Hi everyone!

We're back with our weekly Free Farmer's Market 2-2:45pm in the Apartment Community Center. See you soon!  

Hello Everyone!

Retriever Essentials will close early today, at 2:45pm.

We apologize for any inconviences

Hey Graduate Assistants! 👋

The Graduate School has shared an important resource for all Graduate Assistants who have or are considering a summer 2026 appointment. GAAC is passing this along to make sure it reaches you directly.

The Summer 2026 Registration Guide covers:

🔹 FICA Taxes & Exemption — Domestic GAs employed this summer must be enrolled in at least 3 credits throughout their appointment to avoid FICA taxes (7.65%) being deducted from your pay. If you're not enrolled, both you and your department may be impacted.

🔹 GRAD 603 — A free 2-credit option that can help you reach the 3-credit FICA threshold. It's stackable with at least 1 credit of coursework or research, and it's optional if you're already enrolled in enough credits.

🔹 PhD Candidacy Students — If you've reached candidacy, you may register for 898 or 899 for summer FICA exemption.

🔹 Summer Financial Aid — If you're looking to qualify for summer financial aid, you'll need at least 6 total credits. Note that GRAD 603 does not count toward this requirement.

🔹 Estimated Costs — The guide includes a registration cost breakdown across different course options (Independent Study, 799, 898, 899) so you can plan accordingly.

One important note on residency: GAs who do not hold a summer GA appointment will have their residency status reverted to out-of-state for billing purposes unless your official residency is already in-state. Residency will be restored for fall once the Graduate School receives your fall appointment letter and tuition remission forms.

📄 Full guide attached — we strongly encourage all GAs with summer appointments to review it.

For registration guidance, contact your graduate program or department. For questions about appointment-specific details, reach out to The Graduate School directly.

As always, feel free to reach out to GAAC at gsagaac@umbc.edu if you have concerns or need help navigating this.

GAAC, Graduate Student Association | UMBC gsa.umbc.edu/contact-gaac

Hello everyone!

Retriever Essentials will close early today at 3:00pm

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

Hello everyone!

Due to the undergraduate graduation, Retriever Essentials will not have our Free Farmers Market today. 

Congratulations to all of our graduates and undergraduates who are graduating! 

As we head into the summer months, we want to let you know that The Essential Space will be transitioning to a reduced seasonal summer schedule.

Beginning June 1st, our temporary hours will be:

• Monday: 11am-3pm
• Tuesday: 11am-3pm
• Wednesday: 12pm-5:30pm
• Thursday: Closed (Free farmer's market 2-2:45 in ACC)
• Friday: 11am-3pm

Please plan your visits accordingly. If you have an urgent need outside of these hours, please reach out to us at retrieveressentials@umbc.edu, and we will do our best to assist you. We look forward to seeing many of you this summer!

Hello Everyone!

Due to our delivery and restocking, Retriever Essentials will have a delyaed opening until 1:00pm today.

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

The finish line is in sight! It's the last day of the Grad Finals Reset, and the OGSL Office is still open and ready to be your sanctuary from the exam crunch.

If your brain needs a break from the laptops and textbooks, swing by today. Whether you have 5 minutes to spare or want to stay and hang out longer, we’ve got exactly what you need to recharge:

• 🧩 Teamwork Puzzles: Help us finish up the community puzzles!

• 🖍️ Mindful Coloring: Grab some crayons or colored pencils and just zone out.

• 🛋️ Cozy Chill Space: No deadlines, no pressure—just a quiet, comfortable space to relax and breathe.

Take care of your mental well-being as you wrap up the semester. You’re almost there, grads—come take a well-deserved breather with us before it ends!

Hey Graduate Students! 👋

As we transition into the summer months, the Office of Graduate Student Life (GSL) will be operating on a modified schedule. Please note our general hours and upcoming closures below before planning your visit:

🗓️ General Summer Hours

• Days: Monday – Thursday

• Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

🚫 Upcoming May Closures & Key Dates

• Wednesday, May 20: CLOSED due to Spring Commencement 🎓 (Congratulations, grads!)

• Thursday, May 21 – Monday, May 25: CLOSED for Memorial Day Weekend 🇺🇸

• Tuesday, May 26: OPEN for the start of the Summer Session 📚

🚫 June & July Holiday Closures

• Friday, June 19: CLOSED for Juneteenth 

• Friday, July 3: CLOSED for Independence Day Observed 🎆

Have a wonderful, safe, and relaxing summer break! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

The finish line is in sight! We are down to the last two days of the Grad Finals Reset, and the OGSL Office is still open and ready to be your sanctuary from the exam crunch.

If your brain needs a break from the laptops and textbooks, swing by today or tomorrow. Whether you have 5 minutes to spare or want to stay and hang out longer, we’ve got exactly what you need to recharge:

• 🧩 Teamwork Puzzles: Help us finish up the community puzzles!

• 🖍️ Mindful Coloring: Grab some crayons or colored pencils and just zone out.

• 🛋️ Cozy Chill Space: No deadlines, no pressure—just a quiet, comfortable space to relax and breathe.

Take care of your mental well-being as you wrap up the semester. You’re almost there, grads—come take a well-deserved breather with us before it ends!