A huge thank you to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for collecting over 3,500 non-perishable food items for Retriever Essentials (retrieveressentials.umbc.edu) at UMBC.

What happens on our UMBC campus when you put out a call at 8 p.m. the night before that you need volunteers to help move all of this food across campus? Take at look at the photos to see how our phenomenal UMBC community of Retrievers comes together at a moments notice to help others in need!!

Thank you to everyone who donated food, to SAAC, UMBC athletes, faculty and staff and to all of our volunteers. Together we moved thousands of pounds of food across campus in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Go Retrievers!!!

We are pleased to announce that the application for the 2020 Biostatistics Epidemiology Summer Training (BEST) Diversity Program is now available here. BEST was established to expand and diversify the behavioral and biomedical sciences’ workforce by introducing undergraduates from underrepresented populations to biostatistics and cardiovascular and pulmonary disease research. Students representing racial and ethnic minority groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and students with disabilities join the Department of Biostatistics at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health’s for eight weeks of research, training, academic and career planning, and social activities around New York City.

This program is for quantitatively inclined undergraduates interested in public health, who fit any of the following criteria:

1)      Underrepresented students in STEM, including racial/ethnic minorities (African-Americans, Hispanic/Latino-Americans, Native Americans or Alaskan Natives)

2)      Low-income students

3)      First generation college students

4)      Students with disabilities

We will be selecting 14 students for the Summer 2020 program which will run from May 26-July 17. 

The application deadline is March 1, 2020. 

For more information about BEST, please visit: publichealth.columbia.edu/BEST

As we move into the holiday season we want to remind residential students that all communities close for Winter Break on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 8PM except for Potomac Hall, Harbor Hall (1st North/West, 2nd South/West, 3rd South/West) and the Apartments.

If your student is leaving for the break please use the refer to the Break Closing Procedures to help reduce the risk of fire, minimize pest problems, and increase the security of your room and belongings. 

Halls re-open Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 9AM.   If you have any questions concerning Winter Break please contact the Residential Life Office at  410-455-2591.

During the winter break, we encourage students to make some smart moves!

·  Connect with first semester influences - Think back to anyone you made a connection with during your fall semester that could be an asset in the future, and keep in touch. If you had a great professor, send them a thank-you note or e-mail expressing your appreciation.

·  Update your resume - Regardless of where you are in your job search or college track, use this spare time to create or update your resume.

·  Analyze last semester and make adjustments - Take time to reflect on last semester as a whole – your academic life, your social life, health, finances, job, and so on. What worked for you? What didn’t?

·  Find a short-term internship - Put your time off to good use with a short-term internship. Inquire about internship opportunities during break at your Career Center.

·  Earn college credits - Finish 15, Graduate in 4, knock out a class during the winter holiday. Winter Session 2020.

Spring Semester Housing Plans for Residential Students 

If your student was a fall resident it is important to note that they have acknowledged a housing license that is for the entire academic year. If for some reason they do not plan to return to UMBC and/or housing in the Spring, it is important that you review the following information with them:

·  December Graduates & Study Abroad: Residents who have applied and are approved for December graduation or spring Study Abroad are automatically released from the terms of the license.  They are not expected to complete a petition form. Walker Avenue residents should contact the WAA Management Office via email. They are expected to check-out by 8PM on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. 

·  Not Returning to UMBC (Transfer, Withdraw and/or Leave): Students who do not plan to return to UMBC in the Spring are not automatically released from the housing license. They should contact Residential Life  request access to theHousing License Petition Request Form.  If approved, they are expected to check-out by 8PM on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. 

All students who are contemplating not returning to UMBC and/or housing in the spring are encouraged to contact the Residential Life Central or the WAA Management Office to explore options and next steps. Information about the petition process can be found at https://reslife.umbc.edu/apply/housing_procedures/