To all chip users,

The maintenance on the chip cluster scheduled for Tuesday, July 28th, has been successfully completed, and the cluster is now back online and accessible. We appreciate your patience while we performed this work to optimize our storage architecture and update our software module system.

A couple things to note:

1. The module branches for 2018 and 2021 nodes have been separated. We're still working to build the modules you use most, but if you notice a module that seems to be missing from the 2018 hardware that you've used before, please file a ticket with us and we can get it rebuilt ASAP.

2. We’ve migrated all user home directories to the RRStor ceph storage cluster. Due to the change in filesystem, some users may have more or less space than they did on the old storage server. This is not a result of lost data.

If you encounter any issues, please submit a support ticket here: https://rtforms.umbc.edu/rt_authenticated/doit/DoIT-support.php?auto=Research%20Computing

For additional information, you can check our documentation at: https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/faq/pages/1082589207/UMBC+HPCF+-+chip

Thank you,
Gregory Ballantine
HPC Specialist

Annie Byrd ’04, emergency health services, M.P.S. ’23, community leadership, began her staff career at UMBC as an executive administrative assistant and she is now the Career Center’s assistant director for employer relations. She attributes her growth as a leader to UMBC’s supportive environment that encouraged members to make an impact in their communities. Annie says that the community leadership program helped her connect the dots between her undergraduate degree in emergency health services, her experience as a doula—a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period—and her passion for maternal health equity and social justice. She then integrated these values into systems-level change, co-founding the Doula Alliance of Maryland.

Q: What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you?

A: I’ve been part of the UMBC community for over 20 years—as an undergraduate, graduate student, and a staff member. I love building connections, supporting students, and finding creative solutions that help people succeed.

Q: Tell us about someone in the UMBC community who has inspired you.

A: Yvette Mozie-Ross [’88, currently vice provost for enrollment management and planning] saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. As my first supervisor at UMBC, she encouraged me to continue my education and pursue new opportunities. Her mentorship helped shape my journey from executive administrative assistant to assistant director.

Q: Tell us about what you love about your academic program or an organization you’re involved in at UMBC.

A: What I loved most about the M.P.S. in Community Leadership was learning alongside people committed to creating change. The program challenged me to think strategically, and it directly inspired my work co-founding the Doula Alliance of Maryland to advance equitable maternal health. 

Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?

A: What makes UMBC special is that everyone belongs here. It’s an inclusive community that values curiosity, encourages ambitious ideas, and provides the support to help you grow personally, academically, and professionally.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and why?

A: Student interactions are what I enjoy most. I love helping students discover opportunities, build confidence, and recognize the skills they already have. It’s rewarding to know that even one conversation can have a lasting impact on their career journey.

Q: What brought you to UMBC?

A: I came to UMBC as an undergraduate and a student-athlete, and I’ve come back as a staff member because I experienced firsthand how transformative this community can be. UMBC has shaped my life. I met my husband, built lifelong friendships, and found a career where I can help students create their own UMBC stories.

Q: At UMBC, how have you found support for birth work advocacy? 

A: The community leadership program faculty and staff helped me turn my passion for birth work into systems-level change. Research shows that doula support is associated with better maternal health outcomes, yet many families—particularly those who have been historically marginalized—face significant barriers to accessing this care. Seeing both the impact of doulas and the inequities in access inspired me to co-found the Doula Alliance of Maryland to expand access and advance maternal health equity. Also, my Career Center colleagues have continued to support that mission, reminding me that UMBC values both professional growth and community impact.

Q: What would you tell someone who is considering a career at UMBC?

A: UMBC is a place where your ideas and potential are valued. It provides opportunities to grow your career while connecting your work to a larger purpose. My own journey from student to staff member shows how UMBC supports people who want to make a difference.

Good afternoon, 

Due to weather predictions we have decided to postpone the July Happy Hour. We want to ensure those that live in areas impacted or that have to travel far are safe and sound! We apologize for last minute notice! 

Be on the lookout for the rain date soon! 

Be safe and have an amazing day.

PDFs are a staple of academic life, used for everything from syllabi to complex research articles. However, without intentional design, they can create significant barriers for students using screen readers or other assistive technologies. Making your PDFs accessible ensures that information is clear, searchable, and usable for every member of our community. By focusing on accessible creation and remediation techniques, transform your materials into inclusive learning tools.

1. Start with an Accessible Foundation

The most effective way to create an accessible PDF is to ensure the source file is accessible from the start. Whether you are working in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or PowerPoint, following these core principles will save time and improve the final result:

• Use Built-in Heading Styles: Instead of manually bolding or enlarging text, use styles like Heading 1, 2, and 3. This creates a logical structure that screen readers can navigate.

• Add Meaningful Alt Text: Provide concise descriptions for images, charts, and graphics so their purpose is clear to those who cannot see them.

• Use Descriptive Links: Avoid generic phrases like "click here." Use text that describes the destination or action, such as "Download the 2026 Course Syllabus." (Refer to 5 Tips for Creating Clear and Accessible Links for more information.)

2. Export the PDF with Accessibility 

How you save your file as a PDF is just as important as how you format it. To ensure all your accessibility tags, like headings and alt text, are preserved, you must use the correct export method:

• Avoid "Print to PDF": This function strips away the structural tags required for screen readers. (Tags provide the essential structure and semantics for a PDF, enabling screen reader navigation, defining logical reading order, and allowing content to reflow correctly on different devices.)

• Save As/Download as PDF: In Microsoft Word or PowerPoint, use "Save As" and select the "Best for electronic distribution and accessibility" option. In Google Docs, use “File → Download → PDF Document” to generate a tagged file.

• Verify Content: After exporting, perform a quick test to see if you can select the text. If you can, the text is searchable and accessible; if not, further work is needed.

3. Remediate Existing PDFs

When an original source file isn't available, remediating an existing PDF ensures that all students, including those relying on screen readers or other assistive technologies, can engage with course materials seamlessly.

• Quick Fixes with Blackboard Ally: If your PDF is hosted in Blackboard, check Blackboard Ally first. Ally can resolve minor accessibility issues directly.

• Comprehensive Remediation in Adobe Acrobat: For more complex documents, archived files, or scanned readings where you lack source files, Adobe Acrobat provides powerful remediation tools:

  • Apply OCR (Optical Character Recognition): Convert image-based scanned pages into searchable, readable text so screen readers can process the content.

  • Run Accessibility Checks: Use the built-in Accessibility Checker to detect structural barriers, missing tags, alt text gaps, or form field labels.

  • Manually verify Reading Order: Use the Reading Order tool to ensure assistive technologies present the content in a logical sequence that supports understanding.

  • Export the PDF: Remediate with Microsoft Word or PowerPoint’s Accessibility Checker. Then, converting it back to a source format is often the easiest way to add clear headings, alt text, and structured lists using familiar editing tools.

4. Prioritize What You Fix First

Remediating all course PDFs simultaneously is not necessary. Instead, use the insights from your Blackboard Ally course report to determine where to start:

• Prioritize Required Materials: Focus on syllabi and required readings before optional handouts.

• Target Low Scores: Address files with the lowest Blackboard Ally Course scores first to remove the most significant hurdles.

• Actionable Elements: Ensure interactive elements like worksheets or forms are remediated so all students can participate.

• Substitute When Needed: Replace uneditable files with accessible versions by collaborating with the UMBC Library or publishers.

For additional guidance, visit the UMBC Digital Accessibility website on Accessible Documents & Presentations > Specific tools used at UMBC > PDFs to discover further methods for formatting accessible PDF files.

Hello!

We are doing some closet reorganization and are looking for open shelving -- does not have to look like photo. Preference is for a tall shelf, but open to a short version. Please reach out to Gina at ghoaglan@umbc.edu.

Hello I am in search of a dry erase board preferably 24 inches wide or slightly bigger.  Please email me at swarden1@umbc.edu if you have one available.  Thank you in advance.  

Good morning,

I'm looking for a package that was delivered yesterday by FedEx. With FedEx Tracking number: 533729326220 According to FedEx it was delivered yesterday and signed by WGeorge. 

The package is addressed to Ella Sagan, 900 Walker Ave, Ste 101.

Please email me if you find it at esagan@umbc.edu. 

Thank you in advance,

Ella

As we gear up for the FA2026 semester, Instructional Technology is hosting Blackboard Week from August 10th to August 14th. Whether you are completely new to Blackboard or a seasoned pro looking to optimize your course, this daily webinar series is designed to help you build, organize, and manage your virtual classroom with ease.

All sessions are open to all faculty and instructional staff and will take place online via Google Meet. Here is the lineup for the week:

Organize Your Course Content & Check Accessibility

Monday, August 10th (12pm-1pm) - register online

Get guidance on copying and reusing prior course content, building Ultra modules and       folders, embedding materials/LTI tools, controlling content release, and using Ally to check accessibility. 

Create Assessments in Blackboard 

Tuesday, August 11th (10am-11am) - register online

Discover how to create and customize tests, set up assignments with Blackboard's newest features, construct question banks/pools, design rubrics, and configure secure assessment settings.

Discover What's New in Blackboard for Teaching & Learning FA2026

Wednesday, August 12th (12pm-1pm) - register online

A comprehensive look at recent spring updates and what's newly developed for FA2026, specifically covering fresh features in grading, assessments, student engagement, groups management, and content creation.

Optimize Blackboard Course Groups

Thursday, August 13th (12pm-1pm) - register online

Learn best practices for creating and organizing groups, managing group activities and assignments, enhancing student communication, and effectively grading group submissions.

Navigate the New Blackboard Gradebook

Friday, August 14th (12pm-1pm) - register online

Wrap up the week by learning how to navigate the brand-new Gradebook experience. Topics include managing assessments, creating custom grade categories, grade calculations and schemas, and more.

How to Attend & Important Details

To secure your spot, select "Sign Up" on the corresponding myUMBC event post and add it to your calendar. Registered participants will receive a calendar invitation from the host at least one week before the session.

Connect with Instructional Technology

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

• Check our extensive FAQ collection
• What's new in Blackboard? |Known Issues
• Open a ticket via RT
• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups
• Request a consult with instructional technology staff

To all users,

This is a reminder that we are beginning our scheduled downtime for chip, which is planned from 8AM to 5PM ET. This is to apply critical security patches, and to perform some maintenance on the RRStor ceph storage cluster. During this time, chip will be inaccessible and jobs currently running may be terminated if necessary.

We will send an update at the conclusion of the work.

Previous post announcing the downtime: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/hpcf/posts/160868 

As always, remember to submit any issues you have here: https://rtforms.umbc.edu/rt_authenticated/doit/DoIT-support.php?auto=Research%20Computing

And check out our documentation here: https://umbc.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/faq/pages/1082589207/UMBC+HPCF+-+chip

Best,
Greg

Gain presentation experience, support secondary education, and earn a $350 stipend...

Help Wanted: Presentation Support for Northbound!

Role: Presentation Support

Northbound is seeking a motivated student to assist with presentation preparation and delivery support for two upcoming events. 

Time Commitment: Full attendance required on both event dates and additional time will be required to help prepare the presentations.

Event dates and times:

• One Million Cups: Wednesday, August 19, 8:30-10:30 am, at Oca Mocha in Arbutus.

• Demo Day: Thursday, September 17, 4:30-8:30 pm, held at bwtech South, off S. Rolling Road, Catonsville.

Who Should Apply:

• Open to all majors!

• Must be comfortable with public speaking.

• Great fit for students with an interest in secondary school education.

Stipend: $350

Interested? Reach out today to apply or learn more!

Contact Joshua Smith: jsmith64@umbc.edu