Welcome to UMBC, the DIY Campus

Each of us can make contributions that matter

by David Hoffman and Craig Berger

This is our time: all of us together, the people of UMBC, last of the campus pioneers.

Every one of us will forever carry the distinction of having arrived before UMBC’s 50th anniversary. The UMBC community has built a legacy of grit and greatness, but the process of creating UMBC has not ended. The paths that we walk among the campus buildings all began with the footsteps of our predecessors across dirt and grass. Now we have the opportunity to make paths of our own, to live and write the story of this remarkable scholarly community, knowing that our contributions and legacies will guide the journeys of generations yet to come.

UMBC has always stood for inclusion, justice, innovation and social hope. The opportunity for each generation of Retrievers is to determine how to make those values our own, and to enact them together in our relationships and our lives. How will we build on the remarkable foundation laid by our predecessors? What kind of community will we become as each of us approaches our teaching, learning, research, activities, and the people around us with curiosity, an open heart, and a sincere desire to change the world for the better?

What we know is that each of us will matter. Every new member of our community has a story to tell, and a contribution to make. To all of you: Welcome!

The two of us were at a student government retreat last week, where one participant described UMBC as a “DIY campus.” That’s exactly right: Here, we do it ourselves, together. And now, as a new year begins, all of us roll up our sleeves and return to the work of building.

We want to introduce a few online resources for people at UMBC who want to make the most of their time here by getting involved as co-creators of their communities, on campus and beyond.

Co-Create UMBC is the blog we write to support UMBC's co-creators, in part by making the UMBC community visible to itself. We'll be sharing profiles of UMBC community members, photos of UMBC from the present and past, involvement and leadership opportunities, and reflections grounded in our own stories and experiences.

Join the Co-Create UMBC group on MyUMBC.
Like the Co-Create UMBC Facebook page.
Follow Co-Create UMBC on Twitter.
Follow Craig Berger on Twitter.
Follow David Hoffman on Twitter.

BreakingGround is a UMBC initiative linking people, courses, community projects, and research through a philosophy of hopeful, creative action for positive social change.

Join the BreakingGround group on MyUMBC.
Like the BreakingGround Facebook page.

The Shriver Center is UMBC's center for applied learning, civic engagement, and community-based service.

Join the Shriver Center group on MyUMBC.
Like the Shriver Center Facebook page.

UMBC Student Life supports student leadership development, campus and community engagement, student organizations and campus events.

Join the UMBC Student Life group on MyUMBC.
Like the UMBC Student Life Facebook page.
Follow UMBC Student Life on Twitter.

Join the UMBC Serves group on MyUMBC for updates from the Shriver Center and UMBC Student Life about opportunities to get involved in service.

The Women's Center advances gender equity from an intersectional feminist perspective through co-curricular programming, support services, and advocacy for marginalized individuals and communities.