Introductory Experience Helps Students Transition into College

The First-Year Seminars at UMBC provide students with an opportunity to connect around academic topics during their first semester on campus. With nearly 20 seminars annually, students are able to enroll in courses that fit their specific interests. While these credits fulfill general education requirements, students receive much more in terms of their education.

“These seminars are designed to help you think deeply about issues such as the state of the environment, the forces impacting war and peace in modern culture and the negative impact of stereotypes as persons deal with national, ethnic, racial, and religious differences,” said Diane Lee, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Education. “In these seminars you will engage in thoughtful discussions, authentic inquiry and meaningful exploration of ideas.”

Students enrolled in the seminars gain experience through writing, presentation, group discussions and hands-on laboratory work. Topics range from current events and society to historical analysis and mathematical computation.

Based on the growing residential population at UMBC of in- and out-of-state students, diversity in preparation has grown and an experience was needed to provide students with an academic opportunity that introduces them to UMBC’s academic expectations and the resources that are available to support them, said Randles. Students of many backgrounds feel that first-year experiences serve as a nice transition between high school and college.

“With a small group setting, I was able to share my beliefs and hear diverse perspectives from my peers, which helped me learn about what it means to be a UMBC student,” said Brian Frazee ’11.

“We always arranged our desks in a big circle so we could have open, friendly discussions. Since the class was so small, I made a lot of great friends,” said Samantha Haines ‘10. “Everyone got to voice their opinions, hopes and fears about being a first-year student. We became a very close group.”

Since its implementation in 2000, the First-Year Seminars have had a positive impact on students. In addition to First-Year Seminars, the Office of Undergraduate Education offers additional first-year experiences through a Collegiate Success Institute (summer bridge program) and Introduction to an Honors University seminars (IHU). Students also participate in Living Learning Communities (LLC), the First-Year Council and, as part of Welcome Week, the New Student Book Experience.

Based on OIR analysis of data “Those who have a first-year experience are more likely to be retained and to complete their degree successfully,” said C. Jill Randles, assistant vice provost for the Office of Undergraduate Education. “In addition, we have learned that students who participate in a first-year experience are more engaged that non-participants.”

Future goals for the first-year experience include building a specific program for transfer students as current offerings are expanded to provide every new student with a first-year experience opportunity. Given how much the campus has embraced the first-year experience, Randles isn’t worried about reaching these goals.

“These efforts have been successful because of the many individuals who go beyond what’s humanly possible at times,” she said. “The faculty, staff and students involved with the program are committed and know this is a successful learning environment.”

(5/8/09)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

Leading Ladies

Starting March 3, the UMBC theatre department will show off its GRRL PARTS with a trio of short plays written to give young actresses strong lead roles.

The inspiration for the production came from a source of frustration in the theatre department: though most theatre majors are women, the majority of strong roles are written for men. “Guys get to be everyone, every character you can imagine, but there are a limited number of roles that people think a 20-year-old girl wants,” explained Susan McCully, adjunct assistant professor of theatre and women’s studies, and the artistic director of GRRL PARTS.

Tired of the available female roles, McCully started the IN10 Playwriting Competition in 2006. That competition solicits 10-minute plays with strong female leads, and the winning play—as well as commissioned plays written by established playwrights—is performed on campus. This year, the production has been renamed GRRL PARTS.

GRRL PARTS is an opportunity for student actresses to play parts that are different than what they have encountered before. “Usually in a play there are maybe one or two really strong women’s roles, and you’re watching the men take all the action,” said Samantha Nelson, ’10, theatre. She relishes the opportunity to both star as a compelling character and work with actresses who are also playing strong roles.

“The students really have the right energy and the skills for their roles, while also being very challenged by them,” added Colette Searls, associate professor of theatre, who is directing two of the plays.

This year, GRRL PARTS features the world premieres of three original plays. Weathertician by Gregory Farber is the winner of the playwriting competition.  In a futuristic world where humans control the weather, two women are locked into a perpetual debate over what each day’s forecast will be.

The two commissioned plays are written by playwrights Naomi Iizuka and Phyllis Nagy. Iizuka’s play, This Girl I Used to Know, is a retelling of the Arachne myth in a college setting. Nagy’s play, The One, the Other, is about a break up and is directed by Wendy Salkind, associate professor of theatre. The action jumps through time and space to show the arc of the women’s relationship.

“The plays are about love, politics and power. All three have strong women who are fighting and stretching for something that they really want,” said Kiirstn Pagan ’11, theatre, the stage manager for GRRL PARTS.

Though the plays’ themes are very different, GRRL PART’s organizers are unifying them by focusing on the art of playwriting; the staging is minimal, and the audience will be encouraged to consider the scripts as well as the performances. A talk back after the performances will help the audience understand the plays. “We have a journey that we’re taking the audience on,” explained Searls.

GRRL PARTS runs March 3-7. The performance schedule and ticket information are available online at www.umbc.edu/theatre.

(3/1/10)

“UMBC Reflects and Acts” is a series of events commemorating the anniversary of Sept. 11, teach-ins hosted by UMBC faculty and staff and service events.

Lessons of 9-11

On the afternoon of September 11, 2001, the UMBC community gathered for a campuswide teach-in. Faculty, staff and students came together to listen and learn from one another.

Now as UMBC marks the first anniversary of September 11, faculty members with expertise on terrorism and American/Middle East relations reflect on the issues surrounding the 9-11 attacks.

For a complete listing of UMBC events remembering 9-11, including teach-ins by many of the faculty members below, please visit the UMBC Reflects and Acts� home page at http://www.umbc.edu/9-11

Devin Hagerty, Assistant Professor, Political Science

Hagerty will lead a teach-in entitled “The War on Terror in South Asia: Who’s Winning?” on September 17 at noon.

Hagerty is an expert on South Asian politics and American foreign policy in the region. Since 9-11 he has continued to teach about the dangers of nuclear proliferation between India and Pakistan and the need for the West to rebuild and democratize Afghanistan after a generation of war.

Power without purpose is a recipe for bad foreign policy. America has struggled since the Cold War’s end to find its purpose in the world. In the most dramatic way possible, 9-11 demonstrated the imperative to define what kind of world we want to live in. One thing is clear: most terrorists hail from countries where democratic norms are absent and basic civil rights are denied. America can do a lot more to promote and assist liberalizing political reform movements, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia.�

Anne Brodsky, Assistant Professor, Psychology, and Affiliate Assistant Professor, Women�s Studies

Before 9-11, Brodsky was already working with underground groups like RAWA, The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, to fight for the rights of Muslim women under the Taliban and other fundamentalist groups. Brodsky�s book, With all our Strength: The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan,� will be released in Spring 2003.

The stark realities of life in post Taliban Afghanistan are not dampening the spirit and resistance of the Afghan people. After 24 years of war and destruction they have grown unfortunately accustomed to the fact that the promises of liberation and rebirth offered by regime after regime, from the Soviets � through the Taliban, to the current transitional government �have never been realized, but that the average person can make a difference�Because they speak out �in favor of democracy and women�s equality, groups like RAWA are still at risk…But they believe in the desires of the ordinary Afghan people for peace, security, democracy and the education banned under the Taliban.�

Christopher Hewitt, Associate Professor, Sociology

Hewitt studies, writes and teaches on government policies to reduce terrorism, comparisons of social violence in different nations and social inequality. His new book, “Understanding American Terrorism: From the Klan to al Qaeda,� comes out on September 11.

Since 9-11, the U.S. government has spent billions on programs and technology to prevent a weapons of mass destruction terror attack. But experts agree that we are much more likely to see a low-level attack in the U.S. That money, energy and effort would be put to much better use on common-sense, relatively low-cost measures, such as establishing a national ID card system and more focused law enforcement. We need a cost-benefit analysis that weighs the financial price and effectiveness of anti-terror measures along with the public inconvenience and aggravation. The real answer to better homeland security isn�t money or technology, but more sensible policies.�

Louis Cantori, Professor, Political Science

Cantori will co-lead a teach-in entitled “A Critique of American Policy in the War on Terrorism” on September 17 at 4 p.m.

Cantori has lived and studied extensively in the Middle East, and is highly involved with some of the world�s most prominent Christian-Muslim relations groups. He recently returned from Khartoum, Sudan where he was part of a study team addressing the problems of the Sudanese civil war and Sudanese/American relations.

On September 11, Muslims on the one hand roundly condemned the slaughter of the American innocents, but on the other embraced Bin Laden�s political agenda. This increased hostility towards the U.S. has three causes: American uncritical support of Israel, the view on the Arab streets that the U.S. condones the deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children caused by economic sanctions, and the U.S. support of allied Arab despots in the repression of their own people. Today, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is deemed ‘a man of peace’ while simultaneously engaged in a war against Palestinian terrorists, the invasion of Iraq is openly contemplated, and the despots are now assisting in the war on terrorism by increasing repression of their domestic opponents. The Middle East today is far more dangerous than it was a year ago.�

Lucky Number Seven

The UMBC men’s swimming and diving team has won its seventh consecutive America East Championship and 13th straight conference title overall after finishing with 926.5 points Sunday, February 28, in Boston. The women finished second for the second year in a row, scoring 681 points.

“We are very proud of our men and women. They performed with confidence and pride,” said Head Coach Chad Craddock ’97, who took over at the helm of the swimming and diving teams in 2001. “Our men were the clear underdogs going into the meet and came out proving they are champions.  Our women’s determination made for a great competition. “

Senior Matt Mattingly broke the school record in the men’s 200 breast and earned silver in a time of 2:00.90, over four and a half seconds faster than his prelim time.

Junior Brad Reitz won the gold in the men’s 200 fly in an NCAA-provisional qualifying time of 1:47.81. Freshman Sandy Haibel earned the silver in a time of 1:51.94.

Sophomore Abbey McKenney broke the school record and earned gold in the women’s 100 free in an NCAA-provisional qualifying time of 50.17.

In their final events for UMBC, senior Tina Cantwell earned silver in the women’s 200 breast in 2:17.09, while fellow senior Tereza Kaplanova touched third in 2:18.74.

The Women’s Most Outstanding Rookie of the meet was awarded to Morrissette, who earned bronze in both the 200 and 400 IM and fourth in the 200 fly. UMBC’s coaching staff was named Co-Men’s Coaching Staff of the Year.

More information about the championships is online.

(3/1/10)

Making Leadership History

Three women students now hold leadership positions on campus, but none of them care � about being women, that is.

While Yasmin Karimian (SGA president), Jen Kent (SGA vice president) and Gaby Arevalo (Retriever Weekly editor) care about the history they’ve made, they’re more interested in their work. The 2009-10 academic year marks the first time in UMBC history that three females hold these top campus positions at one time, including the first female duo in the SGA.

“While I think it’s wonderful that Yasmin, Jen and I are all women and minorities that isn’t what we’re known for,” said Arevalo. “We’re known for the positions we hold, not for our backgrounds or gender.”

Karimian and Kent actually had no idea they were the first female duo in SGA history until after turning in their applications to run. Both say more recent generations are different.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have grown up in a generation where female leadership is encouraged, and the idea of gender equality is second nature,” says Kent.

All three women feel lucky to be at a school where it’s not uncommon for women and minorities to hold leadership positions. They realize it wasn’t always so common or easy in generations past.

“We take for granted the support we receive by being women and being able to hold these positions without skeptics surrounding us,” says Karimian. “That certainly was not the case for some of our predecessors, like the first female SGA President Lisa Dickerson.”

Dickerson gave a speech at the SGA Inauguration in Spring 2009 and noted the struggles she faced 32 years ago.

“Those struggles paved the way for women like us to be merely able to seek the positions of president and vice president,” says Karimian.

(8/28/09)

Medieval Text Goes Digital

Thomas Field, professor of linguistics and french, is making inaccessible language more available. He and his research assistants spend hours in front of computers inputting and reviewing Occitan and Gascon words, searching for the cultural significance of this endangered language of southwestern France and the Pyrenees area of Spain.

Being one of the few people immersed in this language, Field is currently building the first Medieval Gascon digital corpus of its kind. And being named the 2009-10 Lipitz Professor of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will only help him dig deeper and make discoveries about this peculiar language.

“This text is not easily accessible,” said Field. “But I’m hoping to make as much as I can available online with search functions. This professorship will really help me get an extensive amount of work done.”

For the past year, Field has been working with students from the modern languages and linguistics department and one student from the computer science department, who all help with inputting data, Web site design and trouble shooting. For Field, working with students is one of the most exciting parts of his work.

“I love the instructional side as much as the research itself,” he said. “I love teaching so my work is both.”

Although they’ve only been working together since fall 2008, Field and his assistants have already begun to notice patterns and themes in the language.

“We’re finding out that in southwestern France, the cultural influences are also linguistically influential,” he said. “In many ways, linguistics is like a science. Language is part of everything, and the sentences structured part of more scientific hypothesis.”

With discoveries already underway, Field hopes to travel to France in order to obtain more important texts for his research. With the professorship money, he will be able to do just that – along with employing more student help to maintain the database and finish web-related design. He will also use the money to set up a fall series on Morocco that will include musical groups, films and speakers.

“I’m humbled to have been chosen for the professorship,” said Field, “and I’m happier to be at UMBC now than I’ve ever been. This is a really good place to be right now.”

About Thomas Field
Field joined the UMBC faculty in 1979 and has been chair of his department (1992-96) and director of the Center for Humanities (1999-2005). A teacher of French and linguistics, Field was the UMBC Presidential Teaching Professor (1992-95), Carnegie Foundation Maryland Professor of the Year (1996), and in 1982 he shared the Glbert Chinard Pedagogical Prize given by the American Assocation of Teachers of French. He is the author of two books and more than two dozen articles, and his research has been supported by a number of organizations including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Fulbright commission.

About the Lipitz Professorship
The Lipitz Professorship is supported by an endowment created by Roger C. Lipitz and the Lipitz Family Foundation “to recognize and support innovative and distinguished teaching and research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the UMBC.”

(9/11/09)

Men�s Lacrosse Team Travels to Japan

The UMBC men’s lacrosse team just returned from an 11-day trip to Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan, where they participated in the 2009 International Friendship Games. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Games and a nearly-two-decade-long relationship between UMBC and the Japan Lacrosse Association (JLA).

While in Japan, the team competed against the Under-20 Tokyo squad, the Japan National squad, Under-22 Japan National Squad, the Nagoya Regional team and other collegiate teams. They won all games with the closest being a one-goal win over the Japan National squad. UMBC players noticed a different playing style between themselves and the Japanese squads.

“The best word to describe their playing is ‘raw’,” said Alex Hopmann ’09, business technology administration. “Their skills aren’t as polished but with some good direction and coaching, they’ll catch up.”

Not only did the players learn about lacrosse while in Japan, they also had ample time to socialize. They toured the Toyota Plant, Nagoya Castle and Tokyo Tower. They spent time with players from opposing teams, bringing the Friendship Games full circle. One of the JLA’s principles is “making friends,” and Coach Don Zimmerman and the UMBC team noticed the JLA’s warm welcome.

“Everyone in Japan was very hospitable,” said Hopmann. “It really opened my eyes to the other side of the world and was a great experience for men our age.”

“The key element of this journey was the sharing of cultures, the camaraderie which is established and the continued development of the game in the Far East,” said Steve Levy, interdisciplinary studies ’85, associate director of athletic communications.

To find out more about the trip, read the UMBC Dawg Blog. 

(7/2/09)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

Men�s Swimming and Diving Win Championship for Sixth Consecutive Season

The UMBC men’s swimming and diving team has won the America East Championship for the sixth consecutive season and 12th overall conference title. The Retrievers finished with 900 points, beating Boston University by 27 points. The women finished in second place behind Boston with 687 points.

Coach Chad Craddock ’97, psychology, said, “I am so proud of our men and women. They really came together and showed how they are a true championship team. When the meet looked grim for UMBC, they found a way to come from behind to win (for the men) and take a strong second (for the women).

“This team truly deserved the positive outcome as they are hard working and dedicated individuals who accepted every challenge we have given them,” added Craddock, who was a four-year letter-winner for the Retriever swimming and diving program.

This year’s championship highlights included a gold medal for sophomore Brad Reitz, who broke the school record in the 200 fly. On the women’s side, junior Jennifer Esposito broke the school record she set in the 200 fly during the preliminary session, finishing first. More results are available online.

Both the men’s and women’s teams are also known for their academic success. Athletics Director Charles Brown said, “The swimming and diving team at UMBC sets the bar for all our athletic programs. Their excellence in both the swimming pool and in the classroom is outstanding.”

The NCAA’s most recent Academic Progress Report ranked UMBC’s women’s swim team in the top 10 percent of colleges and universities nationally.Last season, for the second straight year, 11 men and women were selected to the America East Swimming and Diving All-Academic teams, and women’s swimming and diving were the only America East team to win an America East championship and post the highest GPA among the conference’s teams. For the fall 2008 semester at UMBC, the men’s and women’ teams GPAs were among the best of all Retriever athletics teams.

Read more about UMBC Athletics at www.umbcretrievers.com.

(2/27/09)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

New Spin on Wind Power

What do you get when you combine geography, visual arts and a splash of humor?

“The Mills Family Gets a Wind Turbine,” a Web site created by students in both the visual arts and geography and environmental systems departments. The retro, 1950s-style site includes five Webisodes about the fictional Mills family, who decide to put a wind turbine in their backyard.

The project was initiated by Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography and Environmental Systems Sandy Parker, who contacted UMBC’s Imaging Research Center (IRC) about doing a documentary-style film on wind turbines and wind power. At the time, IRC Researcher and Associate Director Lee Boot was about to begin teaching a spring 2009 IRC Fellows class about social media.

“The plan for the course was to take on an issue and treat it in a way that might engage the public more than the PBS-style formula,” said Boot. “The project seemed like a perfect match.”

Work was divided evenly as geography students worked on content, and the visual arts team created the videos, animations and the Web site. The storyline follows a consistent outcome: even though wind power may not be perfect, it’s a solid solution for now.

For some, the project was an opportunity to work in areas beyond their comfort zones.  IRC Fellow Abbey Salvo ’10 found herself collecting and creating props, performing the voice over for an off-screen character and writing dialogue for the Webisodes. She worked on the creative side for the site, which she said was her “first crack at web design.” That first experience is now encouraging her to expand her knowledge while at UMBC.

“Though it may seem rudimentary to some, I had so much fun designing, redesigning, troubleshooting and creating that I have decided to pursue a graphic design major,” she said. Salvo is currently at work designing an IRC Fellows Web site and a personal portfolio.

Almost everyone involved with the project noted how much they covered in a short amount of time.

“A semester is not a lot of time to wrap their brains around an issue, come up with a concept, write a script, scout locations, hire actors, create numerous animations and then edit the whole thing together,” said Boot. “Plus I wanted it on the Web with commenting capability. They made it happen.”

To view the site and watch the film, visit www.themillsturbine.com.

For more information on the IRC Fellows, click here. For more information on the geography and environmental systems department, click here.

(7/16/09)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �

New Year�s Resolutions for the World

The year 2009 promises to be historic in many ways, as world leaders face intertwined challenges for the global economy, sustainability and security.

These challenges are also opportunities for UMBC’s diverse group of internationally respected faculty scholars, researchers and artists to share their expertise with the broader community.

Recently, the UMBC News team launched “Talking Heads,” a blog where faculty experts from across disciplines can post their takes on current events. The blog is also becoming a destination for members of the media seeking new sources.

In the New Year’s spirit of change and renewal, UMBC experts recently answered the question:

“In 2009, the world should resolve to _____________.”

The resulting video and text blog posts offer new ideas that could impact our planet and society in positive ways: sustainable hamburgers, cleaner cars, rethinking biofuels, sanitary drinking water for developing countries, valuing the input of elders and more.
As the global resolutions suggested by experts in aging studies, public policy, sociology, ecology, economics, American studies and engineering show, UMBC faculty members are a rich source of ideas and innovations that have a positive impact on Maryland and the world beyond.

(1/10/09)

© 2007-08 University of Maryland, Baltimore County � 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 � 410-455-1000 �