Hey everyone,

We have a limited amount of breakfast available in Commons 308. Because quantities are small, we expect everything to be gone in about 20 minutes. If you're nearby, come grab a plate before it runs out!

On the Menu:

• Scrambled Eggs

• Potatoes

• Turkey Bacon

• Fruit

• Coffee & Juice

The Simons Foundation’s Life Sciences division is now accepting applications for its latest Simons Graduate Fellowships in Ecology and Evolution request for applications (RFA). These awards provide support for students entering U.S.-based Ph.D. programs with a plan to perform research in ecology and evolution. We are particularly interested in interdisciplinary research that jointly considers processes on both ecological and evolutionary timescales, or that links studies of ecology and evolution to other STEM fields, including physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry and other areas of biology, especially genetics.

Key Dates

• Fellowship application deadline: June 30, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern time
• LOI notification: October 30, 2026
• Acceptance deadline (finalists only): April 15, 2027
• Full proposal deadline (finalists only): May 27, 2027
• Award notifications: July 1, 2027
• Fellowship start date: August 1, September 1 or October 1, 2027

All LOIs must be submitted electronically through the Simons Award Manager (SAM).

APPLY HERE!

As we head into the final stretch of the semester, UMBC Dining Services has plenty of treats to keep you fueled, focused, and smiling. Check out our lineup of events for the rest of May:

🥩 May 6 (Wed) | Prime Night — True Grit’s

🥤 May 6 (Wed) | National Beverage Day Pop-up — University Center

🏡 May 7 (Thu) | Taste of Home — True Grit’s

🥞 May 12 (Tue) | Midnight Breakfast — The Commons

🧑‍🍳 May 13 (Wed) | Teaching Kitchen — True Grit’s

📚 May 13 (Wed) | Study Day Pop-up — University Center

🍦 May 19 (Tue) | Ice Cream Social — True Grit’s

Mark your calendars and come grab a bite with your friends! Good luck with your finals, Retrievers—you've got this!

Spring 2026 Graduate Assistant Town Hall

Where: Commons 329 (in-person) + Virtual (Webex): link • Password: mMPJvnc87g8

 When: Friday, may 8th, 12-1pm 

 Who: Graduate Assistants only (TAs, RAs, graders, peaceworkers)

Format: 60 minutes · in-person + hybrid

Join GAAC for our Spring 2026 Graduate Assistant Town Hall — a full hour of report-backs, a Q&A panel with Graduate School leadership, and an open floor for the issues that matter most to GAs. This is the last GAAC-wide gathering before our May 19 Meet & Confer with the President and Graduate School administration, and what comes out of this room shapes what we carry into it.

Free pizza & drinks (veg/halal options) — grab a slice, share your voice!

🎁 T-Shirt Giveaway — limited edition GSA - GAAC Spring 2026

Two steps to grab one:

1. Complete the GAAC input survey online before the Town Hall → [survey link]
2. Show up in person — bring your survey confirmation, and we'll hand you a t-shirt at the door, while supplies last.

Survey responses also feed directly into our Meet & Confer prep, so you're shaping the agenda either way.

What's on the agenda

1. Welcome & GAAC overview 

2. GAAC Updates: What We've Done For You 

• Health insurance update 
• GA Lifecycle & Payroll Continuity 
• Funding Continuity & Cost of Living 
  
  3. Q&A Panel — Sunji Jangha, Senior Assistant Dean, Graduate School 
  
  4. GSWU Presentation (20 minutes — information only, GAAC neutral) Graduate Students United Workers will share information about their work. Questions for GSWU should be directed to their representatives during their segment.
  
  5. Closing & how to stay connected — Including details on the May 19 Meet & Confer and the t-shirt giveaway draw.

Why attend

• Hear concrete updates from this semester's Meet & Confer cycle, what's moved, what's still open
• Put questions directly to Senior Assistant Dean Sunji Jangha
• Help prioritize what GAAC carries into the May 19 Meet & Confer
• Meet your college's GAAC representative
• Submit concerns openly or anonymously

How to participate

• RSVP on the [myUMBC event page] so we can plan food and seating
• Complete the input survey to qualify for the t-shirt giveaway and shape the agenda: [survey link]
• Prefer to stay anonymous? Use the GAAC Submit Concerns form: [link]

Questions? Email gsagaac@umbc.edu or visit us at Commons 308.
Follow GAAC on myUMBC for weekly benefit/policy tips.

Getting ready to move out for summer break? Consider donating your gently used items to the Retriever Re-Store, UMBC’s move out donation collection program that aims to redistribute the items to other students who can give them a new life!

Donate items such as:

Kitchen appliances 

School supplies

Small furniture 

Desk organizers

Decorative items

Arts + Crafts 

Pots/pans and dishes

Mirrors

Non perishable food items

and more! 

At this time, we will NOT accept clothing, bedding, or items that should be trashed.

You can find donation collection bins near your RA desk in each residence hall, the ACC lobby, and Walker clubhouse starting May 6th through the close of the semester! Shop for free from collected donations at the Retriever Re-Store pop up shop in Upper Flat Tuesdays.

Want to drop off donations directly to the store? Schedule a drop off appointment with us via email at sustainability@umbc.edu

Help us divert waste from the landfill and redistribute pre-loved goods for free among our campus community! Sign up for a collection volunteeer shift to get first dibs on incoming donations. Email the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@umbc.edu with any concerns or questions.

Free legal support can make a real difference.

Retriever Support Services is sharing a pro bono initiative offering free legal advice for tenants. This opportunity is open to everyone, with 30-minute in-person or virtual appointments available.

Appointments are available on May 13 and May 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To book a slot, email OCSS@umbc.edu. For questions, contact Dr. Flores at GFLORES2@umbc.edu.

Please share this resource with anyone who may benefit from it.

Start your morning the UMBC commuter way.

Join us for breakfast with fellow commuters and connect with helpful on-campus resources. There's no better way to kick off your day!

Good Morning Commuters (GMC) takes place every Tuesday from 8:30–11:00 AM *except once a month when Good afternoon Commuters (GAC) is held* and is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC event (cash only):

• $5 for Commuter Students

• $10 for Residential & Graduate Students

We can't wait to see you there!

May is all about finishing strong, staying connected, and making the most of commuter community before the semester wraps up.

Good Morning and Good Afternoon Commuters are here to help you fuel up, take a break, and enjoy some well-deserved community time before finals.

Gold Cards are a one-time purchase per academic year and can be bought at any GMC/GAC event (cash only):

$5 for Commuter Students
$10 for Residential & Graduate Students

Here’s what’s coming up this May:

GMC 5/5: Traditional Breakfast
GAC 5/12: BBQ Edition

Stop by Coffee Mondays to grab a free cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and take a breather between classes.

Whether you're coming to study, chat, or just refuel, this is your weekly reminder to slow down and connect with fellow grad students.

Where? Office of Graduate Student Life (Commons 308)
When? Every Monday | 10am - 2pm

Come as you are — pajamas, laptops, and coffee orders welcome.

Hi everyone!

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