UMBC is continuing to redefine excellence in higher education. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is committed to inclusive excellence and facing the challenge of understanding our position in society and our role in dismantling structural racism.

The UMBC community was invited to learn about our Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Campus Center and our campus’s connection to a national framework addressing race equity on September 24. The Shriver Center’s Choice Program, along with community partners, shared how structural racism has impacted youth development in Maryland and how we all can become agents of change.

Thank you to the panel members who presented and over 350 community members who attended!

Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation in Our Communities Town Hall
Thursday, September 24, 4pm-6pm
View a recording of the event here or on OEI's website.
Responses to Q&A coming soon!

Please look for more Empowered University events.

As influenza (flu) season quickly approaches, it is important to take precautions to prevent the spread of influenza. Getting a flu vaccination is particularly important this year. It will help reduce the number of preventable hospitalizations related to flu, which will, in turn, support our nation's medical community in ensuring that persons impacted by COVID-19 receive adequate and timely medical care. 

We are encouraging everyone to get a vaccine this season. 

Please take time to familiarize yourself with the CDC guidance on Seasonal Influenza Prevention and Vaccination. 

It is possible to have both COVID-19 and influenza. Getting a flu vaccine helps to protect you, the UMBC community, and beyond from the spread of seasonal flu.

The treatment for influenza for healthy people is mostly “supportive,” meaning rest, plenty of fluids, and fever-reducing medication as needed. Antiviral medications may be helpful, especially for students, faculty, and staff who have chronic medical problems (e.g., asthma or diabetes) and can be discussed with your primary care provider. Antiviral medications are most effective if started within 48 hours of developing flu symptoms.

If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.  Please report your symptoms on the Daily Symptom Monitoring form.

Take fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) if you do have a fever (temperature over 100°F). Please check your temperature using a working thermometer. If your fever persists for more than 48 hours in spite of taking these medications, please seek medical care.

Drink lots of fluids.

If you have been diagnosed with the flu and develop shortness of breath or severe fatigue, call your healthcare provider or go to an emergency room.

University Health Services

uhs.umbc.edu

With his 12 years of OSP experience, Mike brings extensive understanding to the overall support of UMBC’s Research and Creative Achievement activities.  With Mike assuming this important position, we are confident OSP’s high level of service and expertise will continue. 

Please join us in congratulating Mike on this well-deserved promotion.

UMBC International Education Services (IES) and the English Language Institute (ELI) have begun planning International Education Week 2020! IEW is a joint initiative between the US Department of State and the Department of Education hosted by universities annually in mid-November. It’s an opportunity to highlight international initiatives on campus, celebrate the international student population, and expose domestic students to international experiences they would not otherwise know. 

• International Education Week:  November 16-20, 2020

• All 2020 IEW events will be held virtually

• International Education Week Website: https://iew.state.gov/

What’s Next?

Planning Committee Search:

IES and the ELI are looking to form a planning committee for International Education Week, and we would like a member(s) of your department to be a part of it. This committee will organize and promote UMBC’s International Education Week. They will ensure the week creates a fun, engaging, and educational week of programming for all members of the UMBC community. Currently, the committee meets biweekly and is in the early stages of the planning process

• If you are interested in joining the IEW Planning Committee please email iew@umbc.edu as soon as possible!

Event Proposal Submissions:

If no member of your department is able to join the planning committee, we are still strongly encouraging all departments across campus to get involved by hosting a virtual event, for students (current and prospective), staff, faculty and/or the wider UMBC community during IEW. A separate email will be sent at that time, with additional information on all things planning IEW Proposals and Events 

IEW also supports and helps to further promote the university-wide effort towards internationalization. For further information regarding International Education Week contact us at iew@umbc.edu. Additionally, you may visit the official website at https://iew.state.gov/ and see the attached infographic. 

We hope you're inspired and energized to bring the world to UMBC!