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Zoom setting changes for a secure virtual community

September 17, 2020

Dear UMD Community Members,

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.
 
Over the past week, we have received several reports of disruptive, disturbing and hurtful behavior by individuals who interrupted Zoom classes and other campus events. These matters are being investigated and will not be tolerated. If any member of the campus community is found to be involved in this behavior, they will face disciplinary action, which may result in removal from the campus community.

Adjusting our Technology Settings

To prevent a recurrence of these disruptions of classes and campus events, the Division of IT will update the Zoom default settings to require central authentication (UMD Directory ID) for all meeting attendees. Moving forward, by default, only authenticated UMD users can join UMD Zoom meetings and webinars. This change will take effect on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 8 p.m.
 
Please know that you maintain control of your meeting security selections, and you will still be able to invite external collaborators (anyone who does not have a UMD Directory ID and password) to participate in your Zoom meetings. If you plan to invite external collaborators, adjust your meeting settings by following these instructions. After the change, you should check any previously scheduled upcoming meetings that will include external collaborators and adjust your meeting settings accordingly. The new requirement for UMD login will be applied to all previously scheduled meetings.
 
Students, faculty or staff members attending a UMD Zoom meeting should always log into Zoom using your UMD credentials and not a personal Zoom account. Not doing so will prevent you from accessing your online UMD classes and meetings starting on Monday, September 21.
 
Learn more about security settings for Zoom meetings. If you need assistance with Zoom or other UMD IT services, please contact the IT Service Desk.

An Inclusive Campus

Lastly, and most importantly, please reach out for resources and support if you were impacted by classroom or virtual activity disruptions on Zoom.
One such resource, Bias Incident Support Services (BISS), assists anyone at the University of Maryland impacted by hate-bias incidents. You can report a bias incident and a staff member will contact you within 48 hours for ongoing support. The new BISS Protocol explains reporting procedures, available resources, and possible outcomes.
 
Thank you for working with us as we make adjustments to become a more secure learning environment. We appreciate the work each and every one of us is doing every day to be a more inclusive campus. Please stay TerrapinSTRONG and reach out to us if we can help in any way. Thank you for your understanding of any inconvenience caused by the upcoming Zoom setting changes.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jeff Hollingsworth
Vice President for Information Technology
 
Georgina Dodge
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
 
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The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and nearly 400,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus.

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Spanning 12 schools and colleges, Maryland offers more than 300 degree-granting programs, many of them ranked among the best in the country. Our faculty includes two Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 58 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. And our students, who include the highest achievers in the state and nation, enjoy experiences unique to our location just outside the nation’s capital, including internships, research, and leadership and service opportunities.

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The University of Maryland is one of the world’s premier research institutions. With our strategic location and scores of partnerships with government and businesses, UMD conducts groundbreaking research on some of the biggest challenges facing our global community, including cybersecurity and terrorism, bioengineering, public health equity, food safety and climate change. We strive to discover new knowledge and put it to work through innovation and entrepreneurship, advancing economic development and transforming lives. 

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At the University of Maryland, the arts, the humanities and the sciences intersect to address important societal issues and shed new light on the human experience. Our vibrant campus arts community collaborates with local and national cultural organizations such as the Phillips Collection, Kennedy Center and Folger Shakespeare Library. Student and faculty artists, designers, historians, writers and performers are exploring new media, presenting new perspectives, investigating new techniques and engaging new audiences.

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