Welcome/Orientation Programs
The Faculty Development Center (FDC) hosts a welcome program for new full-time/regular faculty each August and an asynchronous orientation and synchronous welcome program for new part-time/adjunct faculty each semester (January and August). The departments/centers/offices below offer resources that may be of help as you transition to teaching at UMBC. Under Resources for Faculty below, you will find links to their websites where you can obtain additional information. If you have any questions about the programs or resources or suggestions to improve this webpage, please don’t hesitate to email us at fdc@umbc.edu. Welcome to UMBC!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I access my UMBC email and Blackboard course shell?
myUMBC is the University’s centralized site for access to resources such as your UMBC email, calendar, Blackboard course shell, Google Drive, and groups. Once you are in the UMBC system, you will need to setup your myUMBC account using these instructions. You will need your campus ID, which you can request from your department administrator.
Q: Where can I obtain more information on using Blackboard and other technology?
A: For more information on getting started with Blackboard and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the Blackboard section of our technology page. For more information on classroom technology, student administration, bubble sheets, clickers, and technology training and support, please visit our technology page.
Q: How do I obtain my campus ID card?
A: Your campus card serves as your official photo ID of UMBC as well as your meal, library, gym, transit, and room access card. You can pick up your campus ID card directly from the campus card office in the University Center.
Q: How can I keep track of all of the new employee action items I need to complete?
A: CNMS has a printable and web-based Faculty Onboarding Checklist. Many of the items are applicable to faculty in all departments and some are applicable to adjunct faculty as well. The Prospective Faculty webpage has detailed information about working, living, and flourishing at UMBC.
Q: Where can I locate software available for download?
A: You can find software available for faculty to download on this page.
Q: What is the difference between support from DoIT/Instructional Technology and the FDC?
A: DoIT focuses on supporting the technology tools for teaching and provides training for tools (e.g. Blackboard, Panopto) and hybrid/online course design. The FDC is UMBC’s teaching center which focuses on teaching and learning across face-to-face or online courses, pedagogical research, and assessment of learning outcomes. DoIT and the FDC collaborate, but are separate units with separate reporting structures. FDC programs are often discussion-based and focus on building community around teaching, and the FDC also offers confidential consultations and certificate programs.
Q: When and how often are faculty paid?
A: All UMBC faculty are paid bi-weekly (every other Friday). Your initial paper check will be distributed to you via your department and then direct deposit will commence. HR suggests keeping your paper paycheck stub to create an account on the Payroll Online Service Center. Visit the HR Paycheck & Direct Deposit Website for more details.
Q: When will I learn about benefits?
A: New full-time faculty will be invited to a New Employee Orientation from HR, are required to select a retirement plan before they can be on payroll, and can review a summary of benefits. New part-time faculty working less than 30 hours per week can enroll for unsubsidized coverage within 60 days of hire. If you have questions about HR orientation or benefits, please contact hrbenefits@umbc.edu.
Resources for Faculty
Academic Resources
Faculty Development Center – Supports faculty in their teaching role through programming, consultations, services, and resources emphasizing faculty development, pedagogical innovation and research, and assessment. See the resources on creating a syllabus.
Instructional Technology – Supports faculty in their use of technology tools (including Blackboard) in the classroom or online through training programs and consultations.
Academic Integrity – Contains UMBC’s Statement of Values for Academic Integrity and resources
Student Course Evaluations – Presentation from IRADS
Faculty Annual Report – Presentation from IRADS
Library – Provides course reserves, class instruction, research support, interlibrary loan and consortial borrowing, databases and ejournals, and faculty study rooms. See faculty services page for information.
Research – Supports faculty in their pursuit of research, scholarship, and creative achievement across all levels
Faculty Senate (Full-Time/Regular Faculty) – Shared governance representatives for regular faculty
Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee – Shared governance representatives for adjunct faculty
Academic Engagement and Transition Programs – Coordinates initiatives to support students toward successful completion and offers opportunities to teach seminar courses.
Shriver Center – Provides faculty support and collaboration for implementing community engagement into course design, grant proposals, and scholarship.
Resources for Assisting Students
Academic Success Center – Provides undergraduate academic support programs: Academic Advocacy, Academic Policy, and Academic Learning Resources including subject tutoring, Writing Center, SI PASS review sessions, online learning videos, individualized academic support and academic alerts.
Student Disability Services – Ensures that UMBC students with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity through accommodations and reasonable modifications. See their faculty resources page for information, including details about accommodated testing.
Student Conduct and Community Standards – Publishes and enforces standards of student behavior, facilitates community development, and works to maintain a safe and productive environment. They offer a Disruptive Student Behavior Guide and Restorative Practices consultation.
Behavioral Risk Assessment and Consultation Team – See their downloadable guide for helping students in distress
Retriever Integrated Health – Provides outpatient primary care clinical services, counseling, and outreach. See their Faculty/Staff guide for information about how to recognize and support a student in distress.
Individualized Study – Allows students to assemble a custom degree proposal
English Language Institute – Resources for learning and teaching English
Transfer Student Resources – Resources for all transfer students to encourage success
Veteran’s Services – For resources for veterans and information about Green Zone training, email Meredith Oyen
Campus Resources
Parking – Issues permits, manages parking and enforces parking rules and regulations. Parking information for adjunct faculty can be found in this Spring 2024 flyer.
Human Resources – Provides services and information on payroll, benefits, training and development, and wellness
Office of Equity and Civil Rights – Promotes and coordinates inclusive excellence and equity, and manages Title IX efforts as well as other civil rights issues, including discrimination, harassment, hate, and bias. Responsible for ensuring UMBC’s compliance with state and federal training requirements by assigning training.
Campus Map – Resources including parking, accessibility, all-gender restroom and smoking area maps
UMBC News – Articles on new research grants and programs, publications and performances, campus-wide events, and faculty in the media. Sign up for the weekly UMBC News email to get updates via email.
UMBC Police – Provides police service to respond to criminal offenses, service requests, complaints, and other safety issues on campus.
Bookstore – Provides course materials, including the course materials initiative, and UMBC merchandise
Women’s Center – Advances gender equity through programming, support services, and advocacy
Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging (i3b) – Creates opportunities to build awareness and knowledge of diverse people, cultures and belief systems.
Accessibility and Disability Services – Handles work-related disability-based accommodations for faculty, staff, and student workers
Retriever Essentials – A faculty, staff, and student partnership to tackle food insecurity in our university community with resources including a food pantry and meal swipe donation program.
Chartwells Dining – Information about dining on campus and faculty/staff meal plans.
UMBC Brand and Style Guide – Guidelines for proper use of elements of the UMBC identity
Portraits – Provides consistent, professional-quality headshots for UMBC faculty and staff
Athletics – Sports schedules, team, and ticket information. Faculty/Staff receive a discount on individual game and basketball season tickets.
Recreation – Fitness/Wellness, intramurals, group fitness/yoga classes, weight training and more
Scientific Glass Shop – Scientific glassware and general glassblowing services