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• COVID - 19 Response
  • Our campus vaccination rate continues to rise past 99 percent. See more information on our Public Health Dashboard.

  • It’s not too early to plan for the upcoming holiday season. Keep your loved ones safe from COVID-19, especially those who are older and/or immunocompromised. Check out the CDC’s guidance for holidays.

  • Nov 4th Flu Shot Clinic - Slots filled quickly. Demand is high. UHS has reached out to Safeway to see if another clinic will be offered. Will update the group accordingly. 

• Residential Life Updates
  • Important Dates
    • November 24, 2021 at 8 PM | Eight-month communities close for Thanksgiving Break
    • November 28, 2021 at Noon | Eight-month communities reopen
    • November 30, 2021 | End of Semester Room Change Application Deadline. Students will need to contact their Community Director in advance of this deadline to be considered for a room change.
    • November 30, 2021 | Deadline to request Housing License Release Petition Form
    • Thanksgiving Dining Options for Nine-Month (Continuous) Residents - There will be no dining services available during the Thanksgiving break. If your student will need food and/or access to food during the break please encourage them to consider alternative food arrangements (ex. Retriever Essentials) or contact Dining Services prior to hall closing for potential pre-order meal options.

• Winter Commencement Announcement
  • We are pleased to share that we will be able to offer limited in-person Winter 2021 commencement ceremonies in December.
  • Winter 2021 Commencement will include three ceremonies:
    • Tuesday, December 21, 10 a.m.: Graduate Commencement;
    • Wednesday, December 22, 10 a.m.: College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; School of Social Work; and Erickson School of Aging Studies Commencement; and
    • Wednesday, December 22, 3 p.m.: College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, College of Engineering and Information Technology, and Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs Commencement.
    • At this time, we intend to accommodate two guests per graduate.
    • All graduates will be required to register for commencement no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2021.
    • No word yet on plans for a ceremony for past graduates. As soon as information is available I will share. 

• Key Academic Deadlines
  • Tuesday - November 2nd - Advance Registration Begins for Undergraduate Students
  • Wednesday - November 10th - Last day to Withdraw from Individual Courses. Reminder after this date only option remaining will be to withdraw from the term. 
  • Monday - November 22nd - General Registration Begins for All Continuing and Returning Students

• UMBC Family Connection Portal - Post Spotlight
  • Mid-Semester Check-In - View post
  • Great time to check in with your student to see how the semester is going. 

• Fall 2021 Events & Planning
  • Virtual Social - December 16th @ 7 PM  - Please hold this date on your calendars
    • Fritzie will reach out to Ron H. regarding utilizing FB group live. Will discuss promotion at our next meeting. 
    • Joyce shared an event idea of offering a potential virtual Jazz Concert. Group thought this would be a great event for families. She will look into it and get back to the group. 
  • Coffee Break during Res Hall Thanksgiving Closing - November 24th
    • The Wed prior to thanksgiving set up a table with free coffee for families picking up their students. 
    • Partner with Oca Mocha for refreshments- Fritzie will reach out to the Oca Mocha team
    • If Oca Mocha is not an option we can partner with Chartwells. Angela also shared we could reach out to local businesses if need be. 
    • Potentially have a table in front of the new Center for Health and Wellbeing. Also, provide info about the new center. Fritzie will investigate to see if that is possible. 

• Family Basketball Night 
  • Athletics is onboard and excited to partner with us. They will offer a reserved section for families. Offer discounted ticket prices and we will look to do free popcorn. 
  • Proposed Dates:
    • Women's Game - January 29th @ 5:30 PM 
      • Also an Alumni Game 
      • Is the day before the halls open. Some expressed concern that this may impact attendance. As some families may not want to come to campus twice. However, local families may be on board to attend. 
      • Group decided to proceed with this date. 
    • Men's Game - Feb 5th @ 5:30 PM
      • Also Alumni Game & Hall of Fame Induction
      • Group decided to proceed with this date.

• Podcast for Families - Please check out the Podcast example here
  • Record 3-4 conversations and post online for new families.
  • Please send Fritzie your ideas for potential topics by November 12, 2021. We will review your suggestions and select topics at our next meeting. 
  • Volunteers - Fritzie will send out a sign-up for those who would be interested in participating in the podcast discussions. 

• Discussion:
  • Any new business, concerns, and/or feedback from the Family group?
    • N/A

Next Meeting - November 16th @ 7:30 PM