Benefits Open Enrollment Period – Spring 2013

FROM:  Rochelle Sanders, Director, HR Benefits/Compensation

The benefits open enrollment period will be from April 16 to April 30, 2013. During the open enrollment period eligible faculty and staff can change existing benefit coverage, enroll for benefit coverage, or cancel current coverage. The Human Resources (HR) Department will send campus-wide announcements as we receive further information from the State of Maryland about open enrollment. Please review the announcements carefully since there will be changes related to:

• Coverage year (from fiscal to calendar year);
• Federal health care reform;
• Life Insurance provider change;
• Same sex domestic partner updates;
• and Other related changes

Open enrollment packets were delivered to the HR Department, and departmental payroll representatives were notified that open enrollment materials are available for pick up. In the meantime, the HR Department will be sending out notices regarding open enrollment changes and planned events.

Shared Services Centers (SSC) Town Hall Meetings (4/11)

The Shared Services Centers (SSC) Task Force has been researching options and has made recommendations to the President, Provost and Vice President for Finance and Administration on the establishment of Shared Services Centers at UMBC.

You are invited to attend the Shared Services Center (SSC) Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2013.

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS)
9 to 10 a.m., University Center 312

College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) & College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT)
10 to 11 a.m., University Center 312

Graduate School (GRAD), Research Administration (VPR) & Academic Affairs Other Units (AAOU represents any departments, center and/or unit that reports to Academic Affairs that does not reside within a college.)
11 to 12 p.m., University Center 312

The Shared Services Centers Task Force Report, as well as a FAQ, will be posted on the myUMBC “Shared Services Centers at UMBC” group on April 2.

SSC Town Hall Meeting Objectives:

• To discuss findings and recommendations from the Shared Services Centers (SSC) Task Force
• To allow an open public dialogue, giving the UMBC Community an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback
•  To discuss Shared Services Centers (SSC) Next Steps

Deadline Approaching: Scholarship Opportunities for 2013-2014 Returning Students

Scholarship applications for the Newcombe Scholarship for Mature Students and the Bryson-Neville Scholarship for Returning Women are now available.

Applications are due to the Women’s Center by Friday, April 5 at 4 p.m.

Information and application for the Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarship for Mature Students – Eligible students must be at least 25 years of age, have at least 60 credits, and be seeking their first undergraduate degree.

Information and application for the Bryson Neville Scholarship – All undergraduate women over the age of 25 and with at least 60 credits may be eligible.

For additional information on eligibility, please download the applications by visiting our my.UMBC page or contact the Women’s Center at 410-455-2714 or womens.center@umbc.edu.

Spring Wellness Expo

University Health Services will be highlighting many campus departments and groups related to health and wellness. Many of our vendors will coincide with the awareness topics for the month of April: stress, alcohol and sexual assault.

• FREE massage and acupuncture
• Information about the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• Nutritional information and a chance to talk with our campus dietitian
• Free prizes and goodies
• Plus much more!

There will be lots of giveaways and great information! For more information, please contact Mickey Arora at parora@umbc.edu or 410-455-3752.

Volunteers Needed for URCAD 2013

Faculty, staff, students and alumni volunteers are needed to assist with Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) 2013 on Wednesday, April 24, 2013.

Information regarding roles and an online sign-up are available at: http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad_ed/research/urcad/volunteer.html

Practices for Cultivating Healthy Relationships

April’s new relationship practice is “Relationship wisdom from flash mobs.”

Wax Figure of Freeman Hrabowski to Be Unveiled

On Saturday, April 20, the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum will unveil a wax figure of Freeman Hrabowski during a ceremony at Morgan State University.  The figure is part of a salute to educators, and Hrabowski’s likeness will be joined by figures of Mary Jane McLeod Bethune, the founder of Bethune-Cookman University and the National Council of Negro Women; Benjamin Mays, the former president of Morehouse College; and Benjamin Quarles, the former chair of the history department at Morgan State University.

For more information about the event, including information on ordering tickets click here.

UMBC Is Closed Monday, 3/25

UMBC is closed and all classes are cancelled Monday, March 25, due to inclement weather. You can read more about UMBC’s inclement weather closing procedure here.

Any weather-related updates to the campus will be made through the UMBC homepage, Insights and myUMBC. We will also send any updates through text alerts, and you are encouraged to sign up for our E2Campus text alert service by going my.umbc.edu/go/alerts.

Laura Hussey, Political Science, in the Gazette

The Gazette reports that following Congressional reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Frederick’s Heartly House will be able to continue providing counseling services for victims of domestic abuse without worrying about major program cuts. Heartly House receives about $30,000 in federal funding under the law each year. House Republicans had resisted reauthorizing the legislation because it expands coverage to new groups.

UMBC assistant professor of political science Laura Hussey told the Gazette that blocking VAWA put House Republicans in a tough position. Although some stated that they opposed VAWA because they want to curb federal spending and involvement in state issues, Hussey notes that their position played into the Democratic message that Republicans are waging a “war Against women.” Read the full article online.

UMBC Is Closed Wednesday (3/6)

UMBC is closed and all classes are cancelled Wednesday, March 6, due to inclement weather. You can read more about UMBC’s inclement weather closing procedure here.

Any weather-related updates to the campus will be made through the UMBC homepage, Insights and myUMBC. We will also send any updates through text alerts, and you are encouraged to sign up for our E2Campus text alert service by going my.umbc.edu/go/alerts.