McDaniel Weekly - November 10, 2020

From Jose Moreno, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

To recognize the experiences of all first-generation college students, ODEI is happy to be coordinating First-Generation Week! Check out this video, created by OCM and Alumni Engagement, for some great advice for first-gen students. Also, we’re pleased to be hosting the following events:

• If you’re a first-gen-student that needs assistance with your FAFSA application, join us TONIGHT, November 10th, at 7pm. The Office of Financial Aid will be hosting a FAFSA reapplication workshop on Zoom -- click here to join! Gather your materials (FSA ID, 2019 tax returns, 2019 W-2s, and SSN, Alien Registration Number, or TIN) in advance. If you are a dependent student, you will also need to gather your parents’ materials.
• On Thursday, November 12th, at 6:30pm, ODEI is hosting a discussion and Q&A with Aladdin Da Prince, 93.9 WKYS host, to discuss his experience as a first-generation college student and how that has impacted him throughout his career. Aladdin Da Prince has met and interviewed a variety of celebrities such as Maya Angelou, Bakari Sellers, K Michelle, DaBaby, and many more. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

Best,

José Luis Moreno

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Mask up and keep the campus safe

Recently, McDaniel received concerns from the local health department that members of our community are not wearing masks indoors. With just a few weeks left in the semester, remember to mask up! We have a special opportunity to serve as an example of how a community united in a shared goal can achieve success. It is now the responsibility of each of us to recommit ourselves to the tactics that we know keep one another safe. Remember — wearing masks indoors is part of the campus health and safety protocols.

Go to the mall for a FREE movie

This month, OSE is sponsoring movies at the Westminster Mall movie theatre -- FREE transportation and ticket! The following movies still have spots available. Click on the name of the movie to sign up. First up is Toy Story, happening TONIGHT, November 10th -- the bus will depart at 7:20pm and there are still spots available. Then on Thursday, November 19th, we’ll be leaving at 7:20pm for a viewing of Guardians of the Galaxy. Please note: all on-campus social distancing and mask-wearing protocols are still in place for these events.

Participate in the SGA Open Forum

TONIGHT! The Office of Student Engagement and the McDaniel Student Government Association are hosting a SGA Special Elections Open Forum. Ask the student government candidates about their plans for the future of McDaniel College: have a question? Come get an answer! Have vision? Make it known!

This open forum will take place tonight, November 10th from 5-7pm in Big Baker. Contact Courtney Cunningham (ccunningham@mcdaniel.edu), Associate Director of OSE, with any questions. Candidate answers will also be recorded and shared, afterwards.

SGA Report from the Board of Trustees Meeting

From Amara Foster, Student Government Association President: The McDaniel board meeting took place on Saturday, October 24th, 2020, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. The agenda for this meeting included concerns involving recruitment and retention, budget and finance, DEI, and shared governance.

In the meeting, the impact that COVID-19 will have on 2021 enrollment was discussed. There is a potential financial impact of COVID-19, such as students may not attend college at the same rate, which will in turn decrease our school's applicant pool. Also, there are going to continue to be unknowns about how the campus experience will be in the future. Therefore, we can’t be overly dependent on enrollment, when it comes to the financial side of things. The admissions department is currently determining various enrollment strategies.

Additionally, the search for our next President has begun, as the search committee has started their lengthy and extensive process. Their goal is to receive input from all the stakeholder groups that make up the college. They want to make sure they include students, faculty, and staff in this very important decision.

If you have any questions on anything related to this meeting, or in general, please reach out to me. You can find me on campus, or feel free to email me at ane004@mcdaniel.edu.

Attend the virtual screening of “Inventing Tomorrow”

TONIGHT, November 10th, at 7pm, Global Initiatives and Hoover Library are presenting a virtual showing of the award-winning documentary "Inventing Tomorrow," which is about young scientists from around the world who are coming up with innovative ideas to address environmental challenges facing the world. Dr. Dana Ferraris will be facilitating a discussion after the film. To RSVP to receive a link to the Teams meeting, email ipo@mcdaniel.edu.

Create a personalized holiday card for a BGCW member

Each year, we celebrate our partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Westminster with holiday festivities. This year, we’re sending personalized cards to the students! Get your holiday cheer and get creative with music and card making in the Roj Innovation Lab on Thursday, November 12th, 4-8pm. We’ll be making cards for over 90 kids, who want to hear from YOU! Come get crafty with us and let them know they’re in our thoughts.

Learn more about Panhellenic Sorority recruitment

Interested in joining a Panhellenic Sorority? We are hosting 4 information sessions for you to learn more about recruitment! Stop by the info tables in Roj on the following days:

• TONIGHT, November 10th, from 5-7pm
• Thursday, November 12th, from 11am-1pm
• Monday, November 16th, from 11am-1pm

If you can't make it in person we will also be hosting a Zoom session on November 19th, 8-8:30pm. (Meeting ID: 746 3314 8068, Passcode: PUK04Z). Alternatively, you can click here for the recruitment link for direct enrollment.

Focus on developing your pre-professional skills

The CEO and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority are hosting a discussion on Zoom on Wednesday, November 11th, at 5:08pm about how to maintain your professional development momentum. Come get tips on how to develop your pre-professional skills and build a resume/portfolio in spite of challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic!

Get your flu vaccine -- final fall clinic

If you still need to get your flu vaccine, the final Fall Flu and Immunization Clinic (hosted by the Wellness Center and Giant Pharmacy) taking place in Klitzberg Pavilion (located inside Gill Center) on Thursday, November 12th, from 11am-2pm. Bring your ID and insurance card!

Learn more about studying abroad at Budapest

Curious to learn about studying abroad at McDaniel's campus in Budapest? On Thursday, November 12th, at 5pm, learn more about your options and hear from returned students. Click here to join the Teams meeting. Questions? Email ipo@mcdaniel.edu.

Remember to apply for GZ and P2GP

Have you heard? The deadline to apply for the Griswold-Zepp Award and the Pitch to Get Paid contest has been extended to Friday, November 13th! Click here for the application for the Griswold-Zepp Award, and jump-start your social justice project. For the Pitch to Get Paid contest, upload a 2-4 minute pitch to Youtube about your innovative business or product idea and email the url to Dean Ambrose (jambrose@mcdaniel.edu). DUE THIS FRIDAY!

As a side note, if you’re the first student to email Amanda Gelber (agelber@mcdaniel.edu) the word “pumpkin spice”, you’ll get a free blanket.

Sign up for the end of the semester shuttle

With the end of the semester and Thanksgiving holiday approaching quickly, the Department of Campus Safety will run limited shuttle transport to BWI Airport, beginning on Saturday, November 21st through Wednesday, November 23rd. Shuttles will run at 9am, 9:30am, and 10am.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only two passengers per transport van are permitted and shuttle availability will be first come, first serve. To sign up, contact Brenda Roper (broper@mcdaniel.edu) or by calling 410-857-2202.

First years, fill out the tech survey for My Design

Are you a first-year student preparing to take your online My Design course this January? We need to assess your technology status and needs! If you have not already done so, please take a moment to complete this mandatory survey to let us know about your access to technology for January. LAST CHANCE!

Get a jump start on your public service career

Do you aspire to have a public service career? Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society, is currently accepting applications for the “Key into Public Service Scholars” program. Last year, Jessia Avila ‘22 was one of the 20 students selected!

This initiative awards a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship, networking opportunities, and job training. Applications are due January 15th, 2021 from students with at least a 3.5 GPA. For assistance with your application materials, schedule a meeting with a CEO staff member through Handshake.