New Faculty Onboarding

Review and Complete New Hire Paperwork: Please ensure you have completed and signed all required forms for employment. Work with your department to finalize these processes well before you arrive on campus. For any additional assistance, contact hrstm@umbc.edu.

• Offer letter and employment contract(s)
• Pre-Hire Faculty Forms
• Docusign I-9 Employment Eligibility Form
  • Instructions in English
  • Instructions in Spanish
• Direct Deposit Form
• Federal and State Tax Forms

Orientation Sessions: There will be two (2) orientations to ensure you are well-prepared for your new faculty appointment:

1. Office of Human Resources New Hire Orientation: This session will be held remotely via WebEx. HR will provide information about employment benefits, workplace policies, and available employee resources. During this session, you will:
   • Receive an overview of benefits enrollment options
   • Learn about payroll, direct deposit, and leave policies
   • Receive information about wellness programs and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

All new faculty are required to attend the HR New Hire Orientation. You will receive an email and calendar invitation from HR with session details.

1. • Teaching Faculty (9-month appointments) starting in the Fall will receive an orientation invitation in late June and are expected to attend one of the weekly August sessions before classes begin.
   • Research Faculty (12-month appointments) will attend New Hire Orientation based on their individual hire date, which may occur at any point throughout the year.
2. Provost Office and Faculty Development Center Orientation: The Provost Office and the Faculty Development Center (FDC) hosts a welcome program for new full-time faculty each August. This session is designed to help you transition into your role and provides valuable resources for professional development.

We invite you to mark your calendars for the next New Faculty Orientation on August 18-19, 2025 in the UMBC Performing Arts & Humanities Building, Room 102. Please refer to the UMBC Campus Map to find directions. For more information, you may contact the FDC at fdc@umbc.edu.

Resources for International Faculty

• Immigration and Visa Support: The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) assists with obtaining appropriate visas for individuals with academic or visiting appointments. OISS provides expert guidance on immigration processes, mainly J-1 and H-1B visas, and supports employees on the path to permanent residency. Additionally, OISS offers guidance on F-1 student visas.
• Immigration Policy Updates: OISS keeps international faculty, researchers, staff, and students informed about changes in immigration policies and regulations that may affect their status. Stay updated by visiting their Immigration Updates page.

Relocation Resources
To help you transition smoothly, please review the Moving Expense Best Practices document and contact your department chair if you have questions about the moving policy.

• Discounted Moving Services:
  • Budget truck rentals: Enjoy a 20% discount on local moves and 15% off on one-way moves for educators.
• ComPsych Guidance Resources: Available through UMBC’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), this free service offers helpful tips on finding a home, planning your move, and deciding between renting and buying.
  • To access ComPsych online resources, use our company ID: USMEAP.

Campus Map and Getting Around Campus

• Campus Map: Access campus maps here to find buildings, parking, and accessible routes.
• Accessible Routes: The campus map includes accessible routes for those with mobility needs.
• 360° Virtual Tour: Explore UMBC remotely and view campus buildings with the virtual tour here.
• Black & Gold Information Session & Campus Tour: A guided introduction to campus and its resources, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. These sessions and tours are primarily for prospective students, but faculty and staff are welcome to join. Contact Gina Ralston, Campus Visit Experience Coordinator, at gralston@umbc.edu for the upcoming dates and times.

Technology Access and IT Setup: Below outlines the most critical steps you need to complete before arriving on campus. Setting up your UMBC credentials and accessing key systems is essential to ensure a smooth transition into your faculty role. Please check your email for detailed instructions UMBC-TSC@umbc.edu regarding your access.

• UMBC Account: Once your new hire paperwork is complete, create your UMBC account by following the directions here. You will need your Campus ID number and date of birth (DOB) to complete the setup.
• Campus Email: UMBC uses Gmail for email services and directions for accessing your account can be found here, after you have created your UMBC account.
• myUMBC: myUMBC is the university’s centralized platform for accessing resources such as your UMBC email, calendar, Blackboard course shell, Google Drive, and various campus groups.
• Duo Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): To help ensure your UMBC account stays secure, all faculty are required to download the “Duo Mobile” two-factor authentication application on their phone. Instructions for enrolling in “Duo” will be provided in the email from the Technology Support Center. Alternatively, you can access the setup instructions directly by visiting the Division of Information Technology. Once enrolled, Duo 2FA will be required to access most university systems, including myUMBC, campus email, and other key resources.

Parking and Transportation: If you plan to drive to campus, please review the parking options available to faculty members. UMBC offers a variety of transportation options to accommodate different needs.

• New Faculty Parking Permits: All employees are required to have a valid permit to park on campus. New faculty may request a two-week temporary parking permit, allowing time to explore long-term parking options. For more information on permits, visit Parking Services.

• Shuttle Service: UMBC provides a shuttle service to assist with transportation across the campus. For details on shuttle routes, hours of operation, and pick-up locations, visit the Transit site.

• Public transportation: UMBC is accessible by public transit, and the campus is served by several bus lines and the Light RailLink station. Visit the Transit site or Maryland Transit Authority website for more information on schedules and routes.

• Biking: UMBC encourages sustainable transportation options such as biking. Bicycles must be parked in bicycle pods or at bicycle racks.  Please note — bikes chained to trees, buildings, poles, etc. may be confiscated by UMBC Police. For more information, visit parking services.

Accessibility and Disability: If faculty require disability-related accommodations, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services as soon as possible to arrange support.

Campus ID Card: All faculty should obtain a UMBC ID (Retriever) card. Your ID card provides access to a variety of on-campus resources, including meal payments, library borrowing, gym/recreation facilities, and campus transit. Additionally, funds can be added to the card for use at on-campus dining locations, copy services, vending machines, pay-for-print stations, and select off-campus locations in the surrounding Catonsville/Arbutus area.

• To obtain your UMBC ID, visit the Office of Campus Card and Mail Services located on the 1st floor of the University Center. Be sure to bring a current government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport).
• Campus Card office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. For additional information visit campuscard.umbc.edu

Office and Workspace Setup: Coordinate with your department to ensure your office space is equipped with the necessary supplies and resources. This may include furniture, phone lines, and other technology.

Office keys: Your department will provide keys to your office and any necessary research or teaching facilities. Please be sure to coordinate with your department’s administrative staff to secure these items.

Meeting Your Department

• Chair: You should meet with your department chair, who will provide an overview of departmental expectations, research goals, and institutional support available to you. A list of sample questions can be found here.
• Mentors and Colleagues: You may also be introduced to assigned mentors and colleagues within your department who can offer guidance as you transition into your new appointment.
• Administrative Staff: It will be key to meet with your department’s administrative staff who will assist with logistical concerns, such as course scheduling, classroom access, office supplies, and any other department-specific needs.

Teaching Preparation

• Course Assignments: Confirm your course assignments and teaching schedule with your department chair (or designee). Make sure to verify the course modality (i.e., in-person, hybrid, or online) to plan accordingly.

• Syllabus Development: The syllabus is a vital component for communicating your teaching philosophy, course information and structure, policies, and expectations for students. It also serves as a reference tool for both faculty and students throughout the semester. The Faculty Development Center (FDC) provides guidelines for creating a syllabus, including required language that is mandated by law. Be sure to incorporate the required elements and utilize the resources available through the FDC.
• Course Rosters and Waitlists: Faculty may access class rosters and waitlists through the “Faculty Center” by logging into your myUMBC account. Be sure to review your roster at the start of the semester and monitor waitlists as needed. For more details, visit Course Rosters & Waitlists Support.
• Academic calendar: The UMBC academic calendar provides important dates for the academic year, including semester start and end dates, holidays, and deadlines for registration and grading. To stay informed about key academic events, access the full academic calendar here and be sure to check it regularly for updates throughout the year.
• Textbook Orders and Materials: To ensure students have the necessary materials for your course, it is important to place textbook orders early through the UMBC Bookstore. All faculty will receive reminders from the Bookstore for the adoption periods and you can complete the online request through their VerbaCollect system. Please be sure to place your orders in advance to comply with UMBC and USM Board of Regents policies.

Textbook Adoption Deadlines:

• • Summer/Fall Courses: By the 3rd Friday in March (no later than April 24)
  • Winter/Spring Courses: By the 3rd Friday in October (no later than November 24)

For any questions related to textbooks and course materials, visit the UMBC Bookstore Staff/Faculty Resources page or contact the bookstore at textbook@umbc.edu.

For general questions, reach out to bookstore@umbc.edu.

• Accessing Classrooms: Most classrooms will be open, but if you encounter any issues accessing your assigned rooms, please reach out to your department staff for assistance.
• Blackboard: Blackboard is UMBC’s Learning Management System, a platform used to manage, deliver, and track course content and materials. Click here for additional information on how to access and set up your Blackboard account and courseshell.
• Faculty Development Center (FDC): The FDC offers valuable resources to enhance teaching, including
  • Workshops on course design and inclusive teaching
  • One-on-One consultations for personal support
  • Peer Teaching Observations for constructive feedback
  • Instructional technology support to integrate digital tools and resources
  • Faculty Learning Communities to discuss best practices

For more information, visit the FDC website.

Research Preparation

• Lab Space: For faculty requiring lab space, your department will guide you through the process of accessing and setting up your workspace. If applicable, your department will also assist in obtaining the necessary access for entry to research lab facilities. For further details, contact your department’s administrative staff or research support team.
• Grant Funding and Start-up resources: The Division of Research & Creative Achievement at UMBC supports faculty in advancing research, scholarship, and creative work across disciplines. Faculty have access to internal grants that may fund pilot studies, seed projects, travel for research purposes, and other initiatives aimed at advancing scholarly and creative work. For more information on available funding opportunities and support services, visit the Division’s website.
• IRB and Compliance: UMBC’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for safeguarding the rights and ensuring the safety of human subjects involved in research. The IRB mandates that all UMBC-affiliated investigators engaged in research, whether funded or not, adhere to both UMBC and federal regulations for the protection of human subjects. For more information, please visit the IRB site within the Division of Research and Creative Achievement.
• Library: The Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery offers a wide array of services and resources to support UMBC faculty in their teaching, research, and creative work. These services include:
  • • Placing course materials on reserve for student access
    • Requesting instruction sessions to enhance research skills
    • Exploring Open Educational Resources for your courses

For more information visit the Library’s faculty services page.

Advising and Supporting Students

• Office of Student Disability Services (SDS): The Office of Student Disability Services works to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to academic opportunities. Faculty are required to collaborate with SDS when a student requests accommodations. Once a request is approved, SDS will inform faculty of the student’s accommodation needs and provide guidance on implementing the necessary support. For the most updated information, please visit the SDS Faculty page for more instructional tools and resources.
• Academic Learning Resources & Tutoring: UMBC offers a variety of resources to support students’ learning needs, including tutoring services. For more information, visit the Academic Success Center.

Each college has developed its own onboarding checklist that complement this guide. While you may find some overlap, these checklists offer additional resources specific to your college. For questions about college-specific checklists, please contact your respective college directly.

• College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Science
• College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
• College of Engineering and Information Technology

Faculty members in schools that are not associated with a college (i.e., Erickson School of Aging and the School of Social Work) should follow this guide and contact their respective departments for any additional onboarding guidance.