GSA State of the Grad School
A brief overview of the going-ons within the Graduate School. In this issue: new campus lighting, how to take advantage of tuition remission, and how to get a sneak peak at the HSFIII mural.
Here’s a look at a few of the things you might not hear about otherwise:
- Improvements to campus lighting – UMB has started a systematic replacement of the light bulbs in UMB-owned street lights on campus. They are replacing the current bulbs with LED bulbs, which are brighter and have a slightly broader range. The changes will be made incrementally with the hope of making key areas, such as the walk to Lexington Market, brighter. This does not apply to city-owned lamp posts. However, Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh has vowed to make the city brighter by fixing or adding more street lights, and we hope our campus will be included in these efforts.
- How to take advantage of tuition remission – With our new ‘Partnership’ with University of Maryland, College Park officially underway, many students have asked how our tuition remission applies to UMCP classes. The good news is that graduate students at UMB are allowed to apply their tuition remission to classes at UMCP, and to other universities within the Maryland system. The key requirements are: (1) the course(s) must be graduate-level and (2) the course(s) must be approved by the student’s mentor and program. It is also important to note that registration dates differ across universities, so pay attention to when you may need to register! More information, including a detailed outline of how to sign up for non-UMB classes, will be coming soon.
- HSFIII to feature our first art mural – In an effort to promote public art, the new HSFIII building will feature an outdoor mural. Artists were selected by the campus administration, and the finalists will display their proposed designs on Monday, December 5th in the SMC Campus Center beginning at 5:00pm. Stop by to see what our future mural could look like!
- Need a new -80C freezer? – UMB is interested in promoting energy-efficient -80C freezer choices, including working out a possible trade-in program to provide incentive. If your lab is in need of a -80C freezer and would be interested in an energy-efficient model, contact cochandl@umaryland.edu.
- NOVA has officially restarted BINGO at Spring Grove Psychiatric Hospital - We have already gone twice this semester. Participants get to go into a residential psychiatric ward and run a BINGO game. We provide the residents with snacks and prizes that include books, clothing, and toiletries. Keep an eye out for emails on our next trip to Spring Grove! We’ve also been helping with local events to do science demos. To stay up to date on all of our volunteer activities join our email list at https://umbconnect.umaryland.edu/organization/nova or email Amanda at labuza@umaryland.edu