Student Resources

If you’re new to college, a professor may seem like an intimidating figure. However, they really care about how you’re doing in their class and they really want to help!

If you’re having trouble with a concept or are unsure about an assignment, one of the best things to do is reach out to your professor (or a TA if your course has one) for help.

How to contact your professor outside of class:

• Email: All of your professors should have an email address listed on their syllabus. If you have a question, but you don’t want to talk face to face, you can always contact them through email. Make sure your email has a subject explaining what it is about (include the class, because professors may teach more than one), make sure the message is as detailed as possible, and make sure you sign your name at the end.

Good Example of an Email: This person states which class it is, who they are, and what they’re struggling with.

Subject: MATH 106 

Hello Professor Webb,

I’m having issues with your class, specifically logs. I don’t understand it and I’m not sure where to start. Could you help me?

Thank you!

Steve Smith

A Not So Good Example: This person did not state who they are, which class they’re in, and they weren’t specific about what they’re struggling with.

Subject: (no subject)

hi i dont get wat im supposed to do and i need help

• Office Hours: Every professor has office hours where you can reach out to them. These office hours are listed in the syllabus. If the hours say “by appointment only” don’t sweat it! You can send them an email or call them to schedule an appointment.
• Phone Call: If you’re not sure how to express the help you need in writing, you may be able to call your professor if they’ve listed a phone number on their syllabus. When calling a professor, make sure you let them know who you are and which class you are in. Keep in mind that the phone number listed will probably be for calling only, not texting and that your professor may not be available late at night, early in the morning, or on weekends. If you feel better writing it out, just send an email instead.

The Academic Success Center offers drop-in tutoring and appointment tutoring to help students succeed in their classes.

Schedule a Tutoring Appointment

Schedule a Writing Center Appointment

View the Drop-In Tutoring Center Schedule

View the Computing Success Center Schedule

Students may also use the Biology Learning Center for assistance in Biology courses, the Chemistry Tutorial Center for assistance in Chemistry courses, and the Physics Tutorial Center for assistance in Physics courses.

SI PASS sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together.

View the SI PASS Schedule

Need assistance with STEM? We recommend Khan Academy to help you practice concepts.

Our Online Learning Resources module is an interactive tool to help you learn useful notetaking skills, study skills, improve your time management, and prepare for the semester.

If you would like more personalized support, we recommend scheduling an Academic Skills Meeting.

UMBC has many offices that provide academic support and non-academic support. Please take some time to look through to find something to assist you. If you are facing many barriers and you are unsure what to do next, please reach out to your Academic Advocate.

Attending online college courses requires strong study skills and time management. Our Online Learning Resources page has videos and tip sheets to help you get the most out of online learning.

If you would like more personalized support, we recommend scheduling an Academic Skills Meeting.

Students who keep up with their course Blackboard activity are more likely to succeed, so check your courses in Blackboard often for assignments and updates. The myUMBC Check My Activity (CMA) feedback tool allows students to compare their own Blackboard activity to an anonymous summary of course peers. If instructors use the Blackboard grade book, students can also compare their own activity with peers earning the same, higher or lower grade on any assignment. Students who use the Check My Activity tool are more likely to pass their classes. More information about Check My Activity is available online.

The Academic Success Center offers UNIV 102-our support courses designed to help you succeed in college and beyond.

Student success is a priority at UMBC. While the University takes every effort to ensure that students make consistent academic progress and complete a degree(s) in a timely fashion, it is recognized that individual circumstances may change and in some cases student’s work on a degree may be interrupted.

Should you find yourself in a position in which an interruption is necessary (i.e., class absence, course/term withdrawal, or break in enrollment) you should promptly review the information provided on the Absences, Withdrawal, and Re-Enrollment site and consult with your academic advisor. Such interruptions should only be considered by a student in exceptional circumstances to avoid delays in degree completion. You must also consider such interruptions carefully, as they may have academic and/or financial implications.

Depending upon the time of the semester that the withdrawal occurs, there may or may not be a refund of tuition. Students receiving assistance (such as financial aid, scholarships, or veteran benefits) should understand the impact on the aid before withdrawing.

Withdrawing from a course or the entire term will result in grade(s) of W. Grades of W have no impact on your GPA at UMBC. However, withdrawing from a course does count as an attempt in the course repeat policy and may adversely impact a student’s ability to retake the course or remain in a major/minor/certificate program.

Withdrawing may have other ramifications. Before withdrawing, you should understand the effect that it may have on matters such as housing and meal plan contracts and obligations; athletic and international student eligibility; as well as health and auto insurance plans.

You can find Shady Grove Specific Resources through the Shady Grove Student Success Resources website.

Academic calendars provide important term dates and deadlines of which students should be aware. Current/Future term dates and deadlines for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as archived academic calendars for past terms can be found on the Registrar’s Office website.

The Office of Accessibility and Disability Services provides resources to students with disabilities, as well as those with temporarily disabling conditions and injuries, that may require accommodations in order to have equal access and full participation in all of UMBC’s programs, services and activities.

Students who wish to use accommodations must register with the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services.

The Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising coordinates advising for all UMBC undergraduate students and provides advising for undeclared majors and allied health concentrations.

Advising Resources for Undergraduate Students:

List of advisors by major

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

College of Engineering and Information Technology

College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

Erickson School of Aging Studies

School of Social Work

Pre-Med and Pre-Dental

Allied Health

Pre-Law

Undergraduate Catalog

The Undergraduate Catalog includes information about academic policies, standards and administrative requirements, rights and regulations, undergraduate baccalaureate degree requirements, academic programs and resources, admission, tuition and fees and special opportunities. Additional information regarding these and other resources may be obtained through the UMBC Policy website, and other websites including but not limited to the Registrar’s Office, Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Division of Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising.

Undergraduate Petitions

Any student is eligible to submit for an Exception to Academic Policy however, before doing so should first review your rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Whom Do I Contact?

The Registrar’s Office provides the UMBC community with high quality services related to academic programs, registration, records, and graduation.

The Registrar’s Office can help with enrollment, graduation, transfer credits, semester withdrawal, and many other things including:

An Exception to Enrollment for:

– Last day to cancel enrollment
– Last day to drop courses without a W
– Last day to drop courses with a W
– Last day for term withdrawal

You can find the Academic Calendar (important dates for the semester) and the Final Exam schedules on their website.

For information about re-enrolling at UMBC, please visit the Office of Enrollment Management.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) addresses the privacy of students by prohibiting the disclosure of many types of personally identifiable student information and other information contained in the student’s education record. Information within the student’s education record generally may not be released without the student’s written consent via a signed FERPA Form.

Student Business Services is the office that bills students, collects tuition and fees and issues student refunds. This office processes student payments, tuition remission, military waivers and post payments to student accounts from outside agencies.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships helps students with grants, loans, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid.

If you are unsure how to manage your student financial account, please refer to the Managing My Student Financial Account resource page.

UMBC makes every effort to resolve student complaints internally, using policies and procedures primarily outlined on the UMBC Policy Page, in the University Catalogs and in the Student Affairs Welcome Guide. Students are expected to familiarize themselves and fully utilize any and all administrative policies, procedures and/or resources provided by UMBC.

SI PASS sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together.

View the SI PASS Schedule

 

The Academic Success Center offers drop-in tutoring and appointment tutoring to help students succeed in their classes.

Schedule a Tutoring Appointment

Schedule a Writing Center Appointment

View the Drop-In Tutoring Center Schedule

View the Computing Success Center Schedule

Students may also use the Biology Learning Center for assistance in Biology courses, the Chemistry Tutorial Center for assistance in Chemistry courses, and the Physics Tutorial Center for assistance in Physics courses.

The Career Center aims to empower all students and graduates to create their own success stories. We work with students at every academic level, from first-year freshmen to graduate students. Our services include career advising and counseling, networking events, on-campus & virtual recruiting, interviews, career and professional skills education, and applied learning opportunities (internships, co-ops, and research).

The Counseling Center provides counseling and psychotherapy, preventive and educational programming, consultation and outreach to students. The Counseling Center aims to foster students’ psychological development and emotional well-being and to support students in attaining their academic and personal goals. Our multidisciplinary staff work with students, faculty, staff, families, and administration to support students and to create a healthy, diverse, supportive and inclusive multicultural learning community.

If you have mental health concerns outside of regular business hours and wish to speak with someone from our After-Hours Support Line, please call 410-455-3230. The support line is available to support students experiencing a mental health crisis, health issues, sexual assault or relationship violence.

The Initiatives for Identity, Inclusion & Belonging creates opportunities for students to build their awareness and knowledge of diverse people, cultures and belief systems. Through facilitated discussions, informal gatherings, educational engagements, presentations and campus-wide events, individual students, student organizations and classes learn the skills to create inclusive, just and mutually respectful communities at UMBC and beyond.

UMBC’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights is responsible for promoting and coordinating the University’s core values of inclusive excellence and equity, and has primary responsibility for managing UMBC’s efforts related to Title IX as well as other civil rights issues, including discrimination, harassment, hate and bias.

Retriever Support Services (RSS) serves as a referral source and entry point for all students, undergraduate and graduate, who experience social, basic needs, and emotional barriers to obtaining their individual and educational goals. Support Services include:

• Students experiencing basic needs – food, shelter, resources (social, emotional, and more)
• Support and guidance for veterans and military-affiliated students
• Support and guidance for adult learners
• Behavioral risk assessment and mitigation
• Off-campus housing

Residential Life provides facilities, services, and programs that support the academic mission of the institution and enhance the quality of life for students that live on campus. Residential Life staff encourages the personal, social, academic, and leadership development of resident students and prepare them to be active and responsible citizens within the UMBC community and beyond.

Retriever Essentials a comprehensive program of resources which eliminates the immediate burden of food insecurity for UMBC members and connects them to ongoing support networks in order to enhance their academic retention and career success. Retriever Essentials partners with local organizations to help refer UMBC members to access holistic support on- and off-campus to address longer-term needs.

Students who are experiencing housing challenges, child care challenges, and food insecurity can also contact 211 Maryland for assistance.

Student Conduct and Community Standards supports the University’s dedication to student success and its educational purposes and goals by publishing, enforcing, drafting and interpreting standards of student behavior and related policies and procedures; facilitates student and community development and ethical growth opportunities promoting personal integrity, civility, self-responsibility, citizenship and appreciation for diversity; works to maintain a safe and productive environment supporting the University’s educational purpose and the students’ educational goals; and promotes the privileges and responsibilities associated with a student’s affiliation with the University.

The Women’s Center at UMBC advances gender equity from an intersectional feminist perspective through co-curricular programming, support services, and advocacy for marginalized individuals and communities. We prioritize critical social justice as our community value, with a deliberate focus on women, gender, anti-racism, and feminism. All are welcome as long as they respect women. Their experiences. Their stories. Their potential.