Important reminders: Please read!

Thanks to the generous donations of the UMBC community, the Save-a-Swipe program has seen record-setting results this fall! The program allows community members to donate meal swipes, creating a pool of meals that become available to students who have been identified by trained staff as experiencing food insecurity. Save-a-Swipe is a collaboration between Retriever Essentials, Retriever Card Center, and Dining Services.

• Fall 2025:  1,050 meal swipes were donated to the program from meal plan holders.

• Spring 2025:  1,050 meal swipes were donated to the program from meal plan holders.

• Fall 2024:  260 meal swipes were donated to the program (110 from meal plan holders + 150 from Dining Services/Chartwells).

• Spring 2024:  315 meal swipes were donated to the program (165 from meal plan holders + 150 from Dining Services/Chartwells).

Given the amazing growth in donations, Dining Services will be working with Retriever Essentials on alternative ways to support the pantry.

Community members also have the opportunity to donate food and other items to Retriever Essentials through Parking Services' Food for Fines program, and have one parking citation of $50 or less reduced to a warning. The program is now running through November 14 at 4 p.m. 

The Division of Institutional Equity joins the Indigenous Peoples Union and our many campus community members in recognizing and honoring Native American Heritage Month.

National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November to honor the traditions, languages, and stories of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island communities, ensuring their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. This month, the Division of Institutional Equity invites you to engage through our "Read, Watch, Listen, Participate" list to celebrate, connect, and explore on and off campus.

To request accommodation(s) or to inquire about event accessibility, please get in touch with each program office directly. All sessions are open for full participation by 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..

Events
November 15 | 2pm - 6pm | Timonium Fairgrounds
Indigenous Peoples Union Retreat 

Join IPU at the Baltimore American Indian Center's 49th Powwow to engage in sacred intertribal celebrations of life, heritage, and community. More information about the event, registration and transportation can be found here.

Explore

Engage in a virtual tour to learn about American Indian Historic Spaces and Places in East Baltimore, a project by Dr. Ashley Minner, a former UMBC professor.

Read

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
• Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• Lost Kingdom: Hawaii's Last Queen, the Sugar Kings and America's First Imperial Adventure by Julia Flynn Siler
• We Are Water Protectors by  Carole Lindstrom

Watch

• Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner.
• Rez Ball
• Te Ata
• The Grizzlies
• Rutherford Falls (comedy series) 

Listen

• All My Relations podcast
• Native Pride playlist 
• Toasted Sister Podcast
• Indigenous Music Spotlight playlist 

On 11/7/2025 OPRC will be hosting our third in a series of research security webinars this semester.  This session will focus on Malign Foreign Talent Programs, how to recognize a potential MFTRP and who to contact if you suspect you may encountered one.  

Session 3: Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRPs)

Meeting Link

Friday, November 7 at noon

●        MFTRPs are designed to exploit and/or illegally obtain US technology and research and differ from collaborative foreign engagements that are beneficial to all parties

●        Federal policy on MFTRPs

●        Key signs of a potential MFTRP

●        Who to alert—and when—if you receive a suspicious solicitation

SAP Concur Launch Week: Day Two!

We're here to help as you get started in the new travel system, SAP Concur.
Join us today from 9:00–11:00 AM and 12:00–2:00 PM — we'll be live in the UC Lobby in front of the Center for Global Engagement (Room 207) and also available virtually on Webex for one-on-one support.

If you can't make it in person or online, you can always email us your questions at travel@umbc.edu.

In addition, SAP Concur provides User Support Desk assistance directly to all UMBC travelers. You can access it right within Concur for help with system navigation or troubleshooting.

And don't forget to visit our new website at travel.umbc.edu for the Interim Travel Policy, FAQs, discounts, training links, and more.

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Instructional Technology is pleased to offer four workshops on digital accessibility and Ally, available at no cost to UMBC faculty and staff, through July 31, 2026 using a special registration link and code. Created by Blackboard, the available workshops are designed to give you practical skills and a deep understanding of creating accessible and inclusive course content.

Workshop #1: Accessibility Fundamentals

This foundational training is designed to provide participants with a broad understanding of accessibility issues in educational environments. Participants will learn how disabilities can limit access to electronic instructional materials and what they can do to make their course content as accessible as possible to the greatest number of learners.

Workshop #2: Writing Effective Alt Text

Alternative text is a key component of digital accessibility, ensuring that all learners can engage with visual content. Participants will begin with the fundamentals of alternative text, exploring its definition, significance, and how context shapes what makes it meaningful and effective. In addition to learning how to write high-quality alt text, participants will receive practical instruction on how to add alt text in commonly used tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat. 

Workshop #3: Introducing Ally to Learners

Creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment goes beyond just providing accessible content -- it requires clear, intentional communication with students. Introducing Ally to Learners is designed to help instructors effectively engage with students about accessibility and empower them in their use of Ally's Alternative Formats.

Workshop #4: Empowering Learners with Ally's Alternative Formats

This training introduces the alternative formats available through Ally and explores how they support a more inclusive and flexible learning experience for all students. Participants will gain an understanding of each format -- including audio, electronic Braille, BeeLine Reader, HTML, ePub, etc. -- along with practical use cases that highlight when and how learners might benefit from each option. 

How to Get Started

There is a special process for UMBC faculty and staff to access this subscription for free, and to enroll in these workshops. Please open an RT ticket to receive the special instructions, registration code, and workshop links.

We encourage UMBC faculty and staff to take advantage of this valuable resource to further your digital accessibility training and professional development! Faculty who complete all four workshops and submit certificates to Instructional Technology can earn the new Accessibility A11y meta microcredential. Certificates must be submitted using this Google Form by the end of SP2026.

Ready to take the first step? Visit UMBC's Digital Accessibility site or run an Ally course report today. Support is also available from Student Disability Services and Instructional Technology.

Don't forget: Tuesday, November 18 is Fix Your Course Content Day! This one-day push is a chance for faculty, staff, and instructional designers to review Ally accessibility reports, make fixes, and strengthen our commitment to inclusive teaching.

"The program encouraged me to think deeply about identity, privilege, and systemic inequality, while also helping me develop skills to create meaningful social change."

"In my DoIT role, I will use what I learned at STRiVE to foster better communication and collaboration among my team. Understanding different perspectives and being mindful of diverse experiences will help me create a more supportive and inclusive work environment."