UMD stands with international students. This statement embodies the international ethos of the University of Maryland (UMD), the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS), and the Office of International and Executive Programs (OIEP).
Below, please find links to a series of statements by UMD and BSOS leaders in support of international students as well as links to information about the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") outbreak and managing its effects.
Statements and Resources of Interest to BSOS International Students
President Darryll J. Pines:
- Inaugural message to the University of Maryland Community and Terrapin Family;
- Excerpt from President Pines' inaugural message highlighting the legacies of African American and Asian students who were pathfinders:
"In honor of their pioneering and trailblazing steps to diversify the University of Maryland student body, I submitted a request to name our two newest residence halls in honor of individuals who have contributed to the rich diversity and culture that defines our campus today. They are: Mr. Hiram Whittle, the first African American male to be admitted to our university in 1951; Ms. Elaine Johnson-Coates, the first African American female to graduate with a degree in education in 1959; Mr. Pyon Su, the first Korean student to receive a degree from any American college or university; and Mr. Chunjen Constant Chen, the first Chinese student to enroll at the Maryland Agricultural College. Each exemplifies Terrapin grit, desire and determination to succeed against all odds."
- Follow up message: See the item listed below entitled "Honoring University of Maryland Trailblazers" for excerpt from President Pines' message announcing that new campus residence halls will be named in honor of four student pioneers;
- Follow up action: University Dedicates Pyon-Chen Hall With Descendants of Pioneering Students.
- Excerpt from President Pines' inaugural message highlighting the legacies of African American and Asian students who were pathfinders:
- We’ll Work to Protect International Students;
- Excerpt from President Pines' message addressing changes to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP):
"I stand in solidarity with our international students, who are highly valued for everything they contribute to our diverse and vibrant community. We will continue to look out for all Terrapin students from every country of origin, and we are working with our representatives in Congress to protect immigration status of our international undergraduate and graduate students. We are urgently considering alternative options, as this newly announced rule has caused great concern. I am asking Provost and Senior Vice President Mary Ann Rankin to direct colleges and schools to seek academic solutions that ensure more in-person instruction, including the use of independent research, discipline seminar courses and other courses that offer in-person instruction to our international students."
- Excerpt from President Pines' message addressing changes to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP):
- Honoring University of Maryland Trailblazers;
- Excerpt from President Pines' message announcing that new campus residence halls will be named in honor of four pioneers in recognition of their invaluable contributions to UMD:
"I am happy to announce a major step forward in plans I outlined on the first day of my presidency. The University System of Maryland Board of Regents has approved our proposal to name our newest campus residence halls after four individuals who paved the way for the rich diversity and culture that defines our campus today: Mr. Hiram Whittle, the first African American male to be admitted to our university in 1951; Ms. Elaine Johnson Coates, the first African American female to graduate with a degree in education in 1959; Mr. Pyon Su, the first Korean student to receive a degree from any American college or university; and Mr. Chunjen Constant Chen, the first Chinese student to enroll at the Maryland Agricultural College."
- Excerpt from President Pines' message announcing that new campus residence halls will be named in honor of four pioneers in recognition of their invaluable contributions to UMD:
- In Solidarity with Asian and Asian American Communities;
- Excerpt from President Pines' letter:
"It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today as senseless violence in our country continues. Last week, the deadly attack in Atlanta only emphasized the surge in anti-Asian sentiment that has plagued our country. I stand in solidarity with members of the Asian and Asian American community and condemn these senseless acts of hate and violence. We must unite to fight against this hate."
- Excerpt from President Pines' letter:
- UMD Solidarity with International Community;
- Excerpts from a letter signed by President Pines, Ann Wylie (senior vice president and provost), Spyridon S. Marinopoulos (chief medical officer, University of Maryland) and Ross Lewin (associate vice president for international affairs):
"We are deeply saddened to see the devastating impact that COVID-19 is creating across India and other countries around the world. Although the pandemic has affected us all, the impact from COVID-19 continues to grow more severe outside the United States...To our international students, scholars and faculty: you are one of the University of Maryland’s greatest strengths, and we recognize the unique challenges and stresses you have faced throughout this pandemic. Our community supports each other in this very challenging time."
- Excerpts from a letter signed by President Pines, Ann Wylie (senior vice president and provost), Spyridon S. Marinopoulos (chief medical officer, University of Maryland) and Ross Lewin (associate vice president for international affairs):
- UMD Stands With Terps Affected by Invasion of Ukraine;
- Excerpts from President Pines' message:
"As a global community comprising faculty, staff, students, families and alumni from over 100 countries around the world, we are all impacted by the attack on Ukraine. There is a ripple effect in ways we can and cannot see. As global citizens committed to building a better world, the horrifying images of the invasion are distressing to us all."
- Excerpts from President Pines' message:
Former President Wallace Loh: White House order on students from China.
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Vice President for Student Affairs: Call for Solidarity With Asian, Asian American Communities.
The Graduate School:
BSOS Dean:
- Coronavirus and our community;
(Please click here for the Chinese-language version / 请点击此链接参阅中文版) - Reiterating Pres. Loh's Support of International Students and Colleagues;
(Please click here for the Chinese-language version / 请点击此链接参阅中文版) - Modifications to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP);
- BSOS Stands in Solidarity with Asian Communities;
- Supporting Those Affected by the Invasion of Ukraine.
BSOS Interim Dean Wayne McIntosh (standing, blue shirt) and students from Northwestern University, China. (Note: this photo was taken in July 2019, when Prof. McIntosh served as BSOS associate dean.)
CCJS Department Chair:
- Protecting international programs.
(Please click here for the Chinese-language version / 请点击此链接参阅中文版)
GEOG Department Chair:
- We welcome students and visiting scientists from China;
(Page at link includes Chinese-language version / 链接页面包含中文版本) - To our graduate students, particularly those from China.
(Please click here for the Chinese-language version / 请点击此链接参阅中文版)
UMD Office of Diversity and Inclusion: Combating anti-Asian bias due to coronavirus.
Maryland Today (produced by UMD's Office of Strategic Communications): Terps Mourn Victims of Anti-Asian Violence.
Global UMD:
- Office of International Affairs (OIA);
- International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS);
- Resources for Global Engagement.
Information About the Novel Coronavirus ("COVID-19") and UMD's Response
UMD President:
- Communications;
- New COVID-19 Campus Dashboard; Free Testing on Campus (19 August 2020);
- We Need Your Help to Stop the Spread (20 August 2020);
- On Decision-making (24 August 2020);
- Planning for Fall 2021 (11 February 2021).
University of Maryland:
- University Health Center;
- Requirements for Returning to Work on Campus;
- Face Coverings - Guidance for the UMD Community;
- Health & Safety Plan;
- Faculty Health & Safety Acknowledgement and Disciplinary Action Guidance;
- COVID-19 Testing Information;
- Covid-19 Dashboard;
- Fall 2020 Reopening Plan - “4Maryland” Guidelines.
University System of Maryland:
- COVID Research and Innovation Task Force;
- COVID-19 Testing and Symptom Monitoring for Students and Employees Returning in Fall 2020 (30 July 2020).
UMD Assistant Vice President:
- Telework guidance for employees (17 March 2020);
- Working Through COVID-19 (27 March 2020);
- Telework and Administrative Leave Guidance Extended (6 April 2020);
- New safety protocols for returning to campus (11 June 2020);
- Telework to Continue (26 June 2020).
The Graduate School: Coronavirus Information.
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences: College-specific Updates and Resources on Coronavirus.
Smith School of Business webinar: Covid-19 and the Future of US-China Relations (by Prof. Anil K. Gupta).
Additional UMD information and resources
For students:
- Student FAQ During COVID-19 (from UMD's Office of International Student & Scholar Services, or ISSS);
- Keep Learning;
- Keep Connected.
For faculty and staff: Keep Working.
For teachers: Keep Teaching.
Non-UMD information and resources
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Protections Against Coronavirus.
Maryland Governor: Maryland Strong Roadmap to Recovery.
Maryland Department of Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak.
Association of American Universities (AAU): COVID-19 Federal Guidance FAQs.
American Political Science Association (APSA): Resources for Coronavirus Response.
