The Thanksgiving leftovers have dwindled away and many of us have put a significant dent in our holiday shopping lists, having bustled through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Three years ago, Giving Tuesday was established to encourage us to to break away from the consumerism and chaos that has swallowed up our holiday season and return to a spirit of giving.

This year, there are a number of great causes to consider at UMBC for Giving Tuesday.

While many students will enjoy much-needed time off from classes with family and friends over their spring break this March, four different groups of students will be giving back to the community on service trips through Alternative Spring Break.

They need our help.

Each of these trips requires resources. It’s gas for vans or a plane ticket on trips that are further afield. It’s food and accommodations where they’ll be staying. Sometimes, there are even fees associated with the opportunity of participating in the projects. The more we can help them raise now, the less money each student participant will have to pay out of pocket in March. Even a modest gift of $10 or $20 will make a difference.

These students are making an impact in the world beyond UMBC, and they need your support. Please consider donating to one of the Alternative Spring Break projects, or to any of the other worthwhile student-led projects that are affecting change both on and off campus.

Your commitment truly is a gift that will keep on giving, and our communities will benefit from the great work of the students this spring.

Thank you!

Support UMBC Students on #GivingTuesday

Facilities Management will be providing an open forum to provide details about all upcoming campus construction projects. The open forum will be held in ITE Room 104 (Lecture Hall 7) from 12-12:50 p.m., Friday, December 5, 2014.

The projects to be discussed affect the entire campus population and will be of interest to the majority of staff, faculty and students on campus.

The New Campus Entranceway

This project will alter the intersections at UMBC Blvd., Research Park Drive, and Hilltop Circle to incorporate traffic circles for improved safety and better traffic flow. Pedestrian plazas adjacent to the RAC and Admin Bldg will be improved, as well.

Stormwater Facility (Pond) Renovation

This project will perform upgrades to enhance the function and appearance of the pond. The perimeter walls will be replaced, the pond deepened, and the landscape upgraded to provide a more functional stormwater runoff, as well as a more pleasing gathering space.

The Fine Arts Building Renovation

This project will renovate space vacated by departments relocating into the new Performing Arts and Humanities Building. The upper floors of the north and south wings will be renovated to accommodate other departments and building systems will be updated for more efficient operation.

Apartment Renovations

This project will renovate West Hills Apartments, the last phase of renovation of the apartment complexes. Hillside and Terrace Apartments were completed in previous phases.

The Event Center

The Event Center and Arena is proposed to be approximately 164,000 gross sq. ft. The center will operate as a multipurpose event facility to host a variety of revenue and non-revenue generating activities that serve both the University and local community needs. It will also serve as the home for the Athletic Dept. and the varsity basketball and volleyball programs. The project site is located along the east side of Hilltop Circle, opposite Commons Drive.

Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building

This project will seamlessly connect teaching and research activities to enhance and stimulate collaborative approaches to advance the State's biotechnology industry and increase the number of STEM graduates. The building, located on the site of the Academic Services Building, will provide approximately 131,000 gross sq. ft. of flexible and adaptable research and education spaces to support current and future interdisciplinary life science programs.

Administration Building Green Roof

The France-Merrick Foundation approved a $1 million grant to support building a vegetated roofing system/green roof on the top floor of the Administration Building. This project will illustrate the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Thank you for your participation in this information sharing opportunity.

We encourage you to join our myUMBC group to receive news and updates and stay apprised of how construction projects across campus may impact you.

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