Welcoming New Students

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 11:48:48 -0400

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As we launch our summer new student orientation activities for undergraduate students, we are very excited to welcome the largest first-year class in the University’s history! We invite you to join us as we engage, connect, and welcome our new students to the UMBC campus community. In particular, we encourage you to:

Review the Online Orientation Module
This year we are once again hosting the Orientation program through a virtual, online platform. You can experience first-hand how our newest Retrievers are engaging with our campus community. Start by visiting our interactive online modules and selecting “Guest Login.” From there, “Create a New Guest Account” and follow the prompts to gain access to the modules. As a guest you will see content designed for our first year students. We have also built out separate pathways of content for transfer students and our students at the Universities at Shady Grove.

Explore the Orientation Website
On the Orientation site, you can watch the family orientation session videos, see additional presentation materials, check out the Optional In-Person Orientation Events (small group activities), and read about the “Top Reasons to Get Hyped for UMBC.”

Celebrate New Students with A Virtual Background
Visit the UMBC Style Guide to download your background welcoming new students.

Participate in Welcome Week and Retriever Fest
We are excited to be offering a more robust and in person Welcome Week for our new students! Visit the Welcome Week website to get the most up-to-date plans on events or please reach out to welcomeweek@umbc.edu with questions or updates. Departments can reserve a table for Retriever Fest, taking place during new student move-in day on Saturday, August 28, to advertise their programs and services. Please email welcomeweek@umbc.edu if you are interested in reserving a table for this event.

New Student Orientation and Welcome Week are truly collaborative efforts and we would like to thank all of our campus partners for their work in helping to arrange such an informative and engaging experience. If students you are working with have questions about their enrollment for the Fall, please feel free to reach out to Gina King, Associate Director, Recruitment, Events, and Orientation, at gking@umbc.edu. For questions about Welcome Week activities, please contact Jen Dress, Associate Director, Campus Life, at dress@umbc.edu.

Thank you for all you do to welcome our new students.

Dale Bittinger, Assistant Vice Provost, Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation
Brittini Brown, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs