DOIE OCTOBER 2026 HIGHLIGHTS
This October, the Division of Institutional Equity has a full lineup of events and opportunities for the UMBC community. All events and opportunities across the division are open to full participation by all community members.
Here’s how you can get involved!
October 1 - 21 | Mon-Thurs: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 10:00 am -3:00 pm | The Commons: 004
The Clothesline Project T-Shirt Making
“The Clothesline Project gives survivors of intimate partners and other forms of power-based violence an opportunity to express their experiences through art. During October, survivors can create a shirt to share their stories as part of the healing process. Shirt-making supplies will be available during WGEC hours from October 1–21, with the completed display unveiled on October 22 for Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month.”
October 5 | 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Apartment Community Center: MPR
Affinity Group Open House
“Come meet Affinity Group leaders, learn more about the communities they support, and find opportunities to connect and stay engaged. The open house will feature information about groups across UMBC, along with refreshments and a brief program. All community members are invited to attend and learn how they can get involved.”
October 6 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | The Commons: 004
Intimate Partner Violence and Healthy Relationships
“Join the Women’s, Gender & Equity Center and community partners from Turnaround, Inc. for an interactive workshop to kick off Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. Learn how to recognize signs of abuse and explore practical skills for building and maintaining healthy relationships.”
October 6 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Mathematics/Psychology: 222
Disability Awareness Month Film Screening: Becoming Howard
Join the Office of Disability Access and Resources (DAAR) for a screening of Becoming Howard, a documentary following a 50-year-old autistic man as he returns to his hometown and reflects on identity, belonging, and self-acceptance. Bring your lunch and enjoy a movie with DAAR! Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance.
October 7 | 12:00 pm | Math/Psychology: 222
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 a great opportunity to learn about campus accessibility features, challenges, and how you can be an effective Accessibility Ally!
October 14 | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm | The Commons: 004 & RAC Multipurpose Room: 106
Survivor Self-Care & Activist Burn-Out Prevention Day
“Take time to relax, recharge, and decompress during this wellness event hosted as part of Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. Survivors of sexual violence, activists, and allies are invited to participate in trauma-informed activities, including yoga, acupuncture, health screenings, and peer-led crafts. Yoga will take place from 1–2 p.m. in RAC Multipurpose Room 106, with additional self-care activities offered in the WGEC Lounge from 2–4 p.m.”
October 16 | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Mathematics/Psychology: 222
Charm-Making & De-Stress Before Midterms with StressLess UMBC and DAAR
Take a break from studying and get creative with the Office of Disability Access and Resources (DAAR) and StressLess UMBC during Disability Awareness Month. Make a charm, connect with other students, and learn study strategies and assistive technology tools to support your academic success. Breast Cancer Awareness charms will also be available in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
October 19 | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Engineering: 027
Possibilities: American Federation for the Blind Documentary and Discussion
Join the UMBC community for a screening of Possibilities, a documentary celebrating the legacy of Helen Keller through the stories and perspectives of 21st-century voices. Co-produced by the American Foundation for the Blind, the film highlights disability, representation, and the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities are part of the stories and conversations that shape their communities. The screening will feature open audio descriptions, and popcorn will be provided.
October 19 | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm | University Center: 310
In Her Shoes: Interactive Workshop for Intimate Partner Violence Awareness
“Join the Women’s, Gender & Equity Center for In Her Shoes, an interactive workshop that invites participants to experience some of the decisions and challenges survivors of intimate partner violence may face while navigating an abusive relationship. Participants will follow a story card, move through different stations, and make decisions that shape their experience. The workshop takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete, and participants are welcome to drop in at any time.”
October 20 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | Virtual
Inclusive Excellence in Action Series: Grief Literacy
Join the Inclusive Excellence in Action Series for a session with Dr. Sakeena Everett from the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education. Dr. Everett will explore how grief impacts communities and share strategies for acknowledging, supporting, and building capacity for intersectional grief literacy among colleagues and students across campus.
October 21 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building: 201
Campus Accessibility Fall Update: Facilities Projects and More
Join Facilities Management and the Office of Disability Access and Resources for an update on current and planned campus projects that enhance accessibility and improve UMBC’s physical environment. The session will also provide an opportunity for community members, especially those with disabilities, to share ideas and experiences that can help inform future accessibility efforts. This event will be offered in a hybrid format.
October 26 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Mathematics/Psychology: 222
Disability Awareness Month Film Screening: Bumps in the Road
Join the Office of Disability Access and Resources (DAAR) for a screening of Bumps in the Road, a documentary featuring wheelchair-using technology engineers at the University of Pittsburgh who use their lived experiences to develop adaptive technologies and create greater opportunities for mobility and independence. Bring your lunch and enjoy a movie with DAAR!
October 27 | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Mathematics/Psychology: 222
Tea Time with Tori: Spilling the Tea on All Things Assistive Technology!
Join DAAR’s Assistive Technologist and Accessibility Specialist, Tori Jakpa, for tea, light snacks, and conversation about disability, accessibility, and assistive technology. This welcoming event offers students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to connect, ask questions, and explore how assistive technology can support learning and create more accessible classroom experiences.
October 28 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | The Commons: 004
Culture Conversations Fall ’26: Civic Engagement Beyond Voting
Join Culture Conversations and staff from the Center for Democracy and Civic Life for a conversation about what civic engagement can look like beyond the ballot box. Explore how everyday choices, relationships, communities, and collective action shape the systems around us and consider ways to become more active and intentional members of our communities.
Critical Social Justice Month
Critical Social Justice is a campus-wide initiative dedicated to deepening our collective understanding of equity, inclusion, and community care. Through panels, workshops, conversations, and creative programming, students, staff, and faculty are invited to explore how they can see themselves in both the problems and solutions of an unjust society. Join us throughout October for the following programs:
October 1:Critical Catch Up: Educational Policy Landscape
October 5:When the Personal is Political: How Identity and Politics Collide
October 20:Politics Over Dinner: How to Talk About Issues That Matter
October 21:Who Gets to Belong: When Equity Language Meets Accountability
October 26:Grounding and Release Yoga
October 28:Culture Conversation: Civic Engagement Beyond Voting
Cultural Heritage Month Celebrations
October is “Disability Identity Awareness Month” and “LGBTQ+ History Month”. Stay tuned for our ‘Read, Watch, Listen, Participate’ posts.
Discussion Group Meetings
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center this month for weekly discussion group meetings! Connect, share, and grow through spaces such as Grad Connect, We Believe You, Rebuilding Manhood, Spectrum, Women of Color Collective, Women and Gender Minorities in STEM, Returning Adult Learners, Athletics Group, Between Femmes, and Head Space. Visit https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events?mode=upcoming&page=1 for more information and schedules for each group.
Employee Annual Title IX Training Requirement
Pursuant to UMBC'sInterim Policy on Sex Discrimination, Sex-Based Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct, all faculty (including adjunct faculty), staff (regular and contingent), and student-employees (including teaching assistants and graduate assistants) are required to complete Title IX training each year. Employees who have not yet completed the training requirement shouldreview the instructionsand complete the three asynchronous modules outlined as soon as possible. New employees should complete training within 60 days of hire. The training will cover topics such as an overview of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR), what constitutes prohibited conduct under university policy, responding to a disclosure, procedures for reporting and resolving reports of prohibited conduct, trauma-informed care, confidentiality, and other applicable policies and procedures. Additional information regarding the training may be found inECR's training FAQs. If you still have questions, please contact ECR at ECRtraining@umbc.edu.
UMBC Affinity Groups are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University’s nondiscrimination policy.