This page was updated on May 29, 2020.
University of Baltimore President Kurt L. Schmoke talks about the University's response to the current pandemic, and the ways it has shown the UBalt community to be resilient and determined to continue. "Working together, we can achieve excellence, even in difficult times," he says.
The University of Baltimore is now hosting classes in a remote (online) environment. The campus will be open only to employees classified as Essential for Pandemic Circumstances - On Campus. All campus events are canceled until further notice.
The information below is intended to keep all members of the UBalt community—students, faculty and staff—aware and up to date concerning the University's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UB is in consultation with Maryland state government and the University System of Maryland to lessen the impact of the virus. The safety and well-being of everyone at the University is our highest priority. With that in mind, we urge you to be aware of campus updates.
UB's decisions are taken in light of Gov. Hogan's executive orders, which established a number of new parameters for mitigating the outbreak, including strict limits on public gatherings. (Visit the governor's website for more developments, as well as the University System of Maryland for information concerning UBalt and other USM institutions. Also note the City of Baltimore's emergency declaration, issued on March 18. USM Chancellor Jay Perman issued a statement on April 13.
Click the following items to get the latest information about UBalt's plans for dealing with COVID-19:
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Continuity of Classes, Campus Operations, Adjustment of Student Fees
The University is moving all classes to remote sessions. All in-person (on-campus) instruction moved to a virtual environment on March 23 and will continue for the remainder of the spring semester. UB will work to ensure minimal disruption to student learning and continue operations.
In addition to using our learning management systems, Sakai or TWEN (School of Law course management tool), UBalt will conduct regular face-to-face courses during regular class meeting times through ZOOM, an online video-conferencing platform.
NOTE: Questions about ensuring your security while on Zoom? Visit this Office of Technology Services page.
Both Zoom and Sakai are fully mobile compatible and are readily accessible through a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop.
UB has set up Online Preparedness Guides and posted them to the "Keep Teaching and Learning" site in Sakai. (The School of Law has been added to Sakai for this purpose.)
Faculty can visit this page to view their guide.
Students can visit this page to view their guide.
All tutoring services of the Robert L. Bogomolny Library will continue online. These are available through the MyUB Appointment Tool and the UB OWL by signing in to MyUB. Other online services, such as electronic reserves and library databases, will be fully operational.
An announcement concerning student fee adjustments for the spring semester can be found here.
A thorough list of details about student services is available here.
If you need technology to support your online learning experience, including a loaner laptop, webcam or Internet access, University resources may be available. Please visit here for more information. As we extend the virtual instruction through the semester, the University will provide regular updates, as needed. If you have an issue related to your participation in the remote environment, let us know so that we can make your UBalt online experience a positive one.
We are providing support for students and other members of the UBalt community who require assistance, especially regarding their educational needs. Information about student assistance is available here, and information for employee assistance is here. Now more than ever, it is critically important that you continue to take the necessary safeguards to protect your health. To our students, as you continue your studies and further your education goals, know that UBalt faculty and staff are here to assist you. We ask that you check our website, our social media, and your ubalt email for important updates and resources.
UB has transitioned to a telework environment for all non-essential employees approved to work in an online environment. By March 23, we will function online exclusively, with only a handful of exceptions, e.g., building security. UB buildings are closed as of March 23, limiting campus access to personnel identified as "Essential for Pandemic Circumstances – On Campus." Visit the Office of Human Resources webpage for details. Students and employees are not to come to campus for class, study or to visit any office until further notice.
For UBalt employees working remotely, here is a webpage of how-to's, links and more.
A guide for student fee adjustments prompted by the pandemic is available here.
Updates on parking fee refunds for students, faculty and staff are available here.
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University Events and Commencement
All campus events, including sponsored on-campus and off-campus events, are cancelled through June 1, 2020 and no new events will be scheduled until further notice.
With the cancellation of all events, the University's May 2020 traditional Commencement ceremony also is postponed. The rescheduled date for commencement will be determined and announced as soon as possible. It is our full intention to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020 as only UBalt students can, when it is safe for all of us to gather together again. Although there will be a delay in the Commencement ceremony, there will not be any delays in degrees being conferred. Students who complete their degree requirements and who have been cleared for graduation will have their degrees conferred at the normal time and will be considered UBalt graduates (May 2020 for May graduates).
Per Gov. Hogan's executive order, gatherings of more than 10 are prohibited.
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University-Sponsored Travel
We have canceled all UBalt-sponsored international student travel through June 30, 2020. While the University is not issuing any specific prohibitions against domestic travel for employees, we are recommending against University-sponsored domestic travel for students. Students opting to participate in a previously approved trip will be required to sign a travel waiver; consult with your faculty adviser. Until further notice, no new student travel will be approved.
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Personal Travel Guidance
All University of Baltimore employees and students are urged not to travel to any country with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel advisory related to COVID-19. A number of travel bans and limits are in effect in the U.S. and abroad.
Any employee or student who is returning to the U.S. from one of these countries must refrain from coming to campus—and be symptom-free—for 14 days before returning to campus. Similarly, community members who have had contact with someone who has traveled recently to these countries will also be asked to delay their return to campus.
If you are returning from a country with a CDC advisory or have been in contact with someone who has traveled recently to these countries, you must contact the Office of Human Resources (employees) or Office to Student Support (students) for telephone screening and instructions. If you are planning to go to a destination that is not on the CDC travel alert list, you should still consider the potential for:
-Isolation or quarantine while you are away
-Flight cancellations and public transportation disruptions
-Screening, isolation, and/or quarantine upon return to the U.S.
-Denial of reentry to the U.S.UB advises against domestic travel, except travel related to your regular commute. Employees and students should continue to monitor and follow the guidance of public health authorities related to your destination area.
Take Precautions Against COVID-19
We are making adjustments to operations as it relates to academic and campus activities. If a confirmed case of COVID-19 virus has impacted you directly, please report to the University immediately (UB-EMT@ubalt.edu or 410.837.4444).
The CDC has posted a list of COVID-19 symptoms.
Staying healthy while balancing school, work, family and friends can be difficult, but there are steps you can take to keep yourself in good shape:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms—fever, body aches, chills, respiratory or stomach issues—stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to seek medical care. If you believe you may have contracted COVID-19 (coronavirus), call your medical provider to take appropriate precautions.
- Keep your immunizations up-to-date, including an annual flu shot.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose. Take advantage of hand sanitizer stations located around campus.
- Stay tuned for updates on public-health announcements, whether it's Covid-19, flu, or some other outbreak that requires your immediate attention.
- Get your health information from reliable sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Announcements about campus closures will be available on UBalt's homepage, via text message, and through UBalt's social media channels. Important messages about COVID-19 as it impacts higher education are available on the University System of Maryland's website. Johns Hopkins University is tracking the number of cases on a global basis.
Learn more about UB's response to emergencies of all kinds.