In accordance with the President's policies on COVID-19, Campus Life Business Services will be teleworking. Until additional guidance is provided by the University, we will continue on this plan. Business and administrative processes will be maintained and monitored. There may be a slight delay in responding to requests, but you should anticipate a reply within 24 hours. For assistance contact clbusiness@umaryland.edu or call 410-706-5727.

Beginning March 16, 2020, the Office of Educational Support and Disability Services (ESDS) will be transitioning to telework in adherence with UMB policy. With the exception of the Testing Center, services will continue to be available to students through ESDS, including but not limited to: access to academic accommodations, initial meetings, consultations, and academic coaching services.  The Testing Center, located on the lower level of the SMC, will be closed.

You may contact ESDS regarding any questions or concerns by contacting the office by phone (410-706-5889) or email at disabilityservices@umaryland.edu. Please check https://www.umaryland.edu/coronavirus/ for updates from the University. We will update you on changes to ESDS operations after receiving additional guidance from the University.

In accordance with the President's policies on COVID-19, any scheduled events or meetings that do not meet the guidelines will be cancelled or postponed.  Those within the guidelines, will be encouraged to be hosted virtually when feasible, or must practice social distancing.  Guests will be restricted. 

Until additional guidance is provided by the University, we will communicate to planners that their event has been cancelled or rescheduled a minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled date. Events may be approved with a tentative hold for an event scheduled four weeks out.  Event Services will work with planners individually to reschedule dates when allowable. 

• All fees and penalties for cancelled meetings and events will be waived
• Requests will continue to be accepted for future events, but will not be approved for dates while operating within Step 2
• There may be a slight delay in responding to requests, but you should anticipate a reply within 24-48 hours.

At this time, UMB Housing at Fayette Square Apartments and Pascault Row Apartments remains open for all UMB students/faculty/staff.

In lieu of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s recommendations to limit the risk of contracting and transferring COVID-19, UMB Housing is implementing changes to several procedures. Please note the following, effective immediately, within the UMB Housing community:

• In alignment with the University’s recommendation of social distancing, UMB Housing is asking that all communication with the office staff to be done via phone or email and for residents to not physically enter the office space. While we will be working from the UMB Housing Office, the entrance door will be locked and we will bring packages, carts, loaner keys, etc. to a table outside the entry door, upon request, for residents to then obtain as necessary.
• When using the elevators or exiting or entering the building, it is advised to do so using your elbow or forearm to push the crash bar or to call the elevator and select your floor. Another option is to wear gloves or use a sleeve or piece of fabric to open doors or select the elevator buttons.
• All study lounges, the computer center, and the Skyline Lounge will be locked until further notice.
• Coffee and cookies services are suspended.
• Laundry rooms will remain open but do not enter if another resident is already inside the room, please wait until that person has left and then enter the laundry room.
• Work Orders - Our maintenance staff may wear a mask and gloves when completing work orders within a residential unit, in an abundance of caution. If a unit is self-isolated or has been quarantined, only emergency work orders will be completed. 

As we stand with the University in taking proactive, cautionary measures to limit the risk of contracting and transferring COVID-19, we ask that individuals who are sick to self-isolate to limit the spread of germs.  Individuals who present with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 (defined as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) should practice social distancing, should seek guidance form a healthcare provider, and should continue self-isolation until directed otherwise by a healthcare provider.

As this will bring an increase of Wi-Fi users during the day, we highly recommend obtaining an Ethernet cord to help ensure a faster and more reliable internet connection.   

As a reminder our daytime office number is 410-706-5523 and the after-hours phone number is 410-706-5528.  Our email is umbhousing@umaryland.edu.

During this time, the office will still have 24/7 coverage by the UMB Housing Staff and UMB Security.

For more information, visit the UMB Housing website.

As of Monday, March 16, 2020, ISLSI will have moved many of our programs to the virtual setting. We carefully conducted a program audit to determine which programs needed to be postponed, cancelled, or offered virtually.

If you have registered for an ISLSI program you will receive an update via email containing details about that program moving forward.

Students enrolled in the PSLI program will receive a revised schedule of virtual programs by Saturday, March 14,2020. Please note that some changes were made to the PSLI offering based on the type of event, if the session is required or optional, facilitator availability, etc.

As flexibility and humility are cornerstones of leadership, we ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to respond to the guidance of the University.

At this time all ISLSI staff are teleworking in adherence with UMB policy. We will update our website as additional guidance is provided by University leadership. Please direct any questions or concerns regarding the ISLSI or PSLI operations to Courtney J. Jones Carney who will funnel your message to the correct ISLSI contact person. 

Visit the ISLSI website for more information.

Due to COVID-19, the Office of International Services (OIS) will continue teleworking. Note that virtual services and resources are available online. Moreover, please reach out to OIS by email at ois-info@umaryland.edu. International students and scholars may request appointments with OIS staff via Zoom or Webex by completing the appointment request e-form in Sunpasis.

Review the updates on the OIS website. 

In accordance with the President's policies on COVID-19, the One Card Office will be teleworking. Until additional guidance is provided by the University, we will continue on this plan. Critical One Card requests may be provided by appointment only. 

For assistance contact ejones@umaryland.edu or call 410-706-8203.

UMB Student Affairs is pleased to announce that on Monday, August 17, the first and second floors of the SMC Campus Center will re-open to UMB students and on-campus employees. The Campus Center will be operational Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Seven Scholars University Bookstore will operate with limited services from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Dining options, such as the CulinArt Cafe and The Market at UMB remain closed at this time.

The Campus Center has been reconfigured to prioritize spaces for students to touch down, study, and eat down in-between in-person academic commitments during this period of Moderate-Density Operations on campus. Students and employees are expected to comply with the UMB face covering and physical distancing requirements while on campus.

Additionally, as noted in Interim President Bruce E. Jarrell’s COVID-19 Testing for Employees and Students Returning to Campus announcement on July 31, 2020, students and employees must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test taken within 14 days prior to coming to campus. Visit the testing, hygiene, and health page of the UMB Recovery website for information about testing locations and how to submit testing results. Students and employees must complete the UMB SAFE on Campus Daily Symptom Monitoring requirement, prior to coming to campus. UMB Students, faculty, and staff must also complete the required COVID-19 online training prior to coming to campus.

For more information, including frequently asked questions and health and safety requirements in the SMC Campus Center, please visit the SMC Campus Center website.

Due to the UMB Policies and Guidance Regarding COVID-19, the Student Counseling Center is offering virtual mental health services to UMB students in the Fall 2020 semester. The SCC will continue to support students within the scope of our professional ethical standards and as members of the community. In-person services are not available until additional guidance has been provided by the University.

Services include a variety of tele-mental health services, including individual therapy, consultation, referral assistance, workshops, and more. Please note that when you reach out, a staff member or clinician may need to call you via a private number. As of right now, we are unable to directly pick up the phone (unless you are utilizing the Crisis Support Line at option 7). We aim to respond to all messages within one business day.

For students who are currently under our care (clients) and need to communicate with their SCC provider, please contact your counselor either via their email or by calling 410-328-8404 and leaving a voice mail message (option 3).

Clients requiring medication refills, please call our number (410-328-8404) select option #5 and leave a voicemail message with your name and phone number. Please allow additional time (up to a week) to respond to your requests.

If you are interested in one of our workshops, which are available to all current students regardless of location, please click here: https://www.umaryland.edu/counseling/services/workshops/.

For more information, visit our Operational Changes webpage.

If you are experiencing a life threatening mental health emergency, please call 911 or UMB police (410-706-3333). You can also contact Baltimore City Crisis Response (410-433-5157) or Baltimore County Crisis Response (410-931-2214). Other counties are listed on our Crisis Care Resources page.

Please note that Sheppard Pratt's Crisis Walk In Clinic is offering in-person and virtual urgent services for those in crisis (https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/virtual-crisis-walk-in-clinic/).

Student Development and Leadership is now under the banner of the Intercultural Leadership and Engagement Center. Because of the impact of COVID-19 on hosting meetings and events on campus, we will continue to offer campus-wide programs and activities in a virtual environment. Please direct any questions or concerns to Ms. Cyndi Rice, email crice@umaryland.edu.

Due to UMB’s Recommendations and Policies Regarding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Telework Policy, URecFit will be closed beginning Saturday, March 14 and we will remain closed until additional guidance has been provided by the University.  

• We strongly encourage all students and members currently utilizing locker service (day or long term) to retrieve all items. 
• Members will not be charged their membership fee or lose days. 
• All payroll deduction memberships will be placed on hold/suspended effective with the 20-20 pay period (3/15/20 – 3/28/20) with a paycheck date of 4/17/20.  All payroll deductions will restart once URecFit reopens. Payroll deduction members will not be charged for half of a pay period, only the next full pay period.  After URecFit reopens, all paid members will be provided with a promo code to be redeemed at the URecFit business desk for a $0 membership for the duration of the closure.  The promo code must be redeemed prior to 12/31/20.

We will communicate any updates via the URecFit website and through direct email messages, based on additional guidance provided by UMB.

More information can be found on the URecFit website.

During the fall 2020 semester, the Writing Center will continue to operate virtually. To continue serving the UMB community, we offer online and eTutoring appointments in addition to online resources; please visit our website to find out more about these two types of appointments and the resources available to assist you.

In conjunction with the university COVID-19 plan, Culinart will be closed until further notice. We will continue to provide updates during this evolving situation. 

For more information, visit the CulinArt webpage.

The Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HS/HSL) is complying with the University’s guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, "COVID-19". Beginning March 14th, the Library building is closed. However, online services are available.

View their COVID-19 webpage for updates about access to the Library building, online services, and information to support remote access to library resources.

In conjunction with the university COVID-19 plan, Seven Scholars Book Store will be closed until further notice. We will continue to provide updates during this evolving situation. 

For more information visit their website.

Resources compiled by the University System of Maryland, Center for Academic Innovation.

• FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots.
• Altice USA is offering Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to any new customer household within their  footprint.
• AT&T is offering open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families
• Comcast is offering free WiFi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time
• Charter Communications is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps.
• Sprint following FCC agreement, providing unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
• T-Mobile following FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
• Verizon no special offers, but following the FCC agreement

Hotspots & Privacy: While some internet service providers have enabled free public hotspots, they are less secure than private networks, such as the internet in your home. Information sent while using a public hotspot is more vulnerable to hackers, since you don’t know who else is connected. The Center for Information Technology Services (CITS) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore advises that no University data be sent over a public network. If a public hotspot must be used, utilize a VPN, either a personal VPN or the campus virtual private network (VPN) should be enabled.

See below for more IT Security best practices.

• Make sure that your computer has up-to-date OS patches and all major third party software (Microsoft, Adobe, Firefox etc.).
• Make sure you are running an antivirus software and your definitions are set to update automatically.
• When connected to a campus system remotely, do not leave your computer unattended or log out when not active, make sure it requires a secure password to restart.
• Be especially vigilant for phishing emails during this time, cyber attackers take advantage of this and attempt to scam you or launch phishing attacks that attempt to get you to click on malicious links or open infected email attachments.Never click on hyperlinks in emails unless you know the source or are expecting information from someone.
• Never share personal information. UMB will never ask for your username and password.
• Do not download or save sensitive university data on your home computer, save all work to OneDrive or SharePoint.
• Utilize web based applications when possible, if using the campus VPN, please log out when finished working, this will free up resources for others who require VPN connectivity.
• Do not use public WiFi for conducting sensitive university business unless you have the campus VPN enabled.

For public alerts concerning COVID-19 and technology, and more best practices, including recommendations about tele-work and tele-education, visit the Resourceand FAQ sections of the UMB Novel Coronavrius (COVID-19) website https://www.umaryland.edu/coronavirus/ and the CITS website https://www.umaryland.edu/cits/.