This May, the Division of Institutional Equity has a full lineup of events and opportunities for the UMBC community. All events and opportunities across the division are open to full participation by all community members.
Here’s how you can get involved!
May 4 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm | The Commons: 2B23
Media Bytes: Dialogue and Meaning in Bollywood Lyrics
Join the Center for Social Justice Dialogue for an interactive session exploring the cultural depth, emotion, and storytelling within Bollywood music. Participants will engage with selected songs to examine how Hindi and Urdu lyrics convey meaning beyond translation. Through guided dialogue, participants will reflect on how language, context, and personal experience shape interpretation. This event creates space for connection, learning, and shared perspectives, and is open to all individuals.
May 7 | 3 pm - 4:30 pm | The Commons: 2B23
SistaCare
Join the Center for Social Justice Dialogue for SistaCare - a community care and dialogue group that provides a supportive space to explore the experiences of Black/Africana women and femmes on campus while fostering connection, reflection, and care. These sessions invite participants to learn, share, and build community, and are open to all individuals.
May 6 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Commons: 318
Tools to Navigate Campus Conflict
The 80/20 Principle: Toward a Restorative UMBC: Restorative practices are most effective when most of the focus—about 80%—is placed on proactively building relationships, trust, and community, rather than only responding after harm occurs. This approach emphasizes slowing down, strengthening connections, and intentionally creating a foundation of care so that when challenges do arise, the community is already grounded in trust and mutual understanding.
May 11 | 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | The Commons 004
“Stories we Carry”: AAPI Storytelling Circle
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center for Stories We Carry, an AAPI Storytelling Circle where participants gather in community to share and reflect on experiences through guided conversation in a supportive space.
May 12 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | The Commons: 004
RAL End of Semester Celebration
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center to celebrate the dedication, resilience, and achievements of Returning Adult Learners at this end-of-semester gathering. This event offers a space to relax, connect, and reflect on the journey alongside peers and community members. The event is open to all individuals.
May 13 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Virtual
UMBC Talks: Inclusive Excellence
Join the Center for Social Justice Dialogue and the Center for Democracy and Civic Life for the last session of the UMBC Talks series—co-facilitated dialogues designed to shape UMBC’s shared definition of inclusive excellence. This culminating session invites students, faculty, and staff to engage with a draft framework, share perspectives, and help shape the university’s future vision and strategic direction.
Cultural Heritage Month Celebrations
May is Jewish American Heritage Month, and Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American Heritage Month. Stay tuned for our ‘Read, Watch, Listen, Participate’ posts.
Discussion Group Meetings
Join the Women’s, Gender, and Equity Center this month for weekly discussion group meetings! Connect, share, and grow through spaces such as Grad Connect, We Believe You, Rebuilding Manhood, Spectrum, Women of Color Collective, Women and Gender Minorities in STEM, Returning Adult Learners, Athletics Group, Between Femmes, and Head Space. Visit https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/womenscenter/events?mode=upcoming&page=1 for more information and schedules for each group.
Employee Annual Title IX Training Requirement
Pursuant to UMBC's Interim Policy on Sex Discrimination, Sex-Based Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct, all faculty (including adjunct faculty), staff (regular and contingent), and student-employees (including teaching assistants and graduate assistants) are required to complete Title IX training each year. Employees who have not yet completed the training requirement should review the instructions and complete the three asynchronous modules outlined as soon as possible. New employees should complete training within 60 days of hire. The training will cover topics such as an overview of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights (ECR), what constitutes prohibited conduct under university policy, responding to a disclosure, procedures for reporting and resolving reports of prohibited conduct, trauma-informed care, confidentiality, and other applicable policies and procedures. Additional information regarding the training may be found in ECR's training FAQs. If you still have questions, please contact ECR at ECRtraining@umbc.edu.