Welcome to Our Community of Inquiring Minds

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 09:48:48 -0500

Dear Members of the UMBC Community,

We are delighted to welcome you to the beginning of the spring semester. The start of a new semester provides each of us an opportunity to reflect on our shared goals and values and to reaffirm UMBC’s commitment to inclusive excellence.

We understand that this is a challenging time for our society. With national immigration policy and foreign relations once again in the spotlight, we particularly want to express our care and support for UMBC community members affected by current events. Community members experiencing challenges related to potential expansion of the travel ban or other issues are encouraged to contact International Education Services at 410-455-2624, the Division of Student Affairs at 410-455-2393, or the UMBC Counseling Center at 410-455-2472.

This semester, we are pleased to welcome Ariana Wright Arnold as director of the new Office of Equity and Inclusion in the President’s Office. She will be responsible for leading UMBC’s efforts related to Title IX and civil rights issues. We also have additional staff joining us in equity and inclusion work across campus, including new positions in Athletics, Student Affairs, the Women’s Center, and other units.

Finally, as we reflect on acts of violence that have happened across the nation and in our community of Baltimore, we ask that each of us consider how we will use our words and actions to make a difference. We are fortunate to have faculty, staff, and students involved in civic engagement and community-building both on- and off-campus. UMBC is a community where we inspire one another to reach our full potential and make an impact.

As we meet both the challenges and opportunities of society, we invite all members of our diverse UMBC family to connect with each other in the spirit of mutual respect, dignity, and understanding. The Center for Democracy and Civic Life and Mosaic Center are excellent resources for those who wish to be more engaged in this work.

Thank you for all you do to strengthen our community and best wishes for the new semester.

President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous