The first session of the popular Anxiety Toolbox workshop series is happening this Monday. It's the perfect opportunity to learn practical skills for understanding and managing anxiety.

UMBC is partnering with Trellis Strategies to launch the Student Financial Wellness Survey (SFWS) — a short, confidential survey about how you manage money and pay for college. Your responses will help UMBC better understand and address students' financial needs.

Survey opens: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Closes: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Look for your unique survey link in your UMBC email from Trellis Strategies (check spam/junk if you don't see it).

Prizes:

• $5 Retriever Dollars — First 500 students to complete the survey

• $5,000 Scholarship — One UMBC student will win for the 2025–2026 academic year

• $50 Amazon Gift Card — National drawing (50 cards available!)

• All current UMBC undergraduate and graduate students

• Must be 18 or older

How to Participate:
Check your UMBC email for your unique survey link from Trellis Strategies and complete the survey by November 11.

Let your voice shape the future of financial wellness at UMBC — and get rewarded for your time!

Questions?
Email financialsmarts@umbc.edu

3-Minute Thesis Competition

Why Participate?

Halloween is a time of excitement, costumes, and community fun — but for children with food allergies, it can also be stressful and even dangerous. The Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative by FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), helps make Halloween safer and more inclusive for all trick-or-treaters.

By placing a teal pumpkin on your porch or displaying one of FARE's printable signs, you signal that you are offering non-food treats — such as stickers, small toys, bubbles, or glow sticks — in addition to traditional candy. This simple act ensures that children with food allergies or dietary restrictions can enjoy the fun of Halloween without fear of an allergic reaction.

Candy Facts: Staying Safe This Spooky Season

Help all trick-or-treaters have fun without worrying about accidental exposure to allergens!
Always check labels carefully, and when in doubt, contact the manufacturer before consuming.

• Candy Corn: Often contains egg whites and sometimes sesame oil. If labeled egg-free, double-check for other potential allergens.

• Mini or "Fun Size" Candy: May have different ingredients than full-size versions. Always read the label.

• Last Year's Favorites: Ingredients can change — a candy that was safe last year might not be this year.

• Candy Without Labels: If the product isn't clearly identified, it's safest to discard it or trade it for another treat.

• Licorice: Often contains wheat as a binding ingredient — check labels if you have a wheat allergy.

• "Allergy-Free" Candy: There is no such thing as completely "allergy-free" candy. While the top nine allergens cause most reactions, over 200 allergens have been reported.

• Dark Chocolate: Can contain traces of milk, which are unsafe for those with milk allergies, even if tolerated by those with lactose intolerance.

How You Can Participate:

• Add your home or event to the official Teal Pumpkin Project Map so families can plan allergy-safe routes.

• Display a teal pumpkin or sign to show your participation.

• Provide non-food treats in a separate bowl from candy to ensure safety and inclusion.

• Encourage friends and neighbors to join the movement and help spread awareness.

Together, we can make Halloween a time of joy and inclusion for every child.
Learn more here and add your home to the map!

Let's bring the magic of Halloween to everyone — one teal pumpkin at a time!