Stay up to date with Council of Universtiy System Staff (CUSS) goings on with the Summer 2026 newsletter. You can read the prettier version on Sway, or download the attached PDF.

I'm a senior undergraduate looking for a female roommate to share a 2BR apartment, close to UMBC main campus(about 12 min drive) and bus shuttle. Rental available to move in immediately or from early August till December or later if needed.

• Fully furnished living room and kitchen
• Private room and bathroom included
• Washer and dryer included, cable ready
• Rent will about $900/month (Wifi included)
• Flexible move in around August/ early August preferred 
• Security deposit: one month rent
• Pet friendly (but no big dogs)

Please contact me if interested: noellad1@umbc.edu

Phone #: 2404959832

thereserveatstonegateapts.com

Looking for an opportunity to meet with your mentor/mentee?  Consider attending the Exempt and Non-Exempt Staff Senates Annual UMBC Staff Cookout together.  This can be a good opportunity for fellowship and food!  Details for the cookout can be found at the end of this post.

Members from the ESS Mentoring Committee (please see the committee list below) plan to be in attendance.  Feel free to flag one of us down if you want to speak with us about the mentoring program or just want to say hi!

Hope to see you all there!

ESS Mentoring Committee Members

Alison Larsen
Charlito Iwuagwu
Dann Malihom - Co-Chair
Deanna Cerquetti
Griselda Flores
Michael Hunt
Ray Soellner
Steve Harris - Co-Chair

Cookout Details per the July Exempt Staff Senate Newsletter:

Who? Open to all UMBC staff members

When? Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 11:30 a.m - 1 p.m

Where? The Commons Terrace

What? Classic BBQ food (including vegetarian options)

This event is open for full participation by all UMBC staff 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.

On Friday, July 31, 2026, between the hours of 6AM and 9AM, the University will be temporarily shutting down the roadway, sidewalks, and building access north of the Fine Arts Building as shown in red on the attached image. The crane is needed to hoist new mechanical equipment to the roof of the Fine Arts Building.


The 5th Floor offices on the north wing of Fine Arts shown in yellow on the attached image will need to be vacated during this timeframe. The 5th floor area to be vacated consists of room numbers 503 through 533, including 5th floor stair well lobby 5CL1-1 and bathroom 502.

We ask all members of the campus community to avoid the restricted work area, follow posted signage, and comply with directions provided by the Contractor and UMBC Police. Please reach out to Ty Orner (torner@umbc.edu) if you have any questions about the Crane Lift. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this important project to improve the Fine Arts building. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment throughout this operation.

The Student Media Collective (SMC) is UMBC's home for student storytelling, journalism, broadcasting, creative expression, and scholarly publishing. Through The Retriever, WMBC, Bartleby, and The Review, students create media that informs, challenges, entertains, and connects our campus community. More than a collection of publications, SMC is a collaborative learning community where students gain hands-on experience, develop leadership and professional skills, and discover the power of media to build relationships, strengthen civic life, and tell stories that matter. Whether you're reporting the news, producing a radio show, publishing original art, or sharing undergraduate research, there's a place for you in the Student Media Collective.

Public Policy Ph.D. candidate Liran Laor has authored a new article on how a Montgomery County program helped Afghan refugee women enter the early childcare workforce, addressing a gap in child care availability and helping to stabilize refugee families. 

Read the article in Exchange Magazine, a publication of Exchange Press, which promotes the work of early childhood education and care professionals.

The Maryland Department of Aging has been working hard on making our state Longevity Ready and it is now being recognized by AARP.  Read more by clicking the link below:

https://aging.maryland.gov/news/age-friendly-maryland

Fall 2026 Paid Internship Opportunities: 

Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop is now accepting applications for Fall 2026 internships in Washington, DC.

This is an opportunity to do meaningful work alongside a team that believes in the transformative power of books, writing, and community.

Prison Book Club Internship

Work with incarcerated members across the country by helping type poetry, respond to letters, support book club programming, and contribute to our member magazine, Free Minds Connect.

Reentry Book Club Internship

Support formerly incarcerated members as they transition home by assisting with reentry programming, technology support, advocacy initiatives, and community engagement events. 

Both internships offer real, hands-on experience in a community-rooted organization doing work that matters.

Duration: September 2026 - December 2026
Hours per Week: 10–20 hours per week (hybrid in Washington, DC)
Stipend/Wage: $18.50/hour
Application deadline: August 16

If you are passionate about social justice, literature, and community-based work, Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop would love to hear from you.


For more information about internship and other volunteer opportunities, visit

https://freemindsbookclub.org/get-involved/intern-with-us/

Ready for an unforgettable experience? Join UMBC Hillel on a FREE 10-day Birthright Israel trip from January 5–17, 2027! 🇮🇱

Travel across Israel, meet new friends from UMBC, and be part of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with culture, history, and fun. 🌎💙

👉 Register now: hillel.org/trip/umbc

🎁 Bonus: Sign up OR recruit a friend and earn exclusive swag, gift cards, and more!

⏰ Deadline: October 22 at 11:59 PM EST
Spots are limited and fill quickly — don’t wait!

👀 Open to ages 18–32
If you’re 27–32 and want to be placed with a group closer to your age, reach out and Danielle can help match you.

Questions or thinking about it? Email Danielle at dhb@umbc.edu — happy to chat! 😊

This trip is not sponsored by UMBC.

PHIL 368  :  Aesthetics

TTh  2:30-3:45pm in PAHB 229

with Dr. Mark Hopwood

An exploration of central philosophical issues concerning art and art criticism. Topics to be discussed may include the nature of beauty, aesthetic evaluations, the identity of works of art, the relation of art to morality, the relation between art and nature, the status of aesthetic experience and perception. Readings will be drawn from historical and contemporary sources.

GEP : AH