Anyone at UMBC who has ever contracted the flu or any type of illness during a busy semester can probably relate to the panic of having to miss class or brave through their ailment and attend despite debilitating circumstances. There are some people who have to deal with that exact problem constantly, every semester, for possibly the rest of their lives. The treatment of students with chronic illnesses on campus needs to be improved.

There is currently a bill in the Maryland house titled “Task Force on Higher Education Students With Chronic Health Conditions.” This bill sets out to establish a research group to study state-wide data concerning college students with permanent health issues. The bill could be a decent start when it comes to examining the affairs that students with chronic health problems are facing and, more importantly, how to improve their lives on school grounds.

This bill opens the door to further questions on how students with chronic illnesses are treated in universities and by society in general. The allowances made for sports players are often better received than when a student is too sick to attend class, has to miss a quiz, or a stringent deadline. Many at UMBC probably have at least one story where they had to remain absent for an important lecture due to an unplanned bout of sickness.

7 percent of 18 to 23-year-old students face a chronic illness which is sometimes debilitating for their campus careers. As chronic diseases are often invisible and not always immediately noticed outwardly, those who suffer from it may lack support from their school as they need different assistance in comparison to other disabilities.

Similar to the task force bill in Maryland, the DePaul University started the Chronic Illness Initiative which set out to make improvements. Although the CII is no longer a program at the school, the idea behind it is something that UMBC should think about implementing. The enterprise set out to create a better understanding between the faculty and their pupils, keeping both sides understanding and accountable.

Student-athletes are often excused from classes and other important educational events due to their responsibilities towards their teams. Students with chronic illnesses should be afforded similar assistance as their responsibilities range from maintaining their long-term health as well as educational duties.

One solution that should be examined is implementing more virtual style classrooms for already established classes. The student can then view classes they miss through voice recordings and uploaded instructors notes. This would require some training for professors less adept with technology, but it will greatly benefit those who have to learn from a hospital bed.

Another consideration should be towards the sensitive schedules for those having to deal with frequent treatments and doctors visits. The current policy for registration is the students with the highest amount of credits register first and so on. However, an exception should be made for chronically ill students who should be allowed early registration for classes in order to best accommodate their agenda.

The bill could do some good if passed. However, UMBC should be a more proactive force in creating better circumstances for all students. Investing in improved resources for both professors and students can create a more symbiotic campus environment.

Learn how to make your course materials accessible now and save time later! The objective of this hands-on training will focus on providing faculty with the basic skills to assess if their course materials are accessible and to learn how to easily make them accessible to support access and inclusion of students with disabilities and universal design for all learners. Improving access is a campus-wide responsibility and this is how you can be a part of the movement. 

Trainees should bring their laptop with Adobe Acrobat Pro or DC installed (available free at  https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Software ) and at least one PDF document from their course materials. Direct instruction will be provided for both creation of an accessible document and remediation of inaccessible content using common authoring tools including Microsoft and Adobe products. 

For questions or to RSVP, contact Andrew Drummond, SDS Assistive Technology Specialist at adrumm@umbc.edu or reserve a space through the myUMBC event site. Space is limited. 

Hello,

We are hoping that anyone who is interested in becoming an officer (President, VP, Secretary or Treasurer) for the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society for the 2018-19 year would contact Laura Ting or Katie Leiser (LTing@umbc.edu, Leiser@umbc.edu), Phi Alpha faculty advisers.  

All positions are open, and the only criteria is that you would not be graduating in 2018.  We will work with you on suggesting activities for the next year. Many times, students in Phi Alpha work together with the Social Work Student Association on activities. Time spent is flexible, so please consider serving! We can't do it without your help.

Thank you.

Christina Allen of Baltimore, Maryland, was recently selected as the recipient of the 2018 Shirley C. Sorensen Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 22 University of Maryland-University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UM-UMBC).

Each spring, the UM-UMBC chapter invites applications from its undergraduate student members to apply for the $1,000 award. The award, established in 2009, recognizes an undergraduate student for academic excellence.

Christina was selected by the awards committee for her outstanding academic excellence and active participation within the university and the broader community. In particular, the committee was impressed by Christina's perseverance to succeed and to serve others. Christina is a 4.0 student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Social Work with a minor in Sociology. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, she will pursue a master's degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland School of Social Work beginning in fall 2019.

Christina was presented with the Shirley C. Sorensen Award at a ceremony held on April 8, 2018.

The Sorensen Award honors long-time executive secretary of Chapter 22, Shirley C. Sorensen. Professor Sorensen was a member of the University of Maryland's mathematics faculty.

Chartered at College Park in 1920, Chapter 22 recognizes academic excellence across all disciplines. Each year, the chapter invites the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors for membership in Phi Kappa Phi. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

More About Phi Kappa Phi
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 at the University of Maine under the leadership of Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Since its founding, 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Each biennium, Phi Kappa Phi awards $1.4 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

Christina Allen of Baltimore, Maryland, was recently selected by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 22 University of Maryland-University of Maryland, Baltimore County as the single nominee to compete at the national level for the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship.

Each year, Phi Kappa Phi--the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society--recognizes 57 students at colleges and universities across the country with a fellowship for first-year graduate or professional study. Currently, 51 Fellowships of $5,000 and six of $15,000 are awarded each year.

The Chapter 22 awards committee selected Christina as the chapter nominee on the basis of her outstanding academic excellence and active participation within the university and the broader community. Christina is a 4.0 student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Social Work with a minor in Sociology. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, she will pursue a master's degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland School of Social Work beginning in fall 2019.

Christina's application will now go on to compete nationally for one of 57 Fellowships provided by Phi Kappa Phi. The national Fellowship recipients will be announced by Phi Kappa Phi in late June.

Christina was recognized by Chapter 22 as the Fellowship nominee with a $1,000 award at a ceremony held on April 8, 2018.

Chartered at College Park in 1920, Chapter 22 recognizes academic excellence across all disciplines. Each year, the chapter invites the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors for membership in Phi Kappa Phi. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

More About Phi Kappa Phi
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 at the University of Maine under the leadership of Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines. Its mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." Since its founding, 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi. Each biennium, Phi Kappa Phi awards $1.4 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. For more information about Phi Kappa Phi, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

Dr. Pengwang Zhai wins the UMBC College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Early Career Faculty Excellence Award. This award recognizes excellence and promise in scholarship and teaching by a tenure-track assistant professor, for work done at UMBC.

Congratulations Dr. Zhai.