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Dear UMBC Community,
In recent weeks, concerns and questions about the potential for federal immigration enforcement at UMBC have risen to a new level. The ever-increasing online visibility of enforcement actions and shifts in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s strategy nationwide have understandably caused anxiety across our country and at UMBC.
Today, I want to remind you of guidance, information, and resources that may be of assistance to you and provide clarity during these uncertain times.
Key resources and information
First, our federal orders and actions website contains detailed information and communications about federal actions and their impacts on our UMBC community. You will find a web page that covers guidance related to federal immigration law enforcement, and links to the Office of International Students and Scholars immigration policy updates, which features recent clarifications regarding the entry ban on certain H1-B employees.
Role of the UMBC Police Department
I also want to address the important role of the UMBC Police Department in responding to federal immigration enforcement notifications and actions. Should you receive a request from external law enforcement for information, records, or access to non-public space on campus, immediately notify the Police Department at (410) 455-5555. They will coordinate with relevant university officials and respond to the request. The Police Department and my office—the Office of General Counsel—will work together to ensure that any contact with outside law enforcement agencies, including federal agencies, is handled lawfully, carefully, and with the safety and privacy of our community in mind.
Will federal immigration enforcement notify UMBC of plans to come to campus?
Several of you have asked if federal immigration enforcement will notify our Police Department of any plans to come to UMBC. Federal law enforcement personnel are not required to notify campus or local law enforcement before entering public spaces. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have previously indicated that, as a matter of professional courtesy, they would contact our Police Department if they plan to visit or operate on our campus. While that notification would be greatly appreciated, there is no legal requirement for advance notice, and federal agencies may conduct lawful activity in public areas without prior coordination.
If the Police Department becomes aware of the presence of federal law enforcement personnel on campus, they will immediately work with university leadership and my office to confirm legal authority and purpose, ensure compliance with Maryland law and university policy, determine the appropriate response, and take all lawful steps to protect the safety and well-being of our community.
Campus communications
Many of you have inquired about communications to the campus community. Consistent with regular university procedures, if a situation presents a safety concern or results in a significant disruption to normal campus operations, the Police Department will promptly use its established emergency and safety communication systems, such as UMBC Alerts, to keep the UMBC community informed. If you have not yet signed up for UMBC Alerts, please consider doing so.
The department will partner with university leadership, including my office, to ensure consistent, timely, and lawful communication. If the activity is lawful, limited in scope, and there is no direct safety impact, the Police Department, my office, and university leadership will monitor and manage the situation appropriately, and communicate updates as necessary through official university channels, which include UMBC Alerts, and emails through myUMBC.
Please be assured that the shared goal of the Police Department, my office, and university leadership is to protect and support our university community and maintain open communication and mutual trust. We are committed to reinforcing safety, care, and belonging at UMBC. Should you have any further questions, please contact my office at ogc@umbc.edu or call the UMBC Police Department at (410) 455-5555.
Thank you.
Regards,
Paul Meggett
Vice President and General Counsel
First year graduate students: Getting ready to submit your NSF GRFP application due November 10th - 14th? The Graduate School & GSPD are offering a GRFP & FELLOWSHIP BOOTCAMP!
This in-person workshop, facilitated by Dr. Michael Westrate, will guide you through tools and tactics to refine your NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) application before submission. You'll also learn strategies that apply broadly to other fellowship applications. Winners of this fellowship get more than $159,000 total (3 years of funding) towards their graduate education. Competition is steep, but UMBC has a proud history of several undergraduate and graduate students winning this prestigious fellowship, and we are committed to helping more students achieve this success!
This hands-on session is designed to help both senior undergraduates and first year graduate students prepare strong, competitive applications.
Sunday, October 26, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Administration Building, Lecture Hall 101
Pizza lunch will be provided.
Come ready to polish your statements, get feedback, and strengthen your materials before the GRFP November deadlines!
Please click "going" in the original post if you plan to attend so we can ensure there is sufficient food and send you reminders and resources to succeed.
The Public Health Research Center (PHRC) of CAHSS invites UMBC faculty from ALL UMBC departments to apply for Faculty Affiliate status--a three-year renewable term for scholars whose research aligns with PHRC's interdisciplinary mission to advance public health through collaboration.
As a PHRC Faculty Affiliate, you'll gain:
· Access and involvement with a vibrant community of health scholars
· Recognition on PHRC's website, annual report, and communications
· Priority access to PHRC grant services (grant review, Write On! support, GenAI assistance)
· Timely funding updates and research networking opportunities
· A chance to mentor junior investigators shaping UMBC's health research community
How to
apply:
Simply upload a single document (1-page
statement + current CV) to our PHRC Box folder found on the call or our website.
See attached call or our website for full information https://phrc.umbc.edu/
Reach out with any questions to PHRC@umbc.edu
The Graduate School is searching for a tenured faculty member to fill the open Associate Dean for Graduate Education position, ideally to begin in January 2026. This is a twelve-month appointment with the possibility of renewal on an annual basis. Nominations and self-nominations are welcomed.
Potential candidates must possess:
at least five years of experience as a graduate faculty member to include some leadership experience at the department and/or institutional level (e.g., as a graduate program director, department chair, etc.)
a significant record of scholarship, teaching, and supervision of masters and/or doctoral students
a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and student success
level of service experience appropriate for a tenured associate or full professor
Please submit nominations and self-nominations to Lauren Cummings (laurenc6@umbc.edu), no later than Friday, November 14 by 5 p.m. Nominations and self-nominations should include a 1-2-page statement and the prospective candidate's current C.V. Finalists will be interviewed immediately, with the goal of announcing an appointment by the end of the semester.
Position description:
]]>Dear UMBC Community,
In recent weeks, concerns and questions about the potential for federal immigration enforcement at UMBC have risen to a new level. The ever-increasing online visibility of enforcement actions and shifts in Immigration and Customs Enforcement's strategy nationwide have understandably caused anxiety across our country and at UMBC.
Today, I want to remind you of guidance, information, and resources that may be of assistance to you and provide clarity during these uncertain times.
Key resources and information
First, our federal orders and actions website contains detailed information and communications about federal actions and their impacts on our UMBC community. You will find a web page that covers guidance related to federal immigration law enforcement, and links to the Office of International Students and Scholars immigration policy updates, which features recent clarifications regarding the entry ban on certain H1-B employees.
Role of the UMBC Police Department
I also want to address the important role of the UMBC Police Department in responding to federal immigration enforcement notifications and actions. Should you receive a request from external law enforcement for information, records, or access to non-public space on campus, immediately notify the Police Department at (410) 455-5555. They will coordinate with relevant university officials and respond to the request. The Police Department and my office—the Office of General Counsel—will work together to ensure that any contact with outside law enforcement agencies, including federal agencies, is handled lawfully, carefully, and with the safety and privacy of our community in mind.
Will federal immigration enforcement notify UMBC of plans to come to campus?
Several of you have asked if federal immigration enforcement will notify our Police Department of any plans to come to UMBC. Federal law enforcement personnel are not required to notify campus or local law enforcement before entering public spaces. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have previously indicated that, as a matter of professional courtesy, they would contact our Police Department if they plan to visit or operate on our campus. While that notification would be greatly appreciated, there is no legal requirement for advance notice, and federal agencies may conduct lawful activity in public areas without prior coordination.
If the Police Department becomes aware of the presence of federal law enforcement personnel on campus, they will immediately work with university leadership and my office to confirm legal authority and purpose, ensure compliance with Maryland law and university policy, determine the appropriate response, and take all lawful steps to protect the safety and well-being of our community.
Campus communications
Many of you have inquired about communications to the campus community. Consistent with regular university procedures, if a situation presents a safety concern or results in a significant disruption to normal campus operations, the Police Department will promptly use its established emergency and safety communication systems, such as UMBC Alerts, to keep the UMBC community informed. If you have not yet signed up for UMBC Alerts, please consider doing so.
The department will partner with university leadership, including my office, to ensure consistent, timely, and lawful communication. If the activity is lawful, limited in scope, and there is no direct safety impact, the Police Department, my office, and university leadership will monitor and manage the situation appropriately, and communicate updates as necessary through official university channels, which include UMBC Alerts, and emails through myUMBC.
Please be assured that the shared goal of the Police Department, my office, and university leadership is to protect and support our university community and maintain open communication and mutual trust. We are committed to reinforcing safety, care, and belonging at UMBC. Should you have any further questions, please contact my office at ogc@umbc.edu or call the UMBC Police Department at (410) 455-5555.
Thank you.
Regards,
Paul Meggett
Vice President and General Counsel