The UMBC Parent Connection                                                                                    
A service of the Division of Student Affairs                                                                                                   2004-05, No. 5

Parent Programs & Services Office                                                                              November 8, 2004

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F E A T U R E   S T O R Y

 

 

UMBC's ACTiVATE program introduces highly-driven, mid-career women to the basics of entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. Trainees will work with technology innovations from universities in the region and turn them into technology-based, start-up companies.

The ACTiVATE program is made possible by the National Science Foundation
  • Learn from real-world entrepreneurs
  • Form companies based on innovative technologies developed  by universities in the region
  • Complete an opportunity analysis for your business
  • Develop a business plan for the best opportunities
  • Pursue funding for your business plan
     
    		•

     

    The complete ACTiVATE site can be found at:  http://www.umbc.edu/activate/

     

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    P A R E N T   I N V O L V E M E N T

     

    This past summer, parents began asking how they could become involved in augmenting the campus life experience for students at UMBC. In response, we researched and developed a list of activities and programs to benefit, potentially, parents as well as students.

    • Parent Advisory Group.  Such a group of concerned parents could provide occasional advice to UMBC on issues that might effect student life on campus. Discussions could be on campus or via teleconference, chatroom, or similar media.

    • Regional Committees.  Parents from regions that generate a significant number of potential or matriculating students might participate in or otherwise support recruitment activities. Likewise, they might produce "send-off" events for students leaving such areas for the first time to attend UMBC.

    • Travel Programs.  To achieve significant group discounts and generate revenue to support student life, parents could partner with alumni, faculty and students to participate in exciting and, possibly, educational (CEUs) trips. We are currently investigating such an arrangement with a major travel provider.

    • Family Program Committees.  We welcome parent involvement in helping to plan Welcome Week, Family Weekend and similar programs.

    • Student Emergency Loan and Book Funds.  Parents are a likely source to plan activities to benefit such funds. Family oriented programs offer ideal opportunities to generate revenues to benefit students who temporarily need some support.

    • Career Programs Support.  By participating in career development programs, parent can share their wealth of knowledge to benefit directly our students' searches for meaningful professions.

    • Mentoring, Leadership and Speakers Programs.  One of the more effective ways to contribute to student growth and development is to mentor them as they make their way through their academic and personal educational experiences. Parents are an incredibly rich source of knowledge and advice. Why not take advantage of your success to help others.

    • Holiday Hosting Program.  Many native and international students find it difficult to travel home for some holidays and breaks. Expand your and their horizons by hosting them during such times. Parents could advise the program and serve as hosts.

     

    An important note: We'd like to gauge your interest in these programs and services, as well as determine whether you would like to participate in any of them for the well-being of all of our students. Naturally, when conducting such a sampling we worry about the ease of just not responding. Please, should you be interested, reconfirm our faith in humankind and send an email indicating your likes and, if possible, your preferences for involvement.

     

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    A   M E Y E R H O F F   M E S S A G E

    The Meyerhoff Family Dinner was a great success! Many thanks go to the parents who helped with various aspects of the evening and to the students who shared their research posters. The next Meyerhoff event will be Pre-Stress Exam Relief. Please contact Edie Windsor (eaw0508@comcast.net) if you'd like to work on this committee.

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    W H A T ' S   N E W ,   R E D U X

    Speaking of Care Packages...Gift Possibilities

    There are several ways to arrange gifts for your child while he or she is at UMBC. The Resident Student Association (RSA), through the On Campus Marketing company, provides Welcome (Week) Kit Care Packages, Halloween Care Packages and Finals Kit Care Packages. Unfortunately, only the finals kit is still available for this and next semester. Contact On Campus Marketing directly at 1-800-892-8741. You will need the residence hall name and room number when ordering.

     

    Sodexho, the campus food service, makes available cakes (call catering at 410-455-1207) and gift certificates for Jazzman's and the Skylight Room. To make ordering the latter a little easier if you're not close by, Parent Programs & Services would be happy to procure the certificates for you. Then, we could either put them in a greeting card or mail them back to you so that you can personally send them.

     

    The UMBC Bookstore is always willing to work with parents who desire to give a student some item(s) from the store. Call or write Gail Dupree (410-455-2665, dupree@umbc.edu.) If you prefer, Parent Programs & Services can help with these purchases, as well.

     

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    A     N N O U N C E M E N T S

    Winter Session Scholarships 
    Winter scholarships for up to three credits of in-state undergraduate tuition are now available to qualified UMBC degree-seeking students. Consideration for scholarship support is based on financial need, grade point average and proximity to graduation. A limited number of scholarships will be awarded, so download an application now at http://www.umbc.edu/winter. Submit your application to the Office of Summer and Winter Programs (U.C., Room 207) by Wednesday, December 1. Forms are also available in the Office of Summer and Winter Programs, Academic Services and the Financial Aid Office. For more information, e-mail winter@umbc.edu or call ext. 5-2335.

     

    Safety Bulletin from the Environmental Safety and Health Department
    An emergency response system has been installed on UMBC’s main campus and south campus. The system may be activated in the event of emergencies such as tornados, flash flooding, chemical spills, severe lightning, and other life-threatening situations. Components to this system include:
     
     National Weather Service 
    Weather data stations located in the Environmental Safety and Health Department and Police Department are now providing current weather information, severe weather updates and related information.
     
     Emergency Radio Station
    An AM emergency broadcasting network has been put in place at 1620-AM. This station can broadcast for 3-5 miles.
     
     Siren/Public Ad    dress System
    Emergency sirens and public ad    dress systems have been installed. Following a siren, a brief announcement will provide details and recommend appropriate responses. The campus will be advised in advance of alarm system tests.

     

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    S A V E    T H E   D A T E

     

    "Reading Lolita in Tehran": Lecture by Bestselling Author Azar Nafisi (11/9)
    Azar Nafisi, visiting fellow and professorial lecturer at the Foreign Policy Institute of the     Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, will discuss her bestselling book, Reading Lolita in Tehran, 7 p.m., U.C. Ballroom. Sponsored by the Center for the Humanities, the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, the Office of the Provost, the Department of English and the Women’s Studies Program. Read more about Nafisi at http://www.umbc.edu/newsevents/insights/article.html?issue_id=42&news_id=1128

     

    “The Failures of Integration: How Race and Class are Undermining the American Dream” (11/10)
    The Department of Africana Studies presents the 26th Annual W.E.B. DuBois Distinguished Lecture. Sheryll Cashin, professor of law at the Georgetown     University Law School, will discuss her new book The Failures of Integration: How Race and Class are Undermining the American Dream. Cashin teaches and writes about politics, government and the urban poor. 7 p.m., U.C. Ballroom. The event also includes a performance by UMBC’s Gospel Choir, directed by Janice Jackson. For more information, contact Thomas N. Robinson, Jr., department chair, at ext. 5-2158 or trobinso@umbc.edu

     

    “Escaping Poverty” (11/12)
    The next Public Policy Forum looks at “Escaping Poverty.” Learn about research on the effects of family and neighborhood conditions on adult success, and about policies that can “level the playing field” and help poor children escape from poverty. Speakers: Marvin Mandell, UMBC; J. Lawrence Aber, New York University; Mark Greenberg, Center for Law and Social Policy; and Joe Jones, Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce Development. 8-10 a.m., World Trade Center, 21st Floor, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore. Sponsored by the Department of Public Policy. All events are open to the public, and include a light breakfast. Advance registration is required. For more information, call ext. 5-8193, or visit http://www.umbc.edu/pubpol/forums

     

    Senior Dance Concert (11/12-13)
    The Department of Dance presents the Senior Dance Concert. 8 p.m. both evenings, Fine Arts Studio 317. $10 general admission, $5 students and seniors. For information and reservations, call the Dance Box Office at ext. 5-6240.

    "Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver" (11/16)
    The Social Sciences Forum presents Scott Stossel, senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly, who will discuss “Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver.” Stossel will discuss his much-anticipated biography of Sargent Shriver, the founder and first director of the Peace Corps. (UMBC’s     Shriver Center is named in honor of Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver.) 5:30 p.m., Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery. Refreshments and booksigning follow the lecture. For more information, visit http://www.umbc.edu/socsforum or call ext. 5-2916.

    Saxophonists Susan Fancher and Mark Engebretson in Concert (11/18)
    The Department of Music’s Contemporary Concert Series presents saxophonists Susan Fancher and Mark Engebretson. The program includes works by UMBC’s Stuart Saunders Smith, as well as Steve Reich, Ben Johnston, Mark Engebretson, Luciano Berionza. 8 p.m., Fine Arts Recital
    Hall. For more information, call ext. 5-MUSC.

    HOME House Project Film Series (11/18)
    The Center for Art and Visual Culture and The Commons present two films that examine issues related to environmental hazards related to in door pollution and the evolution of environmentally aware design. Up Close and Toxic discloses the many surprising and not so surprising ways that we are exposed to pollution — hazardous gasses, particulate matter and various chemicals in the very places we feel safest. Ecological Design: Inventing the Future outlines the evolution from a mechanistic model of building and system design to one rooted in natural systems. 6 p.m., The Commons Cabaret. For more information, call ext. 5-1440.

    "Future Developments in Networks for Homeland Security" (12/2)
    The UMBC Visionaries in Information Technology Forum presents Robert Brammer, sector vice president and chief technology officer, Northrop Grumman. Brammer is responsible for technology strategy and investment decisions at Northrop Grumman, as well as for engineering processes and quality management. His recent research has focused on applications of high-performance computing technology to scalable analysis and visualization of massive, integrated security databases and on-risk management techniques for distributed critical infrastructure, notably broadband computer communications networks and the U.S. power grid. 7:30-9:30 a.m., BWI Airport Marriott Hotel, 1743 West Nursery Road.
    For more information and registration: http://www.umbc.edu/visionaries.

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    I N   T H E   N E W S   A T   U M B C

    http://www.umbc.edu/newsevents/insights/article.html?issue_id=42&news_id=1132
     
    1. Christopher Corbett, English, in Baltimore Style Magazine and the Baltimore Sun
    2. Alumnus Douglas Gearhart in Philosophy Now Magazine
    3. Senior Kevin Hurley in the Gloucester County Times
    4. Roy Meyers, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun
    5. Music Department in the Baltimore Sun
    6. Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the News
    7. Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in the News
    8. Students’ Election Night Extravaganza in the Baltimore Sun
    9. Timmie Topoleski, Mechanical Engineering, in Chemical & Engineering News

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    UMBC Calendar of Events 
    http://www.umbc.edu/calendar

    Art Events at UMBC
    http://www.umbc.edu/arts

    Athletic Events at UMBC
    http://www.umbcretrievers.com/info/schedule/

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    H E L P F U L   W E B S I T E S   F O R   P A R E N T S

    Admissions
    http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/

    Financial Aid
    http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/finaid.html

    Scholarships
    http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/scholarships.html

    Center for Women and Information Technology (CWIT) Scholars Program
    http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/s_cwit.html

    Humanities Scholars Program
    http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/s_hum.html

    Linehan Artist Scholars Program
    http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/s_lin.html

    Meyerhoff Scholars Program (Science and Engineering)
    http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/s_mey.html

    Public Affairs Scholars Program
    http://www.umbc.edu/undergrad/s_pubaff.html

    The Honors College
    http://www.umbc.edu/honors

    Parents Association
    http://www.umbc.edu/parents

    Student Affairs
    http://www.umbc.edu/saf

    Career Development Center
    http://careers.umbc.edu/saf

    The Student Link
    http://www.umbc.edu/StudentLink/

    The Retriever Weekly (student newspaper)
    http://trw.umbc.edu/

    Official UMBC Publications
    http://www.umbc.edu/newsevents/pub.html

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    All comments and suggestions are welcome. Please write to  parents@umbc.edu or call 1-866-VIP-UMBC.