Press Release

USM Board of Regents Approves 10-Year Plan Anticipating Widespread Growth in Student Population

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents has approved a 10-year strategic plan designed to accommodate significant growth in the number of students attending college at all levels, especially among students of traditional college age - the so-called "baby-boom echo." The plan was unanimously approved during the board's meeting on Friday, July 7 at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

"The plan's central premise is that Maryland is undergoing an historic transformation leading to a high-tech, knowledge-based society and an economy powered by a highly skilled, racially and ethnically diverse workforce," wrote USM Chancellor Donald N. Langenberg and Board of Regents Chairman Nathan A. Chapman Jr. in a letter accompanying the document. "The enormity of this challenge has not dissuaded us. Each of the USM's 11 degree-granting institutions and two research institutions has been involved in the development of this plan and is committed to its implementation. ...Maryland's political and business leaders must understand that the most important investment they can make in our State's future is the perpetual education of all its citizens."

The plan anticipates an additional 7,600 full-time traditional undergraduates in the next 10 years. Under current projections, about 2,300 of those students would not be accommodated. The USM response will focus on encouraging aggressive growth at selected campuses and regional centers; maintaining and increasing the number of out-of-state students who are likely to settle in Maryland thus mitigating the coming labor shortage; and increasing the number of USM graduates by 25 percent, with particular attention paid to areas with anticipated high labor shortages, such as teaching and information technology. The plan will be sent to the Governor, the Maryland General Assembly, and the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Chancellor Langenberg emphasized that the plan is designed to ensure that the USM will respond quickly to change: "The plan is intended to be a dynamic document, reviewed annually and amended as necessary to reflect new information and needs, as well as feedback from key stakeholders. We will measure its progress. We expect to be held accountable for its implementation."

The Regents also approved several other agenda items, including:

• Fiscal Year 2002 capital budget request of $275,379,000 and Fiscal Year 2001 USM-funded construction program request of $63,635,000.
• Capital improvement program for Fiscal Years 2002-2006, and 10-year capital plan covering Fiscal Years 2002-2011.
• Formal recognition of new affiliated foundations at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
• Technology fluency plan for students, faculty and staff.

The Board also elected a new slate of officers. In addition to retaining Chapman as chairman, the board voted Admiral Charles R. Larson, (Ret.) as vice chairman; Steny H. Hoyer, secretary; Louise Michaux Gonzales, treasurer; Lillian Hobson Lincoln, assistant secretary; and Thomas B. Finan, Jr., treasurer. The Board also welcomed new Regent Joseph D. Tydings as well as the incoming Student Regent, Kevin G. Oxendine of the University of Maryland, College Park.

Contact:

Chris Hart
Phone: 301/445-2739
Pager: 301/507-2316
E-mail: chart@usmd.edu