Hello everyone, we hope you’ve had a great semester so far! We’re half way through already!

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Updates and Events:

The Global Pantry Initative:

We’re expanding our pantry’s flavors from around the world to highlight different cultures in our diverse community! For the month of April, we will be offering ingredients from West African and East Asian regions. Stop by and explore while supplies last!

Free Farmers Market Temporary Room Change on 04/02 and 04/09:

Thursday, April 2nd & April 9th. Center for Wellbeing

Our Free Farmers Market for the first two weeks will be in the Center For Wellbeing from 2:00pm - 2:45pm!

Special Earth Day Free Farmers Market

Monday, April 20th 12-1pm. Commons Terrace.

We’ve partnered with Chartwells, Student Success Initiatives, and the Office of Sustainability to bring you an additional Free Farmer’s Market during the Earth Day Fair! This market will be outside on the Commons Terrace and will be our biggest market yet.

Money Smart Week Session - How to make it work: Smart ways to use campus and community resources:

Wednesday, April 15th 12-1pm. Commons 318.

We’re hosting a session to teach how to navigate campus and community resources. We understand that a good budget can only get you so far when it’s stretched thin. We’re here to tell you that you’re not bad with money, we’re experiencing a challenging economy. With that in mind, you can still make it work by taking advantage of existing resources both on and off campus!

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Data:

In the month of March, we’ve distributed 8.3k lbs worth of food and other household essentials, with over 2k visits to our pantry! This also includes calculations from our Free Farmers Market on Thursdays, our mini pantry in the police station, and vending machine.

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Suggestion Box:

To improve our services, and try to address everyone's different needs, we would love to hear your feedback!

https://forms.gle/oUvd1EaMcmmasKFn8

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read  our newsletter.

If you have any questions about what we provide, volunteering opportunities, or general inquiries, feel free to email us at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu at any time!

Sincerely,

The Retriever Essentials Team

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in the RAC!
For the full schedule see:urcad.umbc.edu

Amy Taylor, Margot Anthony | Power and Control: The Impact of Religious Cults on the Lives of Women | Lauren Allen | Social Work | RAC Arena, 2-3pm, Poster #67

Stephanie Williams and Willow Brandy |Powerand Control: The Impact of Religious Cults on the Lives of Women| Kerri Evans | Social Work | RAC 230 | 11:00-11:15

Title: Homophobia and Queer Repression in Watchmen

Mentors: Keegan Finberg and Sharon Tran, English dept.

Come see Esther's oral presentation at URCAD on April 22:  1:15-1:30 RAC 106

Abstract:

My honors thesis examines representations of queerness in Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ superhero comic series Watchmen (1986-7), remarkable for its literary status and influentially mature take on the superhero genre. My URCAD presentation will give an overview of this thesis with a focus on analyzing how the character Rorschach constructs a superhero alter ego to repress his queerness and acquiesce to neoliberal norms of masculinity outlined by Margaret Thatcher’s British New Right of the 1980s. This reading is informed by methods from queer studies, superhero comic studies, new historicism and Marxism. I unpack the ways in which superhero comic tropes are subverted to portray repressed queerness, put those tropes into conversation with the politics of the AIDS epidemic, and consider Rorschach’s identity factors, primarily his lower working-class status, to explain why and how he represses his queerness in the manner he does. Ultimately, I demonstrate that considering Watchmen as a queer superhero story can open up new avenues of scholarly conversation for exploring the superhero genre’s unique capacity to portray repressed queerness via costuming. Given the current political moment’s rising homophobia, finding ways of seeing queer people in media, especially those struggling with homophobia, has become incredibly salient.

URCAD.umbc.edu

Take a break from the mid-week grind for one of our favorite traditions: Bingo Night! Join the GSA and the OGSL for an evening of prizes, snacks, and good vibes.

When:Wednesday, April 8 | 4–7 p.m.

Where:UC Ballroom 

Get your ticket today!

FOLLOW OGSL ON myUMBC FOR ALL THINGS GSAW!

We're taking the Graduate Student Appreciation Week celebration off-campus! Join your fellow grad students for an afternoon of arcade games and food at Dave & Buster's. It's the perfect Saturday reset before the full week of events begins.

Space is limited for this off-campus excursion, so please make sure to RSVP at the link below to secure your spot!

• When:Saturday, April 4 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

• Where:Off Campus

• RSVP: https://forms.gle/vYrSWN3WCgcLYMJg6

FOLLOW OGSL ON mUMBC FOR ALL THINGS GSAW!

Elle Enomanna is a Political Science major with a minor in History, and a member of the Honors College.

Title: The Erasure of Jane Crow from the Modern Legal System

Mentor: Dr. Michelle Scott

Come see Elle's oral presentation at URCAD on April 22:  1:35-1:50pm in RAC 106.

Abstract:

Black feminist studies scholars and journalists are calling the 2020s the new Era of Jane Crow (the double jeopardy of racism and sexism),as Black women’s rights are being eroded. How did the legal systems of the United States of America go from integrating activist Pauli Murray’s 'Jane Crow' theory into its laws in the 1960s to today, where Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old Black woman in Georgia, was forced to carry her baby to term, well after her brain death?  This project is a critical historical and legal analysis of the impact of Jane Crow on American society, drawing on Murray’s autobiography, their mid-twentieth-century legal scholarship, Supreme Court cases from the 1940s to the present, as well as congressional debates over the Equal Rights Amendment. In doing so, this project analyzes how Jane Crow shaped, or failed to shape, the Human Rights doctrine and statutes of today. In short, this project argues that the modern American legal system's failure to fully integrate Murray’s theory of Jane Crow into law has only increased Black women’s vulnerability, whether it is in the workforce or the doctor’s office.

For more info:

URCAD.umbc.edu

Hello Everyone!

Retriever Essentials will have a delayed opening until 1:00pm due to restocking from our Maryland Food Bank delivery. 

Please plan your trip accordingly, and we apologize for any inconviences. 

Kaitlin Worzalla is a URA Scholar and Geography and Environmental Systems major.

Title: Human Presence in Fragile Spaces: A Study of Antarctic Tourism

Mentor: Charles Kaylor

Come see her oral presentation at URCAD on April 22:  9:20-9:35am, in RAC 230

Abstract:

As Antarctica faces the effects of climate change and increased tourist activity, understanding the intersection between human presence and ecological sensitivity is critical. Using data collected during a December 2025 expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, this research provides insights into Antarctic tourism through geospatial analysis, wildlife observations, and evaluation of visitor protocols. This project’s significance lies in the findings around the extensive and complex governance surrounding human activity below 60° South. While extensive regulatory frameworks and biosecurity protocols were in place and effectively minimized environmental disturbance, these same regulations had loopholes and appeared fragile. It additionally revealed opportunities for citizen science initiatives that contributed to ongoing wildlife conservation and environmental science efforts. Finally, it showed that tourism vessels function not only as recreational platforms, but also as logistical supports for seasonal research stations. In terms of a warming planet, polar regions are widely considered to be Earth’s climate regulators. As traveling to Antarctica becomes more accessible and popular, it is important that we continue to monitor the impacts of tourism in polar regions and enact responsible tourism practices that can act as models for other tourist destinations.

For more info:

URCAD.umbc.edu

As we prepare for Graduate Student Appreciation Week (April 3–10), the Office of Graduate Student Life (OGSL) is excited to invite GSOs, academic departments, campus partners, and faculty/staff to participate in several of our upcoming events.

We are currently gathering interest for the following opportunities:

• Grad Wellness Day– Monday, April 6 | 1–3 PM | Commons Main Street(tabling for departments and organizations)
• Bingo Night– Wednesday, April 8 | 5–8 PM | UC Ballroom(GSO tabling only)
• Grad Culture Day– Thursday, April 9 | 12–4 PM | UC Ballroom(tabling, performances, and cultural demonstrations)

These events are designed to foster connection, highlight resources, and celebrate the diversity of our graduate student community. Your participation plays an important role in creating an engaging and inclusive experience.

If you’re interested in participating, please complete the interest form here:
https://forms.gle/A4ZHQNX6FxUmVNko8

The form will allow you to indicate which events you’d like to be part of, how you plan to engage (tabling, performance, demonstration), and any logistical or A/V needs.

Please submit your response by Wednesday, April 1 to assist with planning and space coordination.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mitchell Everett, meverett1@umbc.edu. We appreciate your partnership in making GSAW a meaningful and student-centered experience.

Get ready to ROCK THE RAC!! Poetry, drum circle jams, alternative rock. Dust off your Hacky Sack and get ready to ROCK the RAC with these live performances by UMBC students and faculty.

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC. Check out these live performances!

https://urcad.umbc.edu/agenda/performances/

Live Performances

11:00-11:15am

Drum Circle-  Improvisational drum jam featuring UMBC faculty, staff, and students. With INDS professorStephen "Dr. Upcycle" McAlpine, professor Jose Arenas Gomez, Anna Folange, and members of the Retriever Music Society. You can hear them on sunny afternoons on the steps of Academic Row getting their groove on.

11:15- 11:30am

Trilece Wilson (Poetry)- "Tears Made of Ink"- lyric and confessional poetry.

Mentor: Nicole Pekarske

11:30am-12:00pm

Dana Idnay Band- Alternative Rock band playing selections from Sparrow (EP) featuring Dana Idnay (Biology Pre-Pharmacy), Gabriel Schauf, (Music Technology) Nik Redcay (Music Technology), Logan Williams (Music Technology)

Mentor: Felipe Garibaldi

--------- 12-1:00pm- Keynote Speaker, Karena Ingram ('16, Music Composition) ----------

1:00-1:30pm

Members of the UMBC Jazz Ensemble- Performing original student jazz compositions. Tal Pluznik (drums), Adrian Mickens (trumpet), Leo Hickman (mandolin), Jack McGrath (bass), Noah Vernon (piano), Wyatt Betz (reeds)

Director: Matt Belzer

1:30- 2:00pm

Down and Dirty Dawg Band- Founded in 1998, DDDB is UMBC's pep band. The name was given to the band by the members to reflect the music and attitude of the group. DDDB plays popular and jazz funk tunes and has grown into a core membership of highly motivated performers led by a student organization. They support the Retrievers Men's and Women's Basketball teams and perform at other spirit events. 

Director: Bentley Corbett-Wilson

3:00-4:00pm, RAC Stage

Fever Dream- Rock band featuring Dr. Jeffrey Lieps (Professor, Biological Sciences), Dr. Stephen Caruso (Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences), Ryan Bacon (6th year PhD student in Biological Sciences), Elana Frazier (1st year PhD student in Biological Sciences), Ginevra Imberti (Biochemistry undergraduate student)

Claudia Gualtieri (Manager)

*AND GET READY FOR THE FIRST-EVER URCAD AFTERPARTY AT FISH HEAD CATINA ON THURSDAY, APRIL 23 AT 7PM, FEATURING FEVER DREAM!