This September, the Division of Institutional Equity has a full lineup of events and opportunities for the UMBC community. All events and opportunities are open to full participation by all community members. Here’s how you can get involved!

September 2 | 12 pm - 2 pm | In-person

DOIE Open Day

We are kicking off the month with our open day. Meet the teams that make up the Division of Institutional Equity (DOIE), learn about our services, connect with representatives across our units, and better understand our mission to support our entire campus community. There will be giveaways and light refreshments. 

Event details: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/posts/151761 

September 4 | 10 am - 2 pm | In-person

Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center (WGEC) Open House

Stop by the WGEC Open house to build community, enter a sticker-making contest, and more. All are welcome to attend.

Event details: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events/144927 

September 4 | 12pm | In-person

SDS Open House  

Students, staff, and faculty are welcome to visit the department and meet SDS & ADS staff, tour the office and testing areas, ask questions about disability access and the accommodation process, and connect with helpful resources. There will be light refreshments.

Event details: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/145090

September 8 | 12 pm - 1 pm | In-person

Accessibility Tour: Wayfinding, Skywalks, and Resources

Join the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services for a guided tour of UMBC's campus-on-a-hill. Accessibility is everyone's responsibility, and this is an excellent opportunity to learn about accessibility features, challenges, and how you can be an effective Accessibility Ally! The tour is limited to a small group of participants. Registration and other information about the tour can be found in the link below.

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/143607 

September 12 | 12 pm - 1:30 pm | In-person

ADA 101: Working with ADS/SDS, Requirements, Universal Design & Inclusion

This workshop provides an introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and practical guidance for working with ADS/SDS. It will also cover accessible teaching practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and strategies for creating inclusive course plans. Registration and other information about the workshop can be found in the link below.

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/145092

September 15

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Begins

Celebrate the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month with us! Stay tuned for a special post featuring events as well as our recommended read, watch, and listen list.

September 17 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | Virtual

Building Bridges Across Differences: A Dialogue for Everyday Series

The Center for Social Justice Dialogue kicks off its first session of the series, "Exploring Socialization and Liberation." Participants will explore how they shape our perspectives and behaviors. This is a lunch and learn style event, and everyone is welcome to attend. 

Event details: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/143931

September 18 | 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm | In-person

Fall 25 Culture Builders Keynote featuring Dr. Kari Grain

Dr. Grain will share insights from Critical Hope, exploring how educators, leaders, and students can confront systemic harm with courage, reflection, and care, while leading with purpose to create more just and inclusive communities. This event is collaboratively presented by the Fall 2025 Culture Builder Cohort. 

Registration: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/doie/events/144320 

September 24 | 12 pm - 1 pm |  In-person

Accessibility Tour: Wayfinding, Skywalks and Resources

A second opportunity to explore accessibility on campus with the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services. Seats are limited; registration and other details can be found in the link below.

https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/144019 

September 25 | 12 pm - 2 pm | In-person

Tea Time with Tori

Join SDS’s Assistive Technologist and Accessibility Specialist, Tori Jakpa, for Tea Time with Tori as she shares everything she knows about assistive technology over tea. 

Event details: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/events/144926 

September 30 | 8:30 am - 5 pm  

Culture of Respect Collective Site Visit 

In January 2025, UMBC joined the ninth cohort of NASPA’s (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) Culture of Respect Collective. The two-year program guides colleges and universities committed to ending sexual violence through an intensive evaluation and action planning framework that will further enhance prevention and response initiatives on campus.

During the first six months of the program, UMBC completed an in-depth assessment to examine the University’s current work in six key areas: survivor support, policies and processes, prevention education, public disclosures of data, schoolwide mobilization and communication strategies, and ongoing self-assessment. 

On September 30, 2025, a representative from Culture of Respect will conduct a campus site visit to meet with campus leadership and community members. As part of this site visit, the representative will facilitate both a Student Listening Session and Faculty/Staff Listening Session to gather community input. Campus community members who are interested in attending one of these in-person sessions should RSVP for the appropriate event which will be posted to ECR’s myUMBC page.

REMINDERS

Mandatory Annual Title IX Student Training

UMBC is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the campus community and is committed to maintaining a campus environment which is free from sex discrimination, including both sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. To help meet these goals,UMBC requires all students to complete an online educational program on topics including consent, bystander intervention, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, stalking, and related topics. All students are required to complete this training at the start of each academic year.The online training can be accessed at UMBC’s Vector Solutions login page. For questions, please see the Student Training FAQ page or email ecrtraining@umbc.edu.

Note: All programs, events, and opportunities are open to full participation by all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and University nondiscrimination policies.

Overall Series Description:

The Building Bridges Across Difference: A Dialogue for Every Day series equips faculty, staff, and students with practical tools to foster connection and understanding across differences in today’s polarized climate. Grounded in the Center for Social Justice Dialogue's commitment to shared power and inclusive practices, this series provides strategies to build trust, navigate challenging and emotionally charged moments, and create environments that encourage community and mutual respect. By embracing intergroup dialogue practices daily, participants will enhance their ability to inspire critical self-reflection, cultural storytelling, generous listening, and loving accountability.

All sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 11:30 - 1:30 pm and will be held VIRTUALLY.

If you have accessibility needs, please email csjdialogue@umbc.edu.

Session Descriptions:

1. Exploring Socialization and Liberation, 9/17

RSVP: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/143931
From childhood to the workplace, we are influenced by powerful cultural and institutional messages that shape our understanding of who we are and how we relate to others. In this session, we’ll engage the Cycles of Socialization and Liberation to examine how these messages shape our perspectives and behaviors. Participants will reflect on their own socialization and explore ways to move toward more equitable and liberatory practices.

2. Understanding Identity in Community, 10/15

RSVP: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/143932
Each of us brings a unique set of identities to our roles on campus, some are visible, while others are less so. This session uses an identity chart activity to explore how our identities influence our experiences, relationships, and sense of belonging at UMBC. Together, we’ll build a shared understanding of power, privilege, and difference, and explore what each of us can do about it at UMBC.