.

We simply do not know yet what the scale of impact will be, whether on research or any other aspect of our work. Nor do we know how federal changes will affect our state and its budget—though we know that more than one-third of the state’s budget comes from federal sources and that we were already anticipating (and prepared for) a reduction in state funding this year. What we know is that there will be impacts, and they are likely to be significant.

As the state funding picture becomes clearer, and as court rulings, congressional actions, and other efforts hopefully provide more clarity on federal funding, we will keep you informed and communicate with you about any steps the university may need to take to adapt to changing circumstances. Our core team continues to meet frequently to assess real and potential impacts of federal orders and actions. Please visit our related website for up-to-date information and communications concerning these issues.

I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had over the last few weeks to meet with you and hear your concerns and questions on a variety of issues related to federal orders and actions, including in recent meetings with academic chairs, directors from across the university, and shared governance, whose leadership I greatly appreciate. In all of these conversations, the concerns I hear speak to our shared values and our shared vision for UMBC.

As we head toward spring break, I hope you all will find some time to rest and renew. I hope, as well, that we reflect on the importance of UMBC and its mission and that you know how much we value your dedication to this community and its work.

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

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Dear Faculty and Staff, This week, the world marked the five-year anniversary of the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic. As we reflect on that global crisis—remembering all the lives lost,...

https://umbc.edu/stories/148088/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/148178/guest@my.umbc.edu/4e4343130d8c7fcc657813b3ad0a1562/api/pixel federal-orders president president-valerie-sheares-ashby rss story UMBC News & Magazine https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-news-magazine https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/original.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/large.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/medium.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/small.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxsmall.png?1748556657 UMBC News & Magazine 0 0 false Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:24:17 -0400 An Update on Our Response to Federal Actions and Orders

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

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Dear Faculty and Staff, This week, the world marked the five-year anniversary of the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic. As we reflect on that global crisis—remembering all the lives lost,...

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff/posts/148088 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/148108/guest@my.umbc.edu/b20251ee5d57cf13fed804ab11c94e4d/api/pixel federal-orders president-valerie-sheares-ashby rss story UMBC News & Magazine https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-news-magazine https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/original.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/large.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/medium.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/small.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxsmall.png?1748556657 UMBC News & Magazine 1 0 false Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:24:17 -0400 Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:24:17 -0400 Today’s shooting at the Baltimore County Police Station

Dear UMBC Community,

As you know, this afternoon, a Baltimore County Police officer was injured in a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Baltimore County Police station on Wilkens Avenue. This was a shocking incident of violence, especially because of its proximity to our campus. I want to assure our UMBC community that there is no imminent or ongoing danger to our community, and the shooting has been determined to have been an isolated incident. The suspect was taken into custody immediately following the incident, and the Baltimore County officer is in the hospital in stable condition. The Maryland Attorney General’s Office Independent Investigations Division and the Baltimore County Police Department are investigating.

I want to commend our UMBC Police Department for its exemplary work throughout today’s incident. Our officers were among the first to arrive on the scene, and I am grateful for their swift and professional actions, and for their leadership in keeping us informed and staying closely connected to Baltimore County Police. Our thoughts and support go out to the injured officer and his family and to the Baltimore County Police Department in this difficult time.

I want to remind you that resources are available for faculty, staff, and students who may need support. Please do not hesitate to seek out resources for support should you need them.

For students:

Retriever Integrated Health

Retriever Care

For employees and their households:

Employee Assistance Program

Immediate assistance and 24/7 support resources are also available

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

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Dear UMBC Community, As you know, this afternoon, a Baltimore County Police officer was injured in a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Baltimore County Police station on Wilkens...

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements/posts/148104 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/148109/guest@my.umbc.edu/e6d2e10bad75ec7b5b1e444e1a96322e/api/pixel president president-valerie-sheares-ashby rss story UMBC News & Magazine https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-news-magazine https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/original.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/large.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/medium.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/small.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxsmall.png?1748556657 UMBC News & Magazine 0 0 false Thu, 13 Mar 2025 21:16:22 -0400 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 21:16:22 -0400 Today’s shooting at the Baltimore County Police Station

Dear UMBC Community,

I want to remind you that resources are available for faculty, staff, and students who may need support. Please do not hesitate to seek out resources for support should you need them.

For students:

Retriever Integrated Health

Retriever Care

For employees and their households:

Employee Assistance Program

Immediate assistance and 24/7 support resources are also available

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

]]>

Dear UMBC Community, As you know, this afternoon, a Baltimore County Police officer was injured in a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Baltimore County Police station on Wilkens...

https://umbc.edu/stories/todays-shooting-at-the-baltimore-county-police-station/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/148132/guest@my.umbc.edu/d05cd673f1951aa639fce28ba7cb50c1/api/pixel president president-valerie-sheares-ashby rss story UMBC News & Magazine https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-news-magazine https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/original.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/large.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/medium.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/small.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxsmall.png?1748556657 UMBC News & Magazine 0 0 false Thu, 13 Mar 2025 21:16:22 -0400 Today’s shooting at the Baltimore County Police Station

Dear UMBC Community,

I want to remind you that resources are available for faculty, staff, and students who may need support. Please do not hesitate to seek out resources for support should you need them.

For students:

Retriever Integrated Health

Retriever Care

For employees and their households:

Employee Assistance Program

Immediate assistance and 24/7 support resources are also available

Sincerely,

President Valerie Sheares Ashby

]]>

Dear UMBC Community, As you know, this afternoon, a Baltimore County Police officer was injured in a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Baltimore County Police station on Wilkens...

https://umbc.edu/stories/148104/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/148179/guest@my.umbc.edu/8ca1d9172d22f2cf60836169e9045bf3/api/pixel president president-valerie-sheares-ashby rss story UMBC News & Magazine https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-news-magazine https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/original.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/large.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/medium.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/small.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxsmall.png?1748556657 UMBC News & Magazine 0 0 false Thu, 13 Mar 2025 21:16:22 -0400 A Message of Support for Graduate Students

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

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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...

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-graduates/posts/147877 https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/147882/guest@my.umbc.edu/98f6c717a8825baa4395869ee78eaa51/api/pixel federal-orders rss story UMBC News & Magazine https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbc-news-magazine https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/original.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xlarge.png?1748556657 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/large.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/medium.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/small.png?1748556657 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xsmall.png?1748556657 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/943/24435aa6207c452e7bc15cc74b42c7bb/xxsmall.png?1748556657 UMBC News & Magazine 5 0 false Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:37:20 -0500 Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:37:20 -0500