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In Brief

Call for Proposals for Pepsi Enhancement Fund Grants

The Review Committee for the Pepsi Enhancement Fund is seeking proposals for program funding for the Spring 2021 semester. A $50,000 fund, provided by PepsiCo, will underwrite the cost of programs that broadly affect the campus population.

SEE Welcomes Hasan Minhaj for Homecoming Comedy Show—Virtually

Comedian Hasan Minhaj will headline Student Entertainment Events’ (SEE’s) 2020 Homecoming Comedy Show at the University of Maryland on Oct. 29. 

Introducing the Elevate Project to Upgrade Campus-wide Computing Systems

In two zoom sessions this fall, the University of Maryland will provide an overview of its Elevate Project to upgrade computing systems used for everything from registering for classes to tracking university finances and filling out timesheets. Over the coming years, the project will transition the university from older mainframe systems—many of which were designed more than 20 years ago—to a modern cloud-based solution.

14 Student-Athletes Test Positive for COVID in Latest Results, a Rate of 1.2%

Fourteen Terps student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19 during the most recent round of on-campus screening, Maryland Athletics announced today. Ten were already in quarantine. 

Study: Vaccine Opposition Unites Around Idea Refusal Is a Civil Right

As anti-vaccination discourse ramped up on Facebook over the last decade, it coalesced around the argument that refusing to vaccinate is a civil right, according to a study including a University of Maryland public health researcher that was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Researchers Find That Mosquitos Lost ‘Essential’ Gene and Survived

University of Maryland entomologists have discovered that a gene critical for survival in other insects is missing in mosquitoes. A related gene evolved to take over the missing gene’s job of properly arranging the insect’s segmented body.

Maryland Athletics Coaches Volunteer for Additional Pay Cuts

Thirteen Terps coaches and Athletic Director Damon Evans have volunteered to take additional pay cuts, Maryland Athletics announced today. Every Terrapin head coach who receives supplemental pay has agreed to up to an additional 10% voluntary pay cut, on top of the university-imposed base pay salary reduction. Evans will take an additional voluntary pay cut of 10% from his supplemental pay.

UMD to Lead $1M NSF Project to Build a Quantum Network

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $1 million to a University of Maryland-led team of researchers to develop a quantum network to interconnect quantum computers, an important step toward development of a quantum internet. 

Weekly COVID Testing to Start Oct. 8; New Test Date Offered Oct. 9

Dr. Sacared Bodison, interim director of the University Health Center, sent the following email to the university community yesterday: Testing continues to be an important tool we are using to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Pines Urges: Vote and Be Counted

President Darryll J. Pines sent the following email to the university community today: We knew we could count on 2020 to be a significant year for American democracy, marked by both the decennial census and a presidential election. We, as a nation, did not anticipate two pandemics in 2020—that at the same time we would battle a global public health crisis and confront racial injustice that has plagued our nation throughout history.

Presidential Distinguished Forums on Grand Challenges to Debut

All University of Maryland students, faculty and staff are invited to attend a unique series of virtual Presidential Distinguished Forums featuring renowned experts working at the forefront of today's most pressing issues. The forums are part of university President Darryll J. Pines’ new course, “Grand Challenges of Our Time,” taking on the topics of COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, voter access and the Black Lives Matter movement.

COVID-19 Administrative Leave Update; Talent Share Program Launching

Jewel M. Washington, assistant vice president for human resources, sent the following email to the campus community today: Now that our fall semester is well under way, I am writing to provide an update on several important topics.

Flu-Palooza Week Continues With Vaccination Clinics

The University Health Center is hosting Flu-Palooza Week through Friday to encourage students to get vaccinated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will likely spread this fall and winter, making it more important than ever to get vaccinated from seasonal flu. 

$2.5M NSF Grant Supports Math Learning for Multilingual Students

A new $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant will support University of Maryland-led research on how family-school collaborations that build on the strengths of multilingual families and teachers might improve math learning for multilingual students. 

Nominations Welcome for Spirit of Maryland Award

The 2020 Homecoming Committee is seeking nominating students for the Spirit of Maryland Award. The award is presented annually, in lieu of a traditional homecoming king or queen honoree, to two members of the senior class who through their achievements have most exemplified the "spirit" of the University of Maryland.

UMD Researchers Use Satellite Imagery to Evaluate China’s Food Security

Rapid economic growth, geopolitical turmoil, trade tensions, a global pandemic and widespread flooding are all contributing to concerns about China’s ability to feed its population of 1.4 billion. New research from the UMD Department of Geographical Sciences and Beijing Normal University is helping to gauge the severity of the problem and validate information reported by China. 

Scripps Howard Foundation Establishes Journalism Fellowships at UMD, ASU

The Scripps Howard Foundation has pledged up to $1.5 million to establish a fellowship program in honor of journalist and news executive Roy W. Howard, open exclusively to journalists who have completed studies at the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University and the University of Maryland.

Athletics Announces Updated 2020 Football Schedule

The University of Maryland’s updated 2020 football schedule, which features nine games against conference opponents, was released today by the Big Ten. Maryland opens its 2020 season on Oct. 24 with its first-ever trip to Evanston, Ill., to face Northwestern. The Terps begin their home slate the following week against Minnesota on Oct. 31, before traveling to play Penn State on Nov. 7.

Enhanced Health Precautions for Denton Hall Residents Announced

The Department of Resident Life sent the following email today to students living in residence halls: The health and safety of our community is our fundamental priority. We are committed to on-going work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Funds Available for Student Groups Encouraging Voter Engagement

The Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE) will award grants this fall to student organizations working to increase civic engagement and improve voting accessibility for the 2020 elections. 

UMD Adjusts Zoom Settings to Increase Virtual Community Security

Jeff Hollingsworth, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, and Georgina Dodge, vice president for diversity and inclusion, sent the following email to the campus community today: We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for our limited in-person instruction this semester, and virtually for remote instruction and rich co-curricular activities. 

On-campus COVID-19 Testing Date, Times Added

Dr. Sacared Bodison, interim director of the University Health Center, sent the following email to campus today: Thank you for being attentive to your health and the health of others in our community. Testing is a critical component for managing the spread of COVID-19. While many universities are not offering free testing in an ongoing way, at the University of Maryland we feel it is an essential strategy and tool to help keep our community as safe and well as possible.

Study Finds Rise in Reported Discrimination Against Chinese Americans

The COVID-19 pandemic is fueling xenophobia against Chinese Americans, with parents and youths reporting racial discrimination and damage to their mental health, according to a new study from University of Maryland, College Park and University of Maryland, Baltimore County researchers. This study, the first to examine online and in-person instances of perceived racial discrimination due to the novel coronavirus, was published online this month in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

First Look Fair Goes Virtual, Featuring 400+ Organizations

First Look Fair, one of the most popular fall traditions at the University of Maryland, is for the first time going virtual. The event, hosted by the Stamp Student Union’s Student Organization Resource Center, will host more than 400 student clubs and organizations, departments and corporate sponsors so students can gather information about what interests them, learn how to get involved, and connect with other students with similar interests.

Spring 2021 Education Abroad Programs Canceled

LGBTQ+ Students Struggle During Pandemic, Survey Finds

LGBTQ+ students are reporting high rates of emotional and psychological distress, substance use and difficulty meeting basic needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey led by John P. Salerno, UMD doctoral student in behavioral and community health. The national survey of 565 undergraduate and graduate LGBTQ+ students from May to August found that 65% met the clinical criteria for moderate or severe psychological distress. Forty-three percent had lost their job, while 25% reported that their grades

Free Masks to Be Distributed to Students on Campus

The University of Maryland is giving away two free face coverings to students as part of its efforts “4 Maryland” to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., students can pick up masks from tents outside of three locations: the Physical Sciences Complex, Tawes Plaza and Xfinity Center.

Army Research Office Grant to Fund Study to Improve Intelligence Analysis with AI

A three-year, $616,700 grant from the Army Research Office will fund a University of Maryland-led team examining how intelligence analysts can improve their work by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled systems. AI could help review greater volumes of material, help extract key findings and assemble them into actionable intelligence, while aiding in the accuracy and efficiency of analysts’ work. But increased use of AI might also have drawbacks.

USDA Grant Supports Genomic Approach to Preventing Infections in Dairy Cattle

With consumer trends moving toward antibiotic-free animal agriculture, selecting disease-resistant livestock has become a priority for both animal welfare and production. Now, a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture will help researchers led by Li Ma, an associate professor of animal and avian sciences, analyze millions of cattle breeding records to identify genes and underlying mechanism for disease resistance in dairy cattle.

UMD Community Invited to Virtual Conversation on the University’s Budget

University of Maryland students, faculty and staff are invited to join President Darryll J. Pines and Vice President for Administration and Finance Carlo Colella tomorrow to learn about and discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the university’s budget. 

Voluntary Registry of Close Contacts, Personal COVID-19 Dashboard Launch

Jeff Hollingsworth, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, sent the following email to the campus community today: We are all adapting to learn and work during the COVID-19 pandemic while striving to keep our community safe and healthy. Today I am pleased to announce new ways that technologies developed by the Division of IT, in consultation with the University Health Center, can help us all stay healthy.

New COVID Tests Required for Students Living On, Near Campus, and All Coming to Campus as of Sept. 14

Dr. Sacred Bodison, interim director of the University Health Center, sent the following message to the campus community today: As we continue the gradual reopening of campus, with the expectation that in-person undergraduate education will begin on Sept. 14, this email provides important updates about testing requirements and your next opportunity for COVID-19 testing on campus.

Athletics Training Suspended After 46 Terps Test Positive for COVID-19

Terps athletics training has been suspended after on-campus COVID-19 screenings by the University Health Center on Monday and Tuesday returned 46 positive results for 501 student-athletes tested, affecting 10 teams, Maryland Athletics announced this evening. The suspension is a precautionary measure pending the results of a screening scheduled for Sept. 8.

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Maryland Today is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications for the University of Maryland community on weekdays during the academic year, except for university holidays.