Repost from the Division of Institutional Equity!

The 2026 UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey was launched! Information gathered from the survey will be used to inform our ongoing education, prevention, and response work, and is an important component in campus-wide efforts to stop, prevent, and remedy the effects of sexual misconduct at UMBC.

All students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100
UMBC Bookstore gift cards.

You can access the online survey here. The survey will be open from Wednesday,
April 15 until Thursday, April 30, and will take about 15-25 minutes to complete.

This survey is anonymous and confidential. After completing the UMBC Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey, you will be prompted to enter your name and email address in a separate voluntary survey to enter for a chance to win one of the gift cards.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and
interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct and
may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears before and after the survey and is available on the ECR website.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Want to have some fun before finals? Join us for our Capture the Flag game night on Thursday, April 30th, from 7pm to 9pm in ITE 231. WiCyS is excited to host a "Cryptothon" Capture the Flag-style event where players will solve beginner-friendly cybersecurity puzzles and win prizes. Cyber expert or not, all are welcome!

Players will be competing for Airpods, gaming keybord, and a portable monitor!!!

In addition to games, Chick-fil-A catering will be provided, so join us and let's have fun!

Please RSVP here so we can have a good headcount.

These financial webinars are open to all Faculty and Staff, regardless of your retirement plan or vendor.

Register for TIAA’s live webinars to get financial information, news and tips from their experts. 

Reserve your spot by clicking the registration links below. These webinars are a part of your retirement plan benefits.

Tuesday, May 7, 11am to 12pm: Money Psychology - Beyond the Numbers

It’s easy to think that how we approach money is all about formulas, facts and figures. The truth is, the decisions we make are influenced by other forces too—our own biases, life experiences, and human nature. TIAA will explore what some of those forces are and how to tame them for our advantage.

They will discuss: 

• Human nature and what shapes our feelings about money
• How those feelings might make us behave
• The importance of the big picture when making decisions
• Doing what is best for long-term interests

Register for the 5/7 webinar

Tuesday, May 19, 11am to 12pm: Finance for new grads

Starting out in the job world can be exciting—and overwhelming. The financial foundation we build now can impact our lives for years to come. That’s why it’s so important to understand how to manage money, create good financial habits, and save and invest for the long term.

In this webinar, TIAA will provide insights on:

• How a spending plan helps in the short term
• What a retirement plan does in the long term
• Choosing traditional (pretax) versus Roth (after-tax) contributions
• The importance of an emergency fund

Register for the 5/19 webinar

Questions? Reach out to hrbenefits@umbc.edu

PICNIC TODAY 4 PM AT HARBOR COURTYARD!!

Join us tonight at 7pm for the first ever URCAD afterparty at the Fish Head Cantina in Halethorpe.  All Ages. Good Sushi. Music by bio band, Fever Dream!

(With thanks to Exempt Staff Senate for this content.)

Updates provided by the President

• Strategic Planning

  • The University Steering Committee (USC) and shared governance leaders are participating. The goal is to offer participation opportunities through many modalities, including surveys (campus-wide survey closes on April 17).

  • The five pillars of the plan came from 22 hours of Bold Conversations listening sessions, not from senior leaders creating them.

• Federal Government, Federal Orders and Actions

  • A core team of 6–7 leaders has been meeting since January to assess federal impacts on higher education and UMBC.

  • The university provides guidance on Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the Federal actions and orders website and on cards around campus. They are also providing monthly updates to the campus community. Update On Federal Policy Changes 

  • We have had 42 grant cancellations, 9 of which are being reinstated. 

  • Research funding reached $150M in 2024, and this year, the second-highest level in our history. We hit $185M in 2025.

• Budget (FY27)

  • The Governor signed the budget 3 hours before this meeting, and President Sheares Ashby assumes no further cuts, although last year's cut was not restored.

  • There will be an operational cut because UMBC must use its own budget to cover the portion of COLA funding not provided by the state - this has always been the case.

  • In the last two years, UMBC has experienced about a 10% cut.

• VP Administration & Finance Search

  • The search is "dangerously close" to completion (The President was jumping with excitement!)

  • President Sheares Ashby is seeking a candidate who can manage institutional change and value inclusive excellence, not just someone with the standard A&F skillset.

  • “I’m basically looking for somebody who can walk on water, which is unfair, but I need it. It’s not worth making a mistake. If I’m not convinced you’re not gonna be convinced.”

• Being in the News

  • Spring Grove (SG): UMBC received the gift of 175 acres of the Spring Grove state hospital along with $27M for environmental and infrastructure remediation several years ago. Four hundred residents are still on the property, but most of the property has not been used for many years. UMBC does not have development plans yet and is focused on remediating infrastructure first.

  • Herbert Run: UMBC and Whiting Turner were cited by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for project issues. UMBC has met with MDE and Whiting Turner and has resolved the issues and has had no new violations. 

  • Athletics:The university entered into a voluntary settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, in April 2024: Department of Justice-UMBC Agreement. We continue to adhere to the provisions set forth in the settlement agreement, and there have not been any issues to date with us meeting those provisions. Personnel and student conduct issues cannot be discussed publicly due to legal issues, and to ensure people feel comfortable reporting in the future.

• Happy Monday Messages

  • President Sheares Ashby encourages reading these messages as a reminder of the good work being done, which is happening alongside the negative news coverage.

  • Highlights included the College Track partnership in Baltimore City and four Goldwater Scholars this year, which is one short of the national record.

Open Q&A

• Question: Are you aware of other federally funded colleges that have implemented more values-based approaches to alerting communities when immigration enforcement (USCIS fact-finding visits) is present?

  • President Sheares Ashby’s Answer: UMBC police will not assist ICE. Regarding communicating if ICE is on campus, President Sheares Ashby is "still processing" the decision. Her priority is the safety of the individual and the community, noting that communicating could incite harm, but not communicating prevents people from making decisions for themselves. Campus members should look at the card for clear direction. She clarified each person has the right to their own choices, but if someone on this campus gets hurt, that is her responsibility and she needs to ensure the campus is safe.

• Question: Climate survey data shows students who interact with multiple support services are the least satisfied (45% approval rating). What steps will senior leadership take to structurally embed inclusive excellence?

  • President Sheares Ashby’s Answer: The next strategic plan will address gaps in fully living up to Inclusive Excellence as one of our core values. Structurally, all disability services have moved under the Division of Institutional Equity (DOIE). The goal is to move from a "start-up university mentality" to operating at a higher level (UMBC 2.0 → UMBC 3.0) by being prepared for people before they arrive. An external review of all things disability services was just completed to get a sense from national leaders about how we can do better and improve.

• Question: Is UMBC planning a coordinated communication response to the articles concerning Spring Grove?

  • President Sheares Ashby’s Answer: A response is not straightforward, and President Sheares Ashby has engaged GES faculty to gain a larger understanding of the situation. The final communication plan is uncertain, but they are meeting with closely related entities first. President Sheares Ashby needs full clarity to maintain credibility and does not want to create a constant cycle of response to every news article.

• Question: Given budget constraints, what is the future for pre-transfer advising growth, as there is currently only one pre-transfer advisor?

• President Sheares Ashby’s Answer: President Sheares Ashby recognized the importance of the work, noting that nearly 50% of graduating students are transfer students, and that there is representation from each MD community college. The future person-power and specific charge for pre-transfer advising will be determined in the strategic plan, which is not yet complete. She encouraged continued work with Carlos Jensen, Vice Provost of Student Success and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, to discuss this issue in more detail.

BYDB: Building Your Digital Brand

Hosted by the Office of Professional Programs, GEARS, and the Career Center

📅 April 28 | 5:00–7:00 PM

📍 UMBC Commons, Rm. 329

📥 Please RSVP by pressing "Sign-up" button on the event page here.

📸 BIG bonus: We will have a professional photographer on site providing FREE headshots/ Linkedin Profile pictures.

😋 Snacks available!

Whether you're job hunting, networking, or just starting to think about your professional presence online, this is the event for you! Join us for BYDB: Building Your Digital Brand,  an interactive workshop designed to help you craft and strengthen your digital identity in today's competitive landscape.

Who You Are:

• A graduate or undergraduate student looking to build or refine your online professional presence

What to Expect:

• Tips and strategies for building a strong, authentic digital brand
• Guidance on optimizing your LinkedIn, portfolio, and other professional platforms
• Networking opportunities with fellow students and career professionals
• Resources and support from the UMBC Career Center and Office of Professional Programs

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your existing presence, this is a great chance to invest in yourself and your future career.

Follow us on Instagram @gears_umbc for updates on upcoming events!

Inside DOIE is a monthly series that introduces the faces in the Division of Institutional Equity. This project is an opportunity for our campus community to get to know the team.

Role within the Division: Assistant Director, Student Disability Services

How long have you been at UMBC? 16 years at UMBC/SDS, part of DOIE for about 2 years.

How would you describe your role within the Division of Institutional Equity?

I am a manager with responsibilities related to students with disabilities and serve as a liaison with many campus partners both within DOIE and elsewhere at UMBC.

Can you share a moment or experience that shaped your passion for equity and inclusion work?

Two moments, every year: First day of classes and graduation.  It is incredibly rewarding to know that students with disabilities feel welcome and included at UMBC AND that they graduate from UMBC excited for the possibilities.  It takes a village and UMBC is a beautiful village to be a part of as a staff member.

What is one initiative or project you’re currently working on that excites you?

I am actively working on a number of initiatives to use technology to improve our operations which will free up time for staff members to meet with individual students, faculty, and other community members.

Outside of work, what’s something that brings you joy or helps you recharge? 

I have an almost-4 year old grandson who is so much fun, and another grandchild (a girl) expected in August.  My family brings me great joy (my husband and I have 4 adult children and their partners).

Can you share a book/quote/movie or something others can engage with from your perspective of inclusive excellence?

I have a sign on my wall that reminds me "Don't let the urgent get in the way of the important"

🚨 H4H E-Board Elections are LIVE!

Vote for the 2026–2027 Executive Board in the link below

Please make sure you read the candidate statements before voting.

Only active members' votes will be counted. 

An active member includes:

• Joining our myUMBC Group: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/h4humbc
• Has attended at least 2-3 GBMs or Events!

VOTING ENDS APRIL 27TH

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7LbETlvUjBut3fLnw-aN7-HKFJlDjYYcnU8H6pxirOJ-QLA/viewform?usp=dialog

*YOU NEED TO ACCESS THE LINK WITH YOUR UMBC EMAIL*