Following guidance from the University System of Maryland in the rapidly developing public health response to COVID-19, UMBC is canceling classes this Thursday and Friday (March 12 – 13, 2020) to provide students, staff, and faculty time to prepare for transition to fully online instruction when classes resume after Spring Break. We expect online instruction to continue for at least two weeks. The university will remain open for other essential purposes, and academic and administrative offices are preparing for remote delivery of student services and other essential operations.

Students should plan to not return to campus for the two weeks following spring break, as they take courses online rather than in person. Staff should plan to return to work on Thursday, March 19. Campus events will be canceled through April 6. Following guidance from the Governor, all university-related out-of-state travel is currently suspended.

We know that our community members will have many questions following this message. The campus Crisis Management Executive Team, chaired by Vice Presidents Lynne Schaefer and Nancy Young, will communicate more information in the days ahead for staff, faculty, and students. This information will include guidance for students who will need to continue to access on-campus housing, further instructions for online teaching for faculty, and telework options for staff.

If you have urgent questions at this time, please contact covid19@umbc.edu.