UMBC Student Affairs 'Call Me Maybe' Cover

The scene: Last day of final exams. A meet-and-greet opportunity for some student leaders and staff members from UMBC's Division of Student Affairs. There was supposed to be a dessert tray, but it arrived a little late. Meanwhile, somebody had a camera . . .

Hats off to Student Life staff members Sara Leidner and Lindsey Mitchell for the idea, and to SEB's Jason Palumbo and Evan Ponter for their creativity and video skills.

As for me, despite this promising debut, I'm going to hold onto my day job . . .

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Real People Profiles: Simmi Singh

I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Simmi Singh

Hometown: North Potomac, MD

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: 4 great years

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: I'm a full time, undergraduate, Biology major. I have been affiliated with the Student Government Association, the Meyerhoff Program, the International Field Research Experience to Switzerland, and Health Leads during my time at UMBC. 

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: I’m a thoughtful and proactive contributor to our campus community’s wellbeing.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: Being an engaged student at UMBC is an invaluable opportunity to learn and grow from a diverse number of experiences.  Getting out of my comfort zone, pushing myself to strive for my best, and relaxing to the max had tremendous consequences (good ones!) on my health and happiness that are truly irreplaceable.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A:  Being the best student I can be requires a balance between healthy habits, hard work, optimism and passionate persistence.  I realized college can be as stressful as you make it- so I try to avoid getting too overwhelmed. This balance also included making an effort to seek great opportunities (on and off campus) that were an extension of what I care about.  

In such a flexible time in my personal growth, the most precious insight I gained (especially when times get rough as a student) was this: learning is a mixture of success, failure, determination and persistence.  Appreciate the philosophy that one's talents and skills set the floor, and one's attitude and character set the ceiling. Reflecting on various academic, extracurricular, and personal experiences from these past four years keeps me grounded as I prepare for post-UMBC life!

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: TED talks, Charm City Community Hot Yoga, Tutti Fruitti, lots of Bollywood, and all sorts’ of research!

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A: The RLC was created because everyday UMBC students thought it would be cool to have a 24-7 study place.  They told the Director of the Library and lobbied a few administrative people and add a couple of years and now we have the campus’s hub for collaborative, free, and creative community learning…(or all nighters with anyone from a close friend to a stranger).  The students thought, saw, and executed the RLC project with significant investments in time, and the fruition of their project blew them away.  Besides this story, a little known fact that I’d like to share with anyone in the UMBC community is that if you think it, it can happen.  Take advantage of this fun fact and be empowered to see your own visions for your own community, UMBC, Baltimore, and beyond, through.   

Last thing I'd like to share: here are a couple of my favorite TED talks…maybe you’ll enjoy!
1. The Happy Secret to Better Work http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html 
2. Battling Bad Science http://www.ted.com/talks/ben_goldacre_battling_bad_science.html

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Scenes from the SGA Inauguration

The officers elected in last month's record-breaking SGA election were sworn in today in a public ceremony on the Quad.

2011-2012 SGA President Catie Collins kicked off the event

2012-2013 SGA Senators Jasmine Wands, Fabian Omenankiti,
Angela Mensah, Morgan Russo, Max Barnhart, Tyler McCafferty,
Rebbeca Behnke, Amaedi Etukudo, Hannah Khan, Valerie Parks
and Ganesh Mysore take the oath of office.

SGA Supreme Court Chief  Judge Advocate Taylor Good swears in
2012-2013 Finance Board members Mani Gupta and Damani Lewis

2012-2013 SGA Executive Vice President Kian Larijani

2011-2012 SGA Finance Board Chair Michelle Kuah takes the oath for
her new position as 2012-2013 Vice President for Student Organizations

2012-2013 SGA Treasurer Chisom Ebinama after taking his oath

2012-2013 SGA President Kaylesh Ramu addresses the assembled

After the oaths and the President's speech: lunch time

2012-2013 SGA President Kaylesh Ramu

2011-2012 SGA Senate Speaker Hamza Siddiqui and Senator Kaitlyn Snyder

UMBC staff member Collier Jones, architect of MyUMBC,
an important behind-the-scenes supporter of campus life

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Student Position on Md. Higher Ed Commission

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is the state's coordinating and planning board for higher education. 12 gubernatorial appointees, including one university student, participate in approving new academic programs, establishing budget guidelines, administering state financial aid programs and much more. A year ago, the high-profile Student Commissioner position was held by a UMBC graduate student, Alexia Van Orden. A few years before that, the position was held by UMBC undergraduate Josh Michael.  Could you be next? Send me an email at dhoffman@umbc.edu and I'll forward you background information and the application form. The application is due May 14th. Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.

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Represent Undergrads on Student Activities Fee Board

The Student Activities Fee is the smallest of the six mandatory fees paid each semester by every UMBC undergraduate, but it goes a long way. The Student Activities Fee pays for the programs created by the Student Events Board, all student organization events funded through the SGA Finance Board, The Retriever Weekly, SGA's programs and operations, and two full-time staff members.  It also helps pay for the STRiVE leadership retreat, Welcome Week, Celebrate Black & Gold and other UMBC programs for students.

SGA, SEB and The Retriever Weekly develop plans for putting the fee to use each year, and those plans must be approved by the Student Activities Fee Review Board, a group composed of student, faculty and staff representatives chaired by UMBC's Vice President for Student Affairs.  Three student positions (two members and one alternate) are available for 2012-2013.  See below for an invitation and additional details from Joe Regier, Executive Direct of The Commons, and consider applying.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES FEES REVIEW BOARD

The Student Activities Fees Review Board (SAFRB) is seeking an applicant to serve on the board whose active participation is anticipated for a two-year term. In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 110.0 V-100-Policy on Student Affairs, the SAFRB is established to review the allocation of the Student Activities Fee as proposed by the Student Government Association and various other student fee funded organizations. The SAFRB is further charged with determining formats, guidelines, criteria, and procedures for the submission of budget proposals and allocation of the Student Activities Fee at UMBC.

The Board shall have the authority to recommend the proposed budget to the President for approval, or to remand the proposed budgets back to the SGA and organizations for reconsideration.

The SAFRB typically meets five (5) times during the spring semester during free hour and as necessary during the fall semester to address special budgetary considerations. The first scheduled meeting for the coming year is February 8, 2013, (12:00 noon-1:00 pm). SAFRB meetings are scheduled thereafter concluding in late April or early May. The appointed applicant must be available for the important budget process orientation at the first meeting of the spring semester.

If you are interested in applying, please compose a paragraph highlighting your college/campus affiliations, extracurricular activities, and interest in serving. This can be forwarded to my e-mail address, regier@umbc.edu, or you may drop the information by my office in Suite 335 of The Commons. Please be sure to include current contact information in your paragraph of application.

After a review of applicants’ materials, a committee will forward the nominee’s name to the Vice-President for Student Affairs (SAFRB Chairperson) for consideration. The successful nominee will be informed by e-mail.

As mentioned previously, the work of the board will focus on budget review and the student government process.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Joe Regier

Executive Director - The Commons

SAFRB Convener

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Real People Profiles: Ihuoma Njoku

I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Ihuoma Njoku

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: This is my fourth semester at UMBC!

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: I am currently the Public Relations Chair of our campus' chapter of Oxfam (Oxfam Club UMBC). I am also an active member in the Pre-Medical Society's Events Committee and the SGA Department of Health and Wellness.

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus? 

A: Stimulate people to be engaged in what is going on around them.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: I really enjoy planning events and participating in discussions that allow people to show off their interests outside of class or to think about long-term issues. Most times, we are so focused on our schedules that we forget that there is life outside of our dorm rooms, or even outside of the UMBC loop. So when I can involve people in looking beyond UMBC or be involved with people who want to see changes, I am excited and I enjoy those experiences. 

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A:  The most important thing I have learned is that there are opportunities to do anything on campus; you can make your own organization, you can volunteer, you can do research and you can do whatever else to surround yourself with people very similar to you or with people very different from you. It is most important to expand your horizons so that you know your likes and dislikes, and what for you or what doesn't.

It is also important to make the best of the college years. I've been here for two years and I'm surprised at how fast time has gone by. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved on campus and meet new people, but until you seek them out, you aren't likely to find them. (Participating in STRiVE, ASB and joining student organizations are great ways to do this!)

Q: Complete this sentence: "I am a big fan of __________"

A: Interesting Facts! My goal is to be able to hold a meaningful conversation with anyone about anything or to know enough to be on Jeopardy!

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A: The Fireside Lounge is also a really nice place to relax in the Commons. There some great views of Baltimore from the sixth floor in the library. And then there's an amphitheater behind the Fine Arts building!

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Appreciate Volunteers, Celebrate Black & Gold

Two events this week will celebrate the remarkable contributions students have made this year within the UMBC community and in off-campus communities.  Both events are open to all (and, if you need any additional motivation to attend, both involve free food--and hey, I'll be there too!).

First up is the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon (Wednesday 5/2, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., UC 310).  The luncheon will be a chance to reflect on community service experiences, meet community partners and hear inspiring service stories.  More information here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/serve/events/11642.

Then on Thursday evening (5/3, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., UC Ballroom), join the Office of Student Life and SGA for Celebrate Black & Gold, an event featuring awards, performances, and shout-outs for student organizations and leaders. It's been an amazing year; let's take a fun look back together.

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