Dear Students,

You are almost there! As we head into finals week, we want you to know that UMBC is here to support both your academic success and your well-being. This can be a stressful time of year, and it is more than okay to ask for help.

If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, we encourage you to utilize the many health and wellness resources available to support your well-being. If you are concerned about someone else, don't know where to begin, or are in need of food or other basic need support, Retriever Care and Retriever Essential Needs and Connections are available to help. (Retriever Essentials has updated hours for finals week and winter break.) If you just need a break, drop by the Retriever Activities Center.

Finals Week Support and Events

For support during Study Day, we encourage you to drop into StudyCon at the library to relax and refuel. You can also swing by Donut Stress just outside of the library between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Additionally, if you need research help, the Library's Research Help Desk will be open extended hours December 8 through 16.

Below you will find the final exam schedule, how to view your grades, and official transcript information for fall 2025 graduates.

Final Exam Information

General final exam schedule

• Please confirm dates and times with your instructor.
• If the university is closed for any reason (e.g., inclement weather), final exams move to the next available weekday. The first available weekday after finals is Friday, December 19.

Viewing Your Grades

Instructors submit grades Wednesday, December 10, through Friday, January 2.

• View your fall semester grades as they are posted on your myUMBC account.
• Transcripts will not reflect updated end-of-term summaries (i.e., updated GPA, repeated courses, academic standing, semester honors, etc.) until Thursday, January 8.

Transcripts for Fall 2025 Graduates

Applicants for fall 2025 graduation

• Eligible undergraduate students will see their degrees on their official transcripts starting January 14.
• Eligible graduate students will see their degrees on their official transcripts starting January 26.
• For more information, please refer to the Grading Schedule.

To Our Graduating Students

Many of you are also preparing to graduate next week. We are proud of all you have accomplished and wish you every success in the future. Congratulations, and we hope you will remain connected to UMBC as alumni.

Best of luck on your finals. We wish you a restorative break and a wonderful start to the new year. Whether you are returning in 2026 or graduating this month, we are cheering you on every step of the way.

Sincerely,

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

Renique T. Kersh
Vice President for Student Affairs

UMBC's Ethics Bowl team Won the Chesapeake Regional Ethics Bowl this past weekend! Extra special congratulations to Tafat Boudif and Aziza Mattaka, members of the team and Humanities Scholars. Woo hoo! Let's all cheer for our Hum Scholar friends!

See details from the Philosophy Department here!

Hey Retrievers 

Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to our community? Join Retriever Essentials! We're a student-staff-faculty partnership dedicated to supporting food access on campus — and right now we need volunteers to help make a difference. 

Why It Matters

• Retriever Essentials provides free groceries, toiletries, baby supplies, and meal swipes to any UMBC community member who needs them. 

• Food insecurity among college students is real. Having access to nutritious meals and essentials supports students' physical and mental health, and helps ensure they can focus on their studies. 

What You Can Do

• Volunteer at the "Essential Space" free-store, help with food distribution, or support events like our Free Farmers' Market. 

• Help spread the word, donate items if you can, or contribute by supporting meal-swipe sharing. 

Getting involved is easy — just sign up via this link: Meal Recovery Sign-Up Sheet.

Every bit of help counts. Let's come together as a UMBC community to make sure no Retriever has to worry about their next meal.

Visit Retriever Essentials myUMBC page for more info!

Thanks & Go Retrievers!

Final stretch of the semester? We've got something just for you.

Free Community Acupuncture for Finals Week Stress
Friday, December 12, 2–3:30 PM
Center for Well-Being, Room 118 (Drop in anytime)

Getting ready to move out or just doing some spring cleaning? Consider donating your gently used items to the Retriever Re-Store, UMBC's move out donation collection program that aims to redistribute the items to other students who can give them a new life!

Donate items such as:

Kitchen appliances 

School supplies

Small furniture 

Desk organizers

Decorative items

Arts + Crafts 

Pots/pans and dishes

Mirrors

Non perishable food items

and more! 

At this time, we will NOT accept clothing, bedding, or items that should be trashed.

You can find donation collection bins near your RA desk in each residence hall, the ACC lobby, and Walker clubhouse starting today, December 8th through the close of the residence halls! Shop for free from collected donations at the Retriever Re-Store pop up shop in Upper Flat Tuesdays.

Want to drop off donations directly to the store? Schedule a drop off appointment with us via email at sustainability@umbc.edu

Help us divert waste from the landfill and redistribute pre-loved goods for free among our campus community! Email the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@umbc.edu with any concerns or questions.