Over the last 18 months, we have been working on implementing a new suite of financial reports utilizing Tableau, a visual analytics platform.  I am thrilled to announce the launch of these new Tableau reports, Rex Finance 2.0. This represents a significant upgrade from our previous data warehouse and reports by incorporating Tableau's powerful features and capabilities.

At UMBC, we recognize the critical role of data in driving informed decision-making and achieving financial excellence. With the implementation of Rex Finance 2.0, we have embraced a more intuitive and interactive approach to visualize and analyze our financial data. The legacy Rex Finance reports will remain available but will eventually be phased out.

Key Features and Benefits:

- Improved Accuracy allowing the campus to have a "single source of truth."

- Options to Expand/Collapse to display levels of the Department and Account hierarchies.

- More flexible filters with the ability to select multiple funds, departments, and projects.

- Ability to show budgets at a point in time.

- Sharing capability allows users to share their dashboard with their selected filters and views, allowing easier collaboration.

To access Rex Finance 2.0, please follow the instructions below:

1. Connect to the "Eduroam" network, a wired connection on-campus, or log on to the VPN.
2. Visit analytics.umbc.edu
3. Click the "Rex Finance 2.0" icon.
4. Select either Finance Summary Reports or Finance Detail Reports.

We'd like to encourage you to take advantage of Rex Finance 2.0 and discover its valuable insights. To support your transition and ensure a smooth experience, please sign up for virtual training on the my.umbc.edu Training Group Page. The initial training will be short and will focus on accessing and navigating the reports. Additional and more robust training will be offered in the following weeks and posted on the same page.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter with Rex Finance 2.0, we acknowledge these two workbooks are only the beginning of a new reporting strategy, as we will deliver more workbooks and features in the future.

Please contact me for any questions or assistance if you need help accessing or navigating Rex Finance 2.0.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to data-driven decision-making at UMBC. With Rex Finance 2.0, we are poised to unlock the full potential of our financial data, empowering us to make strategic and informed decisions for the continued success of our university.

Best regards,

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UMBC’s class of 2023 took the mantra “strength in numbers” to heart as nearly 2,000 graduates crossed the stage during this year’s spring Commencement ceremonies. We can’t confirm it but for those in attendance, it felt like the applause and cheers may have registered on the Richter scale. Each ceremony was unique, just like our graduates, but there were several common themes among the speakers, including the reminder that the journey is just beginning for these Retrievers. 

When in doubt, turn to Rocky

Valedictorian for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; School of Social Work; and Erickson School of Aging Studies morning ceremony, Zinedine Partipilo Cornielles ’23, financial economics and mathematics, shared that inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources…including Rocky Balboa, the fictional boxing legend. Cornielles recently rewatched the series with his roommates and reflected on the struggles Rocky faced.

“Life is not always about winning. It’s about overcoming adversity and challenges as we all have throughout our lives and throughout this journey,” said Cornielles, addressing his classmates. “It’s about standing up again after falling down, and I know that each and everyone of us has been able to get back on our feet—regardless of the number of times we’ve fallen before—because you are here.”

During the afternoon ceremony for the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences; College of Engineering and Information Technology; and Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, valedictorian Christopher Slaughter ’23, computer engineering, revealed his inspiration comes from UMBC itself.

“Although our journey began here at UMBC where we were unaware of our futures, we quickly learned the magic of this place…a place where we do not defer our dreams, but where we seed them, tend them, and watch them grow,” said the Meyerhoff Scholar.