The following letter was sent to the UMB community on Thursday, Nov. 6, from UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell:
Early last month, we issued a Universitywide letter and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the U.S. federal government shutdown, which is now the longest in our nation’s history.
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) leadership continues to closely monitor the situation and its impact on our community. While the University is — and will remain — fully operational, many among us have been directly affected by the shutdown.
Some of our students, faculty, and staff have household members who are employed or contracted by the federal government; this includes those who have been furloughed without pay and others whose jobs have been eliminated. The shutdown also has halted or reduced many federally funded programs that members of our community rely on for food, housing, child care, and other vital services.
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hardships that many in our community continue to face, often unbeknownst to their colleagues and peers. In addition to the immediate, measurable impacts to household income and employment stability, the uncertainty surrounding the shutdown has many feeling worried about the future.
I encourage each of you to lean on your community at UMB for support, and I thank our faculty and supervising staff for continuing to lead with compassion, particularly in times like these.
Further, I want to call attention to some of the resources available to UMB students, staff, and faculty.
Food Access
The UMB Student Pantry is open to all students at the University. Students can place pantry orders via an online form and pick up their orders from lockers located on the third floor of the SMC Campus Center.
In addition to the student pantry, UMB FREE (Food Recovery + Environmental Eating) is a food rescue initiative aiming to minimize food waste and feed UMB students.
Faculty and staff impacted by the federal shutdown should consider the following resources addressing food insecurity:
- The Maryland Food Bank and Feeding America offer location-based lists of food banks and other food assistance resources throughout Maryland.
- The Capital Area Food Bank provides a similarly robust location-based list of food assistance resources for those living in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
In addition, 211 Maryland offers a comprehensive search tool to locate food resources anywhere in Maryland. The website also can be used to find support for housing, utility assistance, child care, and more in your home area.
Emergency Financial Support
Each of UMB’s seven schools offers emergency financial support options for students facing a financial crisis. Funding is available to both U.S. and international students. Students must submit an Emergency Fund Application through their school or program.
The Maryland Governor’s Office has published a list of resources available for financial assistance and loan payment flexibility. This includes the Federal Shutdown Loan Program announced by the Maryland Department of Labor on Oct. 6.
Maryland’s Unified Benefits Screener allows state residents to quickly and easily check eligibility for food, cash, medical bill, and energy assistance programs.
Housing and Utility Resources
The Maryland Governor’s Office and the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office websites list resources available for rental assistance, mortgage support, electric and gas utility protections, water bill relief, and more. Both websites are updated as new programs become available.
Mental Health
This is an extraordinarily stressful time for anyone who has been directly impacted by the federal government shutdown.
The Student Counseling Center offers crisis support for UMB students, as well as resources to find an off-campus therapist.
UMB’s Employee Assistance Program is a confidential program designed to help UMB faculty and staff with 24/7 access to information and resources including counseling, legal support, financial information, work-life solutions, and more.
In addition, the state of Maryland offers behavioral health programs and resources.
How You Can Help Students
Members of our community who wish to support UMB students facing food insecurity or emergency financial needs can do so by making a one-time or recurring donation of any amount directly to the UMB Food Security Fund, the UMB Student Emergency Fund, or any of the individual school emergency funds. Please know that the entire UMB community will be grateful for your generosity.
I don’t know how long the government shutdown will last or what the long-term effects may be, but I do know that we are a university strengthened by our community. In times of challenge, we come together to support one another. It’s why our mission to improve the human condition and serve the public good resonates so deeply with each of us.