Incorporating Urban Modeling into Environmental Planning: Examples from the Local to Regional Scales in the Mid-Atlantic Region (9/23)

Join Claire Jantz, assistant professor of geography and earth science at Shippensburg University, as she discusses, “Incorporating Urban Modeling into Environmental Planning: Examples from the Local to Regional Scales in the Mid-Atlantic Region.” This lecture will be Wednesday, September 23, noon, Sondheim Hall, Room 001.

This is part of the Geography and Environmental Systems Seminar. For more information contact Erle Ellis at ext. 5-3078 or by e-mail.

ACTiVATE in Biotech Transfer Week

Texas State University at San Marcos is adopting UMBC’s ACTiVATE program for women-led startup companies. The program will recruit women with technology-development or business experience and provide them with entrepreneurial training and support over the course of a year and will cull available technologies from universities throughout Texas under a grant from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund.

The article, “Texas State U-San Marcos Adopts UMBC’s Activate Program for Women-Led Startup Companies,” ran in Biotech Transfer Week on September 2.

Life Along the River Valley (9/23)

A recent publication by Allison Kahn and Peggy Fox profiles the lives of Patapsco River Valley residents through a series of oral history narratives and photographic images. Kahn and Fox, authors of “Patapsco: Life Along Maryland’s Historic River Valley,” will discuss the details of their book at an event titled “People of the Patapsco: Oral History and Photography” on Wednesday, September 23, 4 p.m., at the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery. The authors will read excerpts from some of the oral history accounts, share examples of the photographic images and discuss the nature and significance of their project.

The book was published in 2008 by The Center for American Places. A book signing will take place after the reading where copies will be available. The program is sponsored by the Department of American Studies as part of its Baltimore Area Community Studies Project. UMBC American Studies students have worked with the authors on exhibit projects interpreting the history of the Patapsco Valley and its people.

For further information, call the department office at ext. 5-2106

Downtown Baltimore Transportation Update

This summer, budget constraints and low ridership made it necessary for UMBC and UMB to suspend Downtown Line shuttle service linking the campuses. During the months of July and August, the campus piloted an interim MTA bus pass program. The MTA Bus Route #35, which makes 40 stops daily on both campuses, was found to offer consistent and timely service and was successfully used by students taking summer courses or doing research internships. As a result of our students’ success using this alternative, the limited number of riders who utilize the service, and continuing budget concerns, UMBC and UMB will continue to rely on this method of travel for students and interns in inter-campus academic programs.

To obtain a reduced-rate student bus pass, visit Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) at The Commons, Suite 309. Students must present their university ID and current class schedule to obtain their passes. See the specific distribution dates below. For more information, contact OCSS at ext. 5-2770 or visit the OCSS Web site.

MTA Student Discount Bus Pass Program

OCSS distributes passes each month on the following dates:

September: August 26 – September 4
October: September 25 – October 6
November: October 27 – November 5
December: November 24 – December 4

MTA Bus Pass Financial Assistance Program
During the fall semester’s transition period, students who are enrolled in inter-campus programs where travel between campuses is required, and who need financial assistance to obtain an MTA bus pass for that purpose, may file an application through their academic department. The Commons Administration is responsible for the administration of the MTA Bus Pass Financial Assistance Program.

Inquiries and completed applications should be directed to Patti Schuyler at ext. 5-3455 or by e-mail. Her office is located at The Commons, Suite 335. The applicable department chair’s signature is required on the application form which is available here.

The OCSS distribution timeline applies to underwritten passes also and are obtained by the student, in person, from Schuyler during business hours on those dates at Suite 335 of The Commons upon submission of a completed and approved application form.

For more information about local MTA service and to view MTA’s Bus Route #35 schedule, click here.

Winter Session 2010 Course Proposals

Submit all Winter Session 2010 course proposals directly to your designated department scheduling coordinator from now until September 4.

Since UMBC has implemented PeopleSoft Student Administration, academic departments now coordinate and build their schedule of classes at the department level each academic term.

The Special Sessions Policy Committee will continue to review and approve summer and winter schedules before publication and our office will continue to manage faculty contracts and program administration.

Feel free to contact Tim Lynch or ext. 5-3039 if you have any questions or require assistance regarding winter session.

The Business Case for Smart Growth, 9/4

Lee Sobel from Smart Growth Program in Washington, DC, will discuss “The Business Case for Smart Growth” on Friday, September 4, at 2 p.m., in the Technology Research Center, Room 206. This is the first in a series of seminars presented by the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education (CUERE).

Registration is not required. Visitor passes for the lot may be purchased for $4 in the CUERE office in the TRC, Room 102/105 shortly before the seminar.

For more information, click here.

Is today a good day or what?

How amazing to see so many excited faculty, staff and students joined together for the Fall Opening Meeting at UMBC’s University Center Ballroom this morning.

As President Hrabowski said, “Is today a good day or what?”

There’s quite a bit to celebrate.

Here’s to another great academic year!

Fall Opening Meeting (8/20)

From: Freeman Hrabowski and Elliot Hirshman

Each year, at the start of the fall semester, the UMBC community comes together to welcome colleagues and students back to campus, celebrate our achievements, and launch the beginning of the academic year. Please join us at the Fall Opening Meeting Thursday, August 20, in the University Center Ballroom. A light lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m.; the program begins promptly at noon.

This year, we will also recognize faculty and staff who have made contributions to the Exceptional by Example Campaign. Two of our undergraduate and graduate students will share how your campaign contributions have helped them to be successful at UMBC. The program also will include the annual State of the University Address, focusing on our fall enrollment, the budget, campus facilities, the capital campaign, and achievements of students, faculty, and staff, as well as welcoming remarks by the Provost.

So that as many people as possible may attend, release time for staff will be granted. All campus offices will remain open, and services will continue to be offered. We ask supervisors to work with staff members to arrange for staffing coverage.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, August 20.

Special Thanks from Freeman Hrabowski and Future UMBC Alumni

In the News: Donald Norris, Public Policy

The Baltimore Sun revealed that John Paterakis, developer of the Harbor East complex, was indicted Tuesday on two counts of campaign finance violations for contributing $6,000 to help pay for a city councilwoman’s political poll. “You’ve got to be kidding,” said Donald Norris, chair and professor of the Department of Public Policy. “He is well known, he is highly regarded and for him to be charged with something like this is quite frankly shocking.”

The article, “New charges in city bribery investigation,” ran Tuesday, July 28.

In an article about Baltimore County Councilman Kenneth Oliver’s guilty plea to two misdemeanors, Norris noted the plea would spur challengers but that voters might not view the crime as too serious. “It all depends on how forgiving his constituency is,” said Norris. The article, “Councilman pleads guilty to campaign finance violations,” ran Tuesday, July 28, in the Maryland Daily Record.