A Message from USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman
To Our USM Faculty and Staff,

At the end of this year’s legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed a budget closing a $3.3 billion deficit. This budget contained significant cuts to Maryland agencies, including the University System. Our USM cut must be absorbed by each of our universities.

Your campus leaders are sharing with you over the coming weeks the impact of these cuts, and how they plan to close their budget shortfall. I’m grateful for the care they’re taking to protect faculty and staff as much as possible as those plans come together.

I know this is a time of great uncertainty. In this video, I share an overview of our budget challenges and the commitments we’ve made to all of you who work so hard to advance our mission and serve our students.

Sincerely,

Jay A. Perman
Chancellor, University System of Maryland

]]> To Our USM Faculty and Staff, At the end of this year’s legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed a budget closing a $3.3 billion deficit. This budget contained significant... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150646/guest@my.umbc.edu/339f70550e3a02f8b44ef025020c1a0e/api/pixel Announcements - Faculty and Staff https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/original.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/large.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/medium.png?1691516770 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/small.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxsmall.png?1691516770 Announcements - Faculty and Staff 5 0 false Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:30:07 -0400 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:39:12 -0400 Participate in UMBC’s Brand Identity Survey
Dear Colleagues,

As part of its ongoing marketing planning efforts, University Communications and Marketing (UCM) has partnered with Hanover Research to conduct a survey to better understand faculty and staff perceptions of UMBC’s brand identity.

On Wednesday, June 11, you will receive an email invitation from Hanover Research to
complete the survey. The email will be sent from surveys@qemailserver.com, with the following subject line: Please Share Your Thoughts with UMBC.

To thank you for your time, all participants will have the chance to enter a drawing for one of 10 UMBC hooded sweatshirts.

If you do not receive an email from Hanover Research by Friday, June 13, please check your spam folder for the invitation, or reach out to jottwein@hanover-education.com for assistance.

UCM thanks you in advance for your contribution to this important project.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Regan-Butts, Assistant Vice President, University Marketing

]]> Dear Colleagues, As part of its ongoing marketing planning efforts, University Communications and Marketing (UCM) has partnered with Hanover Research to conduct a survey to better understand... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150585/guest@my.umbc.edu/9399eb671ca3a89661839a18b4b1741d/api/pixel Announcements - Faculty and Staff https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/original.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/large.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/medium.png?1691516770 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/small.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxsmall.png?1691516770 Announcements - Faculty and Staff 1 0 false Mon, 09 Jun 2025 11:21:09 -0400 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 11:26:00 -0400 Provost End-of-Year Wrap-up

Dear UMBC community, 

As I reflect back on this past academic year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Your dedication, creativity, and tireless commitment to our students and to one another have made this year a success in so many meaningful ways. On a daily basis, I am reminded about the critical role you play in making UMBC a great university and a wonderful place to work and educate.

This past year has seen considerable changes on the leadership team. I want to thank you for your patience as we continue to build a team capable of supporting UMBC 3.0 and serving the university community. This coming year we also will have over 60 new faculty members joining UMBC. We will highlight each of our new faculty members throughout the fall semester. 

Whether you were teaching in the classroom, supporting students behind the scenes, conducting research, or helping keep our campus running smoothly, your efforts have made a lasting impact. I’m especially proud of the way our community continues to lead with inclusive excellence, creating a learning environment where every student, faculty, and staff member feels supported and valued.

Your work does not go unnoticed, and I hope you can take real pride in what we’ve accomplished together. As we head into summer, I encourage you to take time to rest and recharge. You’ve earned it.

Looking ahead, I also want to share a few updates regarding our fall academic schedule: beginning academic year 2025-2026, Thanksgiving Eve (the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving, this year, November 26) will be an administrative holiday for both faculty and staff. We hope this gives you a little extra time to rest and spend with loved ones during the holiday season. For faculty members with classes on Wednesdays, please be aware that you will have one less class session than in previous years this fall as the semester will start on Wednesday, August 27. While we initially planned to start on a Monday, we will not start on a Monday until AY 2026-2027 to allow for review and modifications (as necessary) of the faculty start/end dates of contracts as well as scheduling of activities prior to the start of the semester. Click here to see the fall academic calendar. Starting AY 2026-2027, the academic year will also include a Fall Recess (Monday/Tuesday in October, specific dates TBD) as recently approved by the faculty senate.

Thank you again for everything you do. Wishing you a restful summer and looking forward to all we’ll achieve together in the year ahead.

Warmly, 

Manfred H. M. van Dulmen

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

 ]]> Dear UMBC community,  As I reflect back on this past academic year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Your dedication, creativity, and tireless commitment to our... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150462/guest@my.umbc.edu/308ff2b53ecc1d7dee5d5ef3e9b3e903/api/pixel provost Announcements - Faculty and Staff https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/original.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/large.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/medium.png?1691516770 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/small.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxsmall.png?1691516770 Announcements - Faculty and Staff 4 0 false Thu, 29 May 2025 14:33:32 -0400 Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:39:20 -0400 Commencement Streaming Information Watch the ceremonies online on Wednesday and Thursday

Dear UMBC Community, 

We invite the entire UMBC community to join us for a live stream of the 2025 Spring Commencement ceremonies.

We encourage you to celebrate on social media using #UMBCgrad. If you are unable to tune in for the live stream, a recording of the ceremony will also be available.

We hope you will join us in celebrating the Class of 2025!


Sincerely, 

The UMBC Commencement Planning Team


 ]]> Dear UMBC Community,  We invite the entire UMBC community to join us for a live stream of the 2025 Spring Commencement ceremonies. Wednesday, May 21, at 10 a.m., Graduate School Ceremony—Click... https://commencement.umbc.edu/ https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150285/guest@my.umbc.edu/44ee2b72e3e60e4f564607a93647bf8e/api/pixel commencement grad graduate livestream Announcements - Faculty and Staff https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/original.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/large.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/medium.png?1691516770 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/small.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxsmall.png?1691516770 Announcements - Faculty and Staff 0 0 false Mon, 19 May 2025 13:48:29 -0400 Alice Middleton selected as Hilltop Institute's new executive director
Dear UMBC Community,

I am delighted to announce that following a national search Alice Middleton has been selected as the fourth executive director for The Hilltop Institute at UMBC, effective June 1, 2025. Alice is a nationally recognized Medicaid subject matter expert and brings a wealth of experience to Hilltop.

Alice Middleton
Alice joined Hilltop in 2017 as chief of staff, became Hilltop’s deputy director in 2022, and has been serving as Hilltop’s interim executive director since May 1, 2024, following the retirement of Cynthia Woodcock. Alice will continue to provide leadership on programmatic strategy, direction, and delivery of client engagements for research, policy analysis, and data analytics on Medicaid, health care financing, and delivery system reform. She will lead Hilltop’s work with the institute’s long-time partner, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). She will also continue to serve as the steering committee chair for AcademyHealth’s State-University Partnership Learning Network.

UMBC originally established The Hilltop Institute in 1994 as the Center for Health Program Development and Management in a unique partnership with the Maryland Department of Health acting as a non-partisan health research organization, with expertise in Medicaid and in improving publicly financed health care systems, dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of people and communities. It comprises close to 60 staff members with a broad spectrum of expertise, from social sciences, financial analysis, economics, law, and programming.

Alice came to Hilltop from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), where she was deputy director of CMS’ Division of Eligibility and Enrollment and was responsible for establishing national Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program eligibility and enrollment policies for low-income children and adults. Prior to that, she held various director-level positions at the MDH, such as deputy director of the Office of Medicaid Planning and the director of eligibility policy and special projects in the Office of Eligibility Services. She served as the MDH’s liaison to the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange during the launch of Maryland Health Connection, the state’s insurance marketplace.

Alice earned her J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2005. She also has a bachelor’s in women’s studies from Towson University.

Please join me in congratulating Alice on this well-deserved position.

Karl V. Steiner
Vice President for Research and Creative Achievement

]]> Dear UMBC Community, I am delighted to announce that following a national search Alice Middleton has been selected as the fourth executive director for The Hilltop Institute at UMBC, effective... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150265/guest@my.umbc.edu/ce1664176da8f5b5eed604f841c51a90/api/pixel Announcements - Faculty and Staff https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/original.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/large.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/medium.png?1691516770 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/small.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxsmall.png?1691516770 Announcements - Faculty and Staff 6 0 false Mon, 19 May 2025 08:53:24 -0400 Tue, 20 May 2025 09:41:30 -0400 Nominate an Extraordinary Alum for the 2025 Alumni Awards Nominations due June 13
Dear Faculty and Staff,

Extraordinary UMBC alumni are making a difference in the world every day. We need your help identifying deserving individuals for the 2025 Alumni Awards on October 29! The UMBC Alumni Association Board of Directors is accepting nominations from faculty and staff now through June 13 in the following categories:
  • Outstanding Graduate recognizes alumni who have brought distinction to the university through personal and professional achievement.
  • Distinguished Service recognizes a graduate who has demonstrated dedication to UMBC through exceptional service to the university, its students, and alumni.
  • Young Alumni Rising Star recognizes a graduate of the last 10 years who has demonstrated professional achievement.
You can learn more about the criteria for each award category and submit a nomination by visiting www.alumni.umbc.edu/alumniawards.

Sincerely,

Stanyell Bruce
Director of Alumni Engagement

]]> Dear Faculty and Staff, Extraordinary UMBC alumni are making a difference in the world every day. We need your help identifying deserving individuals for the 2025 Alumni Awards on October 29!... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/150233/guest@my.umbc.edu/4773b020715ec171448a2dfc04253568/api/pixel Announcements - Faculty and Staff https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/original.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/large.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/medium.png?1691516770 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/small.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxsmall.png?1691516770 Announcements - Faculty and Staff 0 0 false Fri, 16 May 2025 11:25:31 -0400 UMBC Civic Learning Survey Please take 10 minutes to complete by May 23
Dear Colleagues, 

We would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete this brief survey about existing and future civic learning opportunities at UMBC. As you’ll see, the definition of “civic learning” for the purpose of the survey is broad and includes learning forums and activities not encompassed by narrower definitions. 

This effort is part of a University System of Maryland initiative to support implementation of its Vision 2030 strategic plan at each member institution. Among other things, Vision 2030 calls for courses and programs that foster an ethos of committed public engagement. 

Click here to complete the survey by Friday, May 23. 

Best, 

Ian Anson, Associate Professor, Political Science 
David Hoffman, Director, Center for Democracy and Civic Life 
Co-Chairs, UMBC Civic Learning Working Group 

]]> Dear Colleagues,  We would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete this brief survey about existing and future civic learning opportunities at UMBC. As you’ll see, the... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/149920/guest@my.umbc.edu/317c09aad164dd0945928f5d223e73ec/api/pixel Announcements - Faculty and Staff https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/original.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/large.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/medium.png?1691516770 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/small.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxsmall.png?1691516770 Announcements - Faculty and Staff 1 0 false Thu, 08 May 2025 10:27:54 -0400 Finalist Interview and On-Campus Visit for Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Candidate forum on May 8, 1 p.m., AOK Library Gallery
Dear UMBC Community,

We are pleased to announce that finalists for the senior vice provost for academic affairs position will be visiting campus to participate in candidate forums and engage with the UMBC community.

A newly envisioned position at UMBC, elevating the former role of vice provost for academic affairs, the senior vice provost will serve as an academic leader in the Office of the Provost and as the deputy provost. The most senior of the six vice provosts, the position will lead in the areas of academic resource planning and management, curricular affairs, accreditation and assessment, and large-scale initiatives. The senior vice provost will also serve as a spokesperson for academic affairs and will represent the provost and UMBC at public-facing events. 

We invite you to join us for the third candidate forum:

Candidate 3
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery

The candidate will share their academic journey, present a vision for academic affairs, and participate in an open Q&A session with attendees. The session will be moderated by Karl V. Steiner, vice president for research and creative achievement and chair of the search committee.

Your participation is vital to the selection process, and we encourage you to join us for this
important event.

Manfred H. M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

]]> Dear UMBC Community, We are pleased to announce that finalists for the senior vice provost for academic affairs position will be visiting campus to participate in candidate forums and engage... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/149848/guest@my.umbc.edu/10dd18916d8a152b2b2375025af2123d/api/pixel Announcements - Faculty and Staff https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty-staff https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/original.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xlarge.png?1691516770 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/large.png?1691516770 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/medium.png?1691516770 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/small.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xsmall.png?1691516770 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/085/0f7e4cc2ada40c840ed40083f42374c3/xxsmall.png?1691516770 Announcements - Faculty and Staff 0 0 false Wed, 07 May 2025 09:00:05 -0400 UMBC Gap Guidance regarding NSF Facility and Administration Policy

Dear Colleagues,

On Friday, May 2, The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a new 15 percent Facility & Administrative (F&A) Cost Recovery policy for implementation today,  Monday May 5, 2025. This new policy does not impact existing or continuations of existing awards.  However, it does impact new awards for already submitted, and to-be-submitted, proposals.

As you may know, UMBC’s current F&A Cost Recovery rates are approved by the federal government (HHS is our Cognizant Federal Agency for our federally-negotiated F&A Rate Agreement across all agencies) after a comprehensive process that includes an audit and review of actual expenditures, as well as an extensive negotiation.  The application of the federally approved F&A rates allows UMBC to recover the actual costs required to complete the proposed work in support of our research and creative achievement community.  

This new NSF policy has no basis on UMBC’s actual costs.  Acceptance of any rate that does not cover UMBC’s costs represents an unsustainable cost burden on UMBC. UMBC has been advised that any proposal submitted to or any approved award accepted  from NSF at the 15% F&A rate may represent legal acceptance of this capped rate for all of our federal contracts and grants. 

UMBC anticipates that, as with other agencies who have attempted similar policies, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) will be placed on this NSF F&A policy.  However, there may be a gap between such a TRO and an award issuance or proposal submission.  

Therefore, at this time, UMBC will only submit proposals to and accept awards from NSF utilizing our federally negotiated and approved F&A Cost Recovery rates.  Please understand that there is a valid concern that proposals submitted with an F&A Rate above the 15% cap may be returned to the institution without review.  We will not be able to accept any NSF awards with a 15% F&A cap at this time.

While we appreciate the potential negative impact this decision may have on members in our research and creative achievement community, we hope this gap guidance will become moot once a TRO has been issued.     

To learn more about F&A at UMBC, please see the UMBC F&A Rate Information page.      

Sincerely,

Dean A. Drake

Associate Vice President for Research and Creative Achievement


 ]]> Dear Colleagues, On Friday, May 2, The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a new 15 percent Facility & Administrative (F&A) Cost Recovery policy for implementation today,  Monday... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/149827/guest@my.umbc.edu/ab1aa704019ebaabdebe9a6edd245c48/api/pixel research Announcements - Faculty https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/original.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/large.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/medium.png?1691516856 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/small.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxsmall.png?1691516856 Announcements - Faculty 1 0 false Mon, 05 May 2025 17:59:17 -0400 Updates on Impact of Executive Orders and Federal Actions and Promotion and Tenure Reviews
Dear Colleagues,

We write today to share some updates related to the impact of executive orders and federal actions, as well as some modifications of protocols surrounding promotion and tenure reviews.

Since the start of the spring 2025 semester, faculty members across the university may have experienced disruption to their research, teaching, and service activities due to some of the recent White House Executive Orders and federal actions. Faculty research could be impacted in various ways: stop-work orders to federal grants; inability to access datasets or databases housed in or sponsored by federal agencies; or challenges in travel to present their work at national or international conferences supported by federal funds. 

Also, there may have been potential impacts on the faculty’s ability to hire students and staff to support their research using federal support. In other instances, faculty members’ community-engaged scholarship, teaching, and service may have been severely impacted due to programs being curtailed in both the public and private sectors and due to lack of resources to conduct the work. Faculty whose scholarship and teaching could be categorized as diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) may have to spend considerable time navigating the current political climate in the process of conducting and publishing their work.
 
Provost's modifications of tenure track faculty and librarian faculty promotion protocols: AY 2025 – 2026 Cycle
To address the potential impact of recent executive orders and federal actions related to research funding, curtailment or termination of DEIA initiatives, and related topics on faculty’s research, teaching, and service, the following protocol will be put in place beginning in academic year 2025 – 2026 faculty promotion and tenure (P&T) reviews. These modifications will be communicated to each level of P&T review through the provost’s annual P&T instructions, through the deans’ instructions for the development of letters to external reviewers, through the provost’s charge to the University Faculty Review Committee, and in deliberations made by department promotion and tenure committees.
 
1. If there have been any impacts on their research, teaching and/or service as a result of the executive orders and federal actions, candidates for P&T review are encouraged to reflect on such impacts in their self-assessment.
 
If the candidate mentions impacts in their self-evaluation: 
 
2. Every level of review, including outside reviewers, must consider the described impact of such executive orders and federal actions on the usual progression of our faculty towards promotion and tenure when evaluating both the work performed during this period of disruption and their potential as a scholar after promotion and/or tenure when performing on- and off-campus activities.
 
3. Each level of review must include a Statement of Affirmation that their review, and all previous levels of review, has taken into full consideration the impact of executive orders and federal actions beginning in 2025 on the candidate’s progression. 
 
[I] affirm that [my] review took into full consideration any impacts of current executive orders and federal actions on [X’s] candidacy.
 
If it is determined that any prior level of review has failed to do so in a way that may have resulted in negative consequences for the candidate, the current level of review shall inform the provost in their own report.
 
4. All letters providing guidance to external reviewers must include the following statement regarding the impact of executive orders and federal actions on P&T recommendations. 
 
When considering your recommendation regarding this P&T decision, please make sure to consider any potential effects described by the candidate associated with recent federal executive orders and federal actions impacting research, teaching, and service. This impact might include, but it is not limited to, the termination of federal support or faculty’s inability to present at conferences outside the United States. 

This statement recognizes the impact that current executive orders and federal actions might have on the research, teaching, and service of faculty going up for promotion and tenure.
 
This policy applies to the academic year 2025 – 2026 review cycle. The Office of the Provost will provide additional guidance for any promotion and tenure modifications in subsequent cycles as the impact of the executive orders and federal actions evolve. 

Sincerely,

Manfred H. M. van Dulmen
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Ana Oskoz
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
]]> Dear Colleagues, We write today to share some updates related to the impact of executive orders and federal actions, as well as some modifications of protocols surrounding promotion and tenure... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/149807/guest@my.umbc.edu/07a6b969c4a24f4890d7900d98f4c203/api/pixel federal-orders Announcements - Faculty https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/announcements-faculty https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/original.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xlarge.png?1691516856 https://assets3-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/large.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/medium.png?1691516856 https://assets2-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/small.png?1691516856 https://assets4-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xsmall.png?1691516856 https://assets1-my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/002/086/1a51210905c317353e00e00316d70bb3/xxsmall.png?1691516856 Announcements - Faculty 1 0 false Mon, 05 May 2025 14:22:01 -0400 Mon, 05 May 2025 14:24:38 -0400