Laura Hussey, an associate professor of political science, recently discussed on WYPR the police accountability bills that died in committees on the last day of the 2015 Maryland General Assembly session. In the story, Hussey said it was a lack of unity that may have led to the bills’ failure.

“Activists need to have some sort of consensus around what’s going to be a viable policy solution to this issue and I don’t think that consensus is there yet,” she said.

Hussey also discussed the belief among some that police accountability is mainly a Baltimore City problem. “Those in outlying areas maybe not so convinced that there’s a problem with police brutality that needs to be reined in,” she said, “they’re afraid that they may be making big changes that will hurt areas where there aren’t problems to help those where there is.”

To listen to the full story on WYPR, click here.

In response to recent research published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution that argued scientists should spend more time studying apes’ behavior in places where humans are disrupting their lives, Erle Ellis was interviewed for a recent article in The New Yorker about his Anthropocene research. In the article, Ellis, an associate professor of geography and environmental systems, discussed his research on human influence on ecosystems around the world.

“This is the ecology that matters now,” Ellis said. “It’s become the most pervasive context. If you’re interested in working across the span of habitat that species are living in, it’s very likely that most of that habitat is under human influence.” Simply ignoring that fact doesn’t make it any less real. “This process is not slowing down,” he added. “It’s speeding up.”

Ellis also commented on the controversial notion that humans are a legitimate part of an area’s ecology worth studying. “A lot of people feel like that’s kind of giving in—that the idea that we could successfully maintain wildlife in human habitats is going to get people to say, ‘Well, we might as well turn everything into parking lots,’ ” Ellis said.

To read the full article in The New Yorker, click here.

On April 9, Norman Augustine, member of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents and former chair and CEO of Lockheed-Martin , visited UMBC to learn more about engineering education and research, as well as technology transfer from universities to the marketplace.

During his visit, Augustine met with President Hrabowski, Julia Ross, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT), and several COEIT faculty. After Ross spoke about COEIT’s success in producing more IT graduates than any other university in Maryland, Anupam Joshi, computer science and electrical engineering, discussed UMBC’s work in cybersecurity. Penny Rheingans, center for Women in Technology, explained her work with encouraging women in information technology and engineering, and Anne Spence, mechanical engineering, shared her experiences in redesigning courses.

Augustine also toured several laboratories and centers, including the MicroMaterials Characterization Laboratory and UMBC’s Center for Advanced Sensor Technology.

Poet-photographer Michael Fallon shared plans for upcoming book

Michael Fallon, poet and photographer, shared sections of his upcoming book, Last Wings Dreaming of Sky, a collection of shots that were taken while on walks with his wife, Ruth.

“Black flames against a white sky…primal scream in wood,” said Michael Fallon while an ominous photograph of a maple tree illuminated a screen. As the audience pored over the photographs, Fallon’s calming voice echoed in the background.

On April 15, with his wife Ruth sitting by his side, Fallon shared a select few of his poems to a group of UMBC students. UMBC faculty also attended this event. Fallon is planning to write a book of poems inspired by his photographs taken on walks with his wife.

Fallon’s work has no specific theme. Whatever subjects he finds interesting, whether they be plastic bottles, water meters, tree trunks, the sky or even shadows are selected.

Like most poets, Fallon writes about the images that he is attracted to. Trees are something that he finds intriguing, and is known to love to photograph. He chalks it up to the Gaelic traditions of his Irish blood. “[Trees] look like sculptures or even human forms,” Fallon said. When working on his new book, he tried to resist only including trees in order to have more variety.

Fallon had an eclectic group of images in his presentation. A photograph of a water meter caught the attention of the audience. Fallon went on to explain that he didn’t think anything of it at first, until he took a double take and found it perfect. “We didn’t even say a word, we had to go back,” said Ruth.

It is evident that Fallon has an ingenious way of thinking. At one point, the presentation showed a photograph of an abandoned water bottle with condensation covering the outside. He titled this piece, “Trapped Jewels,” and described the condensation as tears. The last line of the poem reads, “I wonder what happens to the tears as we walk past.”

By the way each individual kept their eyes glued to the images, and the amount of commentary following the presentation, it was evident that his work was very moving.

Jenny O’Grady, the second speaker of the lecture, saw that combining words with illustration offered a whole new dynamic. “I thought it was amazing that I could concentrate on an image while I heard [Fallon’s] voice,” she said.

Regardless of all the praise, Fallon is still his own critic. Since this book is a work in progress, he finds some of his photographs less effective than others. While describing a photograph of a lake, he wished that he could go back and get a shot of it in a different light. This comment prompted audience questions regarding manipulation of the photographs.

However, one of the fascinating aspects to his photographs is the lack of editing. Other than the occasional cropping, no enhancements are made to the images.

What to take away from Fallon’s work is the idea that photographs take on a whole new meaning and value when combined with poetic imagery. These rhythmic words provide life to the image and tell a story. Fallon’s new book, Last Wings Dreaming of Sky will tell his.

Read more stories from: The Retriever Weekly

Students enjoy four days of fun activities to celebrate Earth Day.

With Earth Day approaching, the Students for Environmental Awareness are hosting EcoFest. There will be four days consisting of four events with the popular GreenFest finishing out the fun.

EcoFest is back. Hosted by UMBC’s Students for Environmental Awareness, this multi-day Earth day celebration begins this week with four great events. On and off campus organizations, as well as students, will come together and demonstrate how they help the environment.

As an organization, SEA works to improve the environment in and around UMBC. Formed in the 1970’s, SEA also spreads awareness about how students can make a positive impact on the environment. EcoFest is held every year on or near Earth Day for the UMBC community and beyond.

EcoFest began on April 16 with screenings of the movie “Wall-E” and TED Talks, both of which shared an environmental theme. Attendees enjoyed free popcorn. The movie featured in 2014 was “The Lorax,” and students posed for photos with paper Lorax moustaches.

On April 17, students gathered around The Commons’ Main Street to create their own Eco crafts. The following day, there was a hike through UMBCs conservation and environmental research area. During the trek, students cleaned the area in order to help maintain the campus’ beautiful green spaces.

Last year’s signature EcoFest event saw hundreds in attendance. Live music filled the air during free hour from some of UMBCs acapella groups, steel drums and acoustic guitars. DIY crafts and representatives of local businesses were made available to students. Environmental organizations also taught sustainability to those attending the event.

The main event, the newly named GreenFest, will be held just before Earth Day on April 20 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This year, live music will return to the Quad. There will also be free food, Earth Day related activities and service opportunities available.

Despite positive attendance over the years, some students have not attended GreenFest in the past. However, many recognized the event by name. The event takes place near the end of the semester and many students may be too busy with final projects to attend.

Along with SEA, other campus organizations are celebrating UMBC’s Earth Week. The 5k for Earth Day race returns April 22. A climate symposium will be held April 20, in which a panel of experts, including two doctors from NASA, will discuss Earth’s climate and answer questions prompted by the UMBC community.

To help make UMBC sustainable year round, all are welcome to attend the SEA meetings. The group meets on Mondays at noon in Math Psych 102.

Read more stories from: The Retriever Weekly

Single Carrot Theatre seeks female actors between the ages of 35-50 for a role in its upcoming production of Blind from Here by Ensemble Member Alix Fenhagen.

Audition date: Monday, April 27th, 7:30pm-10:30pm

Please Bring to the audition: two contrasting monologues and 16 bars of a song. You will also be asked to read a monologue from the play cold.

The USM Women’s Forum Student Scholarship (up to $500) is open to all students enrolled/attending a USM institution for the fall semester of the year scholarship application. To be eligible for the award, you must have earned a total of 48 undergraduate OR 9 graduate credits, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 at your USM institution, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have demonstrated financial need. One scholarship per lifetime.

The scholarship is open to both men and women. Application materials must be received by June 30th in order to be considered for the award.

The USM Women’s Forum Professional Staff Development Award (up to $500) provides funding to eligible staff members currently employed at USM institutions for a minimum of five (5) years cumulative service (with verification of employment supported by the applicant’s USM institution’s Human Resources Department). The USMWF wishes to encourage and enable staff to pursue training and/or professional development activities to enhance current job skills and/or seek career advancement opportunities. Funding can be used for non-credit courses and conferences.

The award is open to both men and women. Application materials must be received by June 30th in order to be considered for the award.

The USM Women’s Forum Faculty Research Award (up to $1000) is designed to provide a funding opportunity for faculty who are pursuing research on women’s experiences: social, scientific, economic, political, and health conditions that impact women. All faculty who hold an academic appointment at any of the USM institutions may apply with preference given to junior faculty members at the rank of assistant professor, research associate, or instructor. In addition, faculty must be within five years of their appointment. Only one proposal per investigator will be considered.

The award is open to both men and women. Application materials must be received by June 30th in order to be considered for the award.

Possible Delays This Afternoon in Downtown Baltimore

Due to planned protest at City Hall. Transit riders should expect delays or detours on the Downtown A/B Route. Please check here for further updates!