GSO Fall Update

Hello GSOs,

Please read the below information in regards to reminders, updates and new changes that will affect event planning and the submission of funding requests.

The Graduate School and GSA want to make it clear that event planning for the entire year still requires significant pre-planning due to the space and safety requirements of COVID. 

• Reserving space on campus has become extremely limited and there is currently a 14 day hold for reserving space. Please make sure that you are planning ahead of time for both Fall and Spring events

• Please refer to the university guidelines on hosting events linkedhere. Specifically, if you are planning on having more than 50 people for an in-person event, you must discuss it with your Vice President or Dean.  

• The Grants Review Panel is requesting that GSOs submit allocation requests forms at least 2 weeks in advance. The committee needs sufficient time to look over and discuss the request prior to approving it 

• Effective Spring Semester 2022: All allocation requests must be submitted at least one month in advance in order to be considered for funding. The Executive Council made this decision based on this semester’s requests and the new update can be found here. 

• If you are requesting food from on campus providers, please make sure you are giving them ample time to prepare an order. Many of the caterers are requesting at least a week notice, but it is always better to request earlier

• These are the approved methods currently for on campus food services:

• Individually wrapped, pre-packaged snack items

• Individually prepared, boxed meal options provided by one of the approved caterers

• Sit down catered meal prepared by and served by an approved caterer

• Pizza is allowed as long as there are designated servers that are masked and gloved.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of these updates, please reach out to gsa@umbc.edu 

Best,

Zane Poffenberger 

Community Liaison