We are deeply grateful for the students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends who have collaborated with and inspired us. Thank you for being part of our story. Let’s keep writing it together.
Dear Campus Community,
As a result of the government shutdown, the FAA has determined that it will begin reducing air traffic at select airports. Airlines will phase in the cuts at the direction of the FAA, eliminating 4% of flights at 40 airports as of today and working up to 10%, BWI is one of those airports.
Many community members have reached out to Business Services to ask, if they make other travel arrangements, due to the disruption in air service, will this be reimbursed even though this may not be the least expensive mode of transportation?
The circumstances causing our community members to choose alternate, and in many cases more expensive, modes of transportation are beyond our control. As you are making your alternate plans, be assured that as long as your Division leadership approves the changes and the increase in expense, we will support you in getting them reimbursed.
The leadership team will continue to monitor travel expenses during this period of uncertainty and disruption. If the increased cost of travel becomes unsustainable, additional guidance and/or restrictions may be necessary.
We would advise you to consider:
Here are some FAQ's to guide you as you consider alternate travel arrangements:
If time permits it would be best practice to get a new pre approval. However, in many cases time is of the essence and processing a new pre approval may not be practical. In these cases, we advise that the traveler send an email to their approver advising them of the change and the additional cost, prior to booking. A simple one word "approved" email response, will be sufficient as a pre approval.
If upgrades that would normally be outside of policy are the only options available, discuss it with your travel approver and make sure they are aware of the financial impact. Follow the above guidance regarding preapprovals in this case.
If you are away from campus and trying to get home, feel confident that we are going to support your efforts to get home. If you booked your travel through Altour our travel management partner, we suggest you contact them and they can assist you in your alternate arrangements. Phone: 800-333-2115
Stop by the Fireside Lounge for some free coffee, bagels, pastries and more!
]]>Join the Center for Social Justice Dialogue for a fun and reflective evening of storytelling, dialogue, and community! We'll be learning about the importance of storytelling and how stories can be told through stitching. Come for a chance to stitch your own story, make some new friends, and enjoy some snacks and refreshments.
Storytelling is a powerful and multifaceted practice that is deeply rooted in our identities, values, experiences, and connections with each other. With the upcoming holiday season, highlighting and centering Indigenous stories and voices is essential in challenging and decolonizing dominant narratives.
At our event, we'll learn about the importance of storytelling and how stories have been told through stitching, especially in Indigenous communities, then have the opportunity to do our own stitching and storytelling. Come for a chance to stitch your own story, make new friends, and enjoy some snacks and refreshments.
Visit this event page to RSVP (helpful, but not required to attend), or copy-and-paste the following URL into your browser: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/148027
To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please get in touch with the Center for Social Justice Dialogue via email, csjdialogue@umbc.edu, with "Stitching Your Story" in the subject line. This event is open for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy."
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November is National Native American Heritage Month, a crucial time for our community to move beyond reflection and actively center the enduring contributions, brilliance, and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands for generations.
UMBC is situated on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples. While we acknowledge the historical significance of this land, we must also recognize that citizens of countless Indigenous nations continue to live, work, and lead in this region and across the nation. This month, we invite our community to honor not just the past, but the vital and ongoing presence, diverse perspectives, and unwavering voices of all Native and Indigenous peoples.
Native and Indigenous communities are not a single entity; they encompass a rich diversity of over 574 federally recognized (including many more unrecognized) nations, hundreds of languages, and millennia of unique cultures.
The contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples are foundational to this nation, yet they are routinely unrecognized, underappreciated, and erased. This erasure from history books, media, and public consciousness is not accidental; it is a profound injustice that continues to limit the visibility and influence of Native individuals and communities today.
We must actively work to restore the visibility and respect that Native and Indigenous peoples deserve by acknowledging their profound impact in areas such as environmental stewardship. How Native communities have historically engaged in sustainable agriculture, conservation practices, and embodied ecological knowledge that informs modern environmentalism.
It is essential to understand that Native nations and peoples are still fighting to be fully seen and to have their rights respected. Their struggles for tribal sovereignty, land rights, healthcare, and resource protection often remain on the political margins.
The historical call to honor Native peoples dates back over a century, beginning with efforts like the American Indian Association's plan for an American Indian Day in the early 1900s. Since 1990, when President George H. W. Bush signed the first resolution, the observance has evolved, but the need for active recognition remains urgent.
This Native American Heritage Month, let us commit to celebrating and elevating the resilience, leadership, and untold stories of Native peoples, ensuring their crucial contributions and needs are not unseen.
Join the Indigenous Peoples Union on Saturday, November 15th, from 2 PM to 6 PM for BAIC's 49th Annual Powwow at the Timonium Fairgrounds. As part of IPU's initiative for bridging on and off-campus relationships, they're offering transportation to the annual powwow hosted by the Baltimore American Indian Center! This will be the 49th year that the center has hosted its annual powwow, marking 49 years of sacred intertribal celebrations of life, heritage, and community! They're excited to honor these traditions with sharing food, dances, and just spending time with one another. To learn more about the event and IPU, check out the original myUMBC post here. You can also follow their Instagram page for more events and information.
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Looking to engage locally? Check out the Baltimore American Indian Center. In addition to the BAIC's 49th Annual Powwow, the center holds a museum where guests can learn more about local history, view exhibitions, and enroll in classes/programs.
Looking to learn more about Maryland's Native and Indigenous resources, click here for the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs.
Eligibility:
Self-nominations only
Separate awards and entries for Master's and PhD students
$50 prize for each winner
Winners are automatically entered for the Grad Student of the Year Award, presented at GSA Awards Night
Timeline:
Nominations close: 15th of every month
Results announced: 20th of every month
Unselected entries will automatically be considered for the next month
Need a mid-day boost? Stop by Commons 308 for free coffee from Dunkin' Donuts — while supplies last!
Come grab a cup, chat with fellow grad students, and recharge before your next class.
Hurry — it's first come, first served!