Dear UMBC Community,

As you know, teams are actively repairing damage to buildings across campus from water line breaks, caused by a power outage coupled with record low temperatures, over the winter break. We are writing to update the community on the measures we are taking to ensure that buildings are safe for community members as they reopen. 

• Water extraction and drying efforts began immediately after the water line breaks were contained. 

• Environmental Safety and Health, in partnership with an industrial hygienist, evaluated these areas to ensure that there was not remaining moisture that might spur mold growth. 

• Professional water remediation contractors are in the process of removing and replacing any affected walls that retained moisture. 

• As this work is completed and before spaces and buildings reopen, each space will receive a final cleaning. 

• All HVAC filters in air handling units in affected spaces will also be changed after construction is complete and regularly thereafter.   

Our team is following all industry best practices to make sure that spaces are free of mold, dust, and other health challenges before they can be occupied. Every effort is being made to restore all campus spaces back to their previous conditions before the events occurred.

At this time, the Administration Building, Biological Sciences, and Schwartz Hall remain closed. Once remediation efforts have been completed and fire alarm and other safety systems are operational, we anticipate these buildings will partially reopen. However, we expect continued repairs will make it impossible to fully reopen these buildings for some time. We are working closely with building occupants to understand the immediate effect on research, staff work, and upcoming classes and to make alternative arrangements as necessary. When we have a clear reopening timeline, we will share that with the campus community. 

We appreciate your support and patience as we make these repairs.

Kathy L. Dettloff, Vice President for Administration and Finance

Lenn Caron, Senior Associate Vice President, Administrative Services

We look forward to a new semester and we continue to improve and enhance our processes to fit the needs of our campus. We are making an update to our scheduling process which you may see as we move into the spring semester. Moving forward, we will be adding a new tool to our toolkit to better address 25live requests and help schedulers effectively communicate their needs when requesting space.  We will begin using the “denied” event state for requests when we receive: 

• Requests with inadequate turnaround time or outside reasonable planning parameters

• Events proposed in an unsuitable location

• Lack of information in the request which makes evaluation of the needs of the request uncertain

Please keep in mind that a denial is not a judgment on your proposed request. We are using it as an opportunity to obtain clear and relevant information to better assist you moving forward with your goals. 

If an event request is denied, a member of the events team will reach out with advice as to how to resubmit with the proper information. You can always reach out to the Event & Conference Services team at 5-3615 or at schedule@umbc.edu for assistance. 

In partnership,

Matt Bolling