An official ballot dropoff box is now available in The Commons between the CIC desk and Flat Tuesdays. Any registered Maryland voter may submit a mail-in ballot. For more information, contact the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu

President Sheares Ashby has signed the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge's commitment to 100% voter participation. UMBC has joined more than 625 college presidents and chancellors in committing to full student voter registration and participation in all elections. By signing the pledge, UMBC has committed to ensuring all eligible students are able to register to vote and cast informed ballots in the general elections and beyond. Further, the University has committed to fostering campus cultures that support nonpartisan student civic learning, political engagement and student voter participation. 

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is a nonpartisan, national initiative of the 501c3 Civic Nation, recognizing and supporting campuses as they work to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement and full student voter participation. The Challenge encourages higher education institutions to help students form the habits of active and informed citizenship, and make democratic participation a core value on their campus. 

In April 2023, UMBC was recognized for increasing democratic engagement, and Musa Jafri ‘24 was named to the Student Voting Honor Role. 

From Trash to Treasure: Toxic Tourism, Subjunctive Measures of Safety, and Redevelopment in the Baltimore Inner Harbor

Tristan Diaz, Sociology, Anthropology, and Health Administration and Policy
Mentors: Nicholas Welcome, Anthropology; Bambi Chapin, Anthropology

11:40-11:55 am. in UC 312

The Baltimore Inner Harbor has long been a site of immense industrial production. Since the 1700s, the resulting pollution has become synonymous with the Inner Harbor, creating a distinct notion that the water was inherently harmful to those who came into contact with it. The question for many has become, “What do we do about it?” This study explores how people around the Baltimore Inner Harbor perceive and work to rehabilitate water and water life in areas long deemed polluted. One innovative way that some have chosen to help rehabilitate the harbor is by using magnets to fish out metal debris in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Magnet fishing is a practice that uses large neodymium magnets and grappling hooks tied to heavy ropes to collect metal refuse that lies below the surface of the water. Using ethnographic methods, including participant observation and interviewing, this project explores these perceptions through the lens of those who come into direct contact with pollutants while magnet fishing in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. This exploration of people’s relationship with the Inner Harbor provides important insight into current debates about risk and redevelopment in the Inner Harbor area.

URCAD is Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in the UC.

Maryland Perspectives on the use of the Phrase “Defund the Police”

Karla Press-Porter, American Studies
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Fouts, American Studies

11:20-11:35am UC 312

This research project surveyed 70 individuals across Maryland to explore perceptions of “defund the police” in the context of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement and subsequent public opinion shifts. Through a comparative analysis considering race, class, gender, and political identity, the study examines Maryland residents’ evolving perspectives on this phrase from 2020 to 2023. The project generated a map featuring 18 profiles derived from survey responses, offering geographical insights into diverse viewpoints across the state, encompassing rural, suburban, and urban populations. By delving into individuals’ experiences and understanding how perspectives intersect, the research provides a comprehensive understanding of this culturally significant issue. Noting from the data collected, 66 out of 70 responses share the stance on issues relating to how police-to-resident interactions are handled since 2020. This approach offers a nuanced exploration of the topic, shedding light on the complex dynamics shaping public opinion in Maryland regarding the “defund the police” movement.

Public Humanities Department funding.

URCAD is Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Infinite Spectrum: A Queer Self-Portrait Exhibition, Echoes of Mapplethorpe, Muholi and many other Queer Artists

Ousmane Diop, Arts
Mentor: Dr. Julie Oakes, History

Infinite Spectrum is an evocative self-portrait exhibition that draws inspiration from the impactful legacies of Robert Mapplethorpe and Zanele Muholi, bringing forth a deeply personal exploration of the queer experience. This project seeks to amplify individual voices within the LGBTQIA+ community by providing a platform for artists to express the nuances, challenges, and triumphs of their unique journeys. The self-portraits featured in this project will transcend conventional boundaries, employing a myriad of mediums such as photography. Artists are encouraged to delve into the raw authenticity of their lived experiences, embracing the influence of Mapplethorpe’s unapologetic exploration of sexuality and Muholi’s unyielding commitment to documenting black LGBTQIA+ narratives. This research unfolds as a kaleidoscopic journey, reflecting the diversity within the queer community. Each self-portrait serves as a vibrant brushstroke contributing to a larger canvas that honors the multiplicity of queer identities. Infinite Spectrum seeks to create an immersive experience, inviting viewers to navigate the intricacies of queer existence. By channeling the spirit of Mapplethorpe and Muholi, Infinite Spectrum aspires to be more than an art exhibition; it aims to be a celebration, a testament, and a testament to the resilience and beauty inherent in the queer experience.

Ousmane's photography exhibit will be on display in the UC  third floor lobby, all day, and his oral presentation will be in room UC 312 from 10-10:15am.