Communications Plan

The Self-Study Steering Committee will regularly update UMB’s community through a variety of methods including the monthly President’s Message; town halls; email blasts; and articles in The Elm, a weekly digital communication. All communications will continue to educate the UMB community about the value of undergoing the Middle States Self-Study inquiry process and a progress update. Communications will also encourage broad participation and solicitation of questions and/or suggestions.

Additionally, UMB has a Self-Study website to serve as the primary communication platform. UMB will also use an email address to issue communications addressing the Self-Study that will receive both solicited and unsolicited reaction to and questions about the Self-Study. The address is middlestates2025@umaryland.edu.

Spring 2023

  • Letter to the Community from President Jarrell distributed via email.
  • Establishment of Steering and Logistics Committees – deans and vice presidents solicited for names of possible members.
  • Website created.
  • Logistics Committee begins weekly virtual meetings and Steering Committee begins tri-weekly in-person meetings and connections between members begin to form.
  • Individual committee members begin one-on-one and small group conversations in their workplaces.
  • Volunteer solicitation form created and distributed in president’s monthly letter.
  • Campus-wide open session held during MSCHE liaison visit to explain, answer questions, and discuss faculty, staff, and student roles in the Self-Study process.

Fall 2023

  • Regular in-person updates to the president, deans, and vice presidents on the progress of the Self-Study process.
  • Regular email updates to the campus community on the progress of the Self-Study process.
  • Digital advertising begins (“e-boards”).
  • Articles submitted to The Elm website and The Elm Weekly email newsletter.
  • In-person appearances by Steering Committee representatives at Staff Senate, Faculty Senate, Graduate Student Association, and University Student Government Association meetings.
  • Working Groups’ members arrange small group meetings within their school, program, and department to answer questions, with the publicity handled by individual units.
  • Town halls held to educate and engage UMB community surrounding the Self-Study tentative conclusions and recommendations promoted on e-boards, President’s Message newsletter, and The Elm/Elm Weekly.

Spring 2024

  • Self-Study retreat for Steering Committee.
  • Working Groups submit drafts and members of the UMB community are offered opportunities to comment.

Fall 2024

  • Notice via e-boards and The Elm/Elm Weekly regarding visit of Self-Study Team Chair and opportunities to interact, share, and learn.