Did you know... 

Recycling

Republic Services is UMBC's hauler for recycling and trash. You can learn more about what can be recycled on their website. UMBC gets funds for paper recycling from Paper Retriever (there were dumpsters labelled for that) but you can put any type of recycling in the mixed (plastic/aluminum/glass) recycling container, those recycling bins are later sorted at the facility by an automated machine. 

So when in doubt if something is recyclable, just recycle it. 

Compost

A company called Waste Neutral picks up UMBC's compost and hauls it to a facility in Prince George's County. The facility doesn't accept compost that's contaminated with non compostable materials (like plastic, glass, etc). 

But when in doubt if something is compostable, don't compost it unless it's clearly food scraps or paper napkins or something that you know is biodegradable or labelled compostable!

Read the do's and don't of recycling and composting here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/sustainability/posts/59694 

UMBC’s third annual Engineers Week brought the campus community and corporate partners together for a celebration of the ways engineers contribute to society and the workforce. The week-long celebration was planned by UMBC’s engineering student groups, and included nearly a dozen special events to mark the national week.  

“For this year’s Engineers Week, we wanted to expand the planning committee to include leaders from every engineering organization on campus,” explained Sean Najmi ‘18, chemical engineering, president of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honors society.

Brian Wayman ‘99, mechanical engineering, now program manager for GE Healthcare, delivered the opening remarks to kick off Engineers Week at UMBC. He shared stories about his personal, academic, and professional journeys.

As a student at UMBC, Wayman was involved with Tau Beta Pi and the National Society of Black Engineers, and held a series of internships that opened doors and had a major impact on his career trajectory. During his time at GE, Wayman has helped develop half a dozen products, including infant incubators, critical to the early lives of premature babies. Wayman detailed challenges he’s faced and difficult decisions he had to make throughout the course of his career, and offered advice for students now exploring their future professional pathways.

The week’s closing speaker was Arvind Krishna, senior vice president for hybrid cloud, and director of IBM Research. IBM is currently collaborating with UMBC on the Accelerated Cognitive Cybersecurity Lab. Krishna discussed the cognitive revolution the rapid technological changes that the world has experienced. He explored how new technologies are not just helping humanity share information on a global scale, but are are solving major societal challenges, such as by reducing pollution, improving food safety, and strengthening banks.

Throughout the week, student organizations within the College of Engineering and Information Technology hosted events to highlight the breadth of opportunities and career paths available to UMBC students. A diversity forum gave students the opportunity to hear from industry professionals at Cisco, Northrop Grumman, and RMF Engineering. During the forum, panelists discussed and reflected on their experiences related to diversity in engineering.

The popular Battle of the Engineers event attracted a large, enthusiastic audience as teams of students from chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering; computer science and electrical engineering; and mechanical engineering competed in whimsical  and creative minute-to-win-it-style competitions. The CBEE team emerged victorious, and took home the 2017 Battle of the Engineers trophy.  

Already, organizer Sean Najmi is looking ahead to drawing in student of all majors, including those outside of engineering, with an interest in collaboratively solving major global challenges and exploring diverse career paths. He shares, “My hope is that Engineers Week will soon become something the whole campus community looks forward to each year.”

Head coach Ryan Odom’s first year with the Retrievers came to an end on March 1 after a road loss in the playoffs against the University of New Hampshire. The season ends as the Retriever’s first winning season since 2008, and only the fourth season with 18 or more wins in the school’s history.

Men’s basketball started the game slowly and lost control through the first half, with uncharacteristically bad shooting leading to a deficit of seven in the half. Though the Retrievers were tight defensively and did not have any excessive turnovers, they struggled to get points on the board against a taut New Hampshire defense.

The second half spiraled away from the Retrievers before the deficit became as large as 13 points. UMBC then managed to find the grit through junior Jairus Lyles (who’s 17 points led the team) to rally back to a one point deficit with about a quarter of the game remaining.

The rest of the game was a series of runs, with the Retrievers fighting their way back into it before New Hampshire killed UMBC’s momentum. With a minute and a half left and a seven point deficit, Lyles managed to create a vivacious play that would try to spark the Retrievers, but it would be the final surge for the away side. New Hampshire junior guard Jaleen Smith converted a game leading shot and one in return, and the Retrievers would fail to put points up for the rest of the night as New Hampshire put the game away with free throws.

Coach Odom’s management in his first season proved to be a revitalization of how the program approached the game. High press defense, ambitious shooting, exciting ball movement, and endurance in big moments were all trademarks in the Retrievers play this season. The team was definitely one of the most improved in the nation from last year, and is sure to continue to grow.

Senior guard Will Darley had a breakout season for his final year in the black and yellow. During the regular season he shot an astronomical 48 percent from the field, with an equally impressive 45 percent from beyond the arc. Darley certainly grew and found his style under coach Odom and showed continual improvement through the season.

For the UMBC basketball program, the goal in 2017-2018 will certainly be to expand upon the progress that was made during this last season. With most of the starters staying and an eager and hungry supporting cast to fill the holes, it is definitely an exciting season to come for the UMBC faithful.

The post Men’s basketball’s rejuvenating season ends in New Hampshire appeared first on The Retriever.

After an arduous five-hour labor committee hearing this past Wednesday, the fight for increasing Baltimore’s minimum wage has trudged along with increased support within City Council. Last August, the bill failed to garner enough votes and was sent back to committee.

This time around, with eight new Democrats at City Council and a few new amendments, the bill has passed through committee with four votes for and one vote against it, and could go to a preliminary vote with a full Council as early as this Monday (03/06).

The bill aims to increase Baltimore’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022, a move that worried small business-owners across the city. In an attempt to compromise, new amendments now allow small businesses (those with 50 or fewer employees or an annual gross income of $400,000 or less) until 2026 to reach the city’s wage goal. Additionally, the amendments exclude workers under 21, trainees and interns from the new minimum wage.

Still, there were many testifying against the bill – mainly business owners or representatives. Donald C. Fry, President of the Greater Baltimore Committee, the “region’s premier business advocacy group,” released a position statement highlighting some of the issues the bill presents to businesses.

Among those worries are the increased cost for businesses to operate and the “additional competitive burden” the bill would place on the city, as an increased wage in Baltimore could potentially cause businesses to move to neighboring counties, where they could enjoy lower costs, lower taxes and a lower crime rate. This “island effect” was a main point of contention for the opposing panelists.

“There’s no question that the sponsors and supporters of this bill are well-intended. But the GBC and businesses in general have serious concerns that the passage of this bill would be counterproductive to this city’s competitiveness.” Fry said in his testimony.

“Our greatest competition comes from the surrounding counties. These counties, not the city, will become more attractive locations for retailers if Baltimore City decides to unilaterally raise the minimum wage” said Kirby Fowler, President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

Representatives from retailers, restaurants and grocery stores testified against the bill, citing their low profit margins high business costs.

“If many weren’t multi-jurisdictional operators, they could not remain open in the city” said Cailey Locklair Tolle, President of the Maryland Retailers Association, citing grocery stores operating at a loss in Baltimore food deserts. In her testimony, Tolle stated that more residents would end up living in food deserts, as an increase in minimum wage would push markets and grocers out of business.

Councilman Bill Henry was quick to rebut statements by the opposition:

“If you as a business owner have to pay your employee less than a living wage so you can make more than a living wage, then that’s the problem with your business model. To everyone opposing this legislation, what do you make an hour?” he said.

“If you’re going to be here to complain, please be prepared to explain to us why you are so close to insolvency that it would be a practical difficulty for you to pay the employees that make your business run more.” Henry said to a wave of applause.

Testifying in favor of the bill was Anthony Williams, a longtime Baltimore resident who has struggled with homelessness and mental illness. After getting a job paying $15 an hour and recurring to homelessness programs, Williams was able to find a place to live.

In the end, the bill passed through committee with council members Mary Pat Clarke, Bill Henry, committee chair Shannon Sneed and Councilman Robert Stokes voting in favor. Council member Eric Costello was the only vote against it.

“Fifteen dollars are not going to make anyone rich” said Clarke, the bill’s chief sponsor. “We’re trying to help people who currently can’t make ends meet.”

The post Baltimore’s fight for $15 moves along — slowly but surely appeared first on The Retriever.

Staff can join in on National Nutrition Month: Put Your Best Fork Forward this Friday March 10th for lunch at True Grits $6 Fridays. Enjoy your very own customizable California Grain Bowl [sautéed swiss chard and red onion with roasted sweet potatoes, and fresh slices of avocado served on a bed of quinoa topped with housemade hummus and housemade Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette], made to order in the Pantry. Staff can also make their own dressing at the dietitian’s table and receive recipe cards for making their very own grain bowls and dressings at home. See attachment for more details.