Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to meet with about 40 student leaders of the USGA at the University of Maryland, Baltimore to discuss happenings in Annapolis and throughout the USM. The vast majority were graduate students, a change-up of sorts for me because by nature of enrollments, most students that I interact with are undergraduates.
We spoke about the realities of funding of graduate schools and that from the state's perspective, is often a secondary priority. The Governor has emboldened his support for a tuition freeze this week for in-state, undergraduate students. Many graduate students have argued that such a policy sets up graduate students to pay for undergraduate tuition freezes. I explained that the USM has made it a strong policy that only through full-funding of the operating budget with the USM agree to a tuition freeze. In other words, the Board of Regents will only approve a tuition freeze if all other costs are covered.
Other issues were raised during the meeting, such as the varying increases in tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. For instance, in the law school at UMB, out-of-state fees raised 4.3% last year, while in-state tuition increased 7.4%. The intention of such a move is to attract the best and brightest out-of-state students to UMB Law to drive up the prestige. I look forward to continued conversations regarding tuition policies for graduate students.
Without a doubt, graduate students are a vital component of the Maryland workforce. The question we analyze is what is most efficient and fair use of dollars appropriated to higher education, between undergraduate and graduate students.
Showing posts with label UMB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UMB. Show all posts
1.30.2009
9.19.2008
Breaking Ground at UMB Pharmacy
I had a great time this morning attending the "groundbreaking" ceremony for the UMB Pharmacy Addition. Governor O'Malley, President Ramsay, Speaker Pro Tem Jones, Pharmacy SGA President Yara Haddad, and others participated in the event celebrating a long-awaited project. My understanding is that this project has been in queue for nearly two decades, and finally has been pushed through planning and now to the construction phase. While the building has seemed a bit auxiliary in previous years, leaders in Annapolis have recognized the great need to support the Pharmacy program becuase of the great demand for pharmacists in the region.
This case raises a question that I had for a long time, which was how are buildings actually built? And related, why does it take so long? And who pays for the buildings?
Generally, funding comes from four areas for buildings in universities:
1) state budget
2) university budget general fund balance, whether from leftover student fees or unrestricted state, federal, or grant funds
3) private partner dollars
4) bonds (loans), whether applied on the balance of the university or private partner
The USM has provided an overview of the capital budget process for the public. More information can be found at the Capital Planning page the USM website.
Universities by far prefer to recieve funding from the State for capital projects. The availability of these funds is often limited, particularly during tough fiscal times. Additionally, in higher education, buildings that are funded both through public dollars and private dollars/bonds are often easier to push through the budget process becuase of the private buy-in and initiative ( a nickel, get a dime).
State funds, though, can only be used for "core mission" facilities. Core mission facilities are those which relate directly to the academic mission of the university, such as lecture halls, academic offices, administrative offices, athletic facilities used for academic gym classes. What is not included is residential facilities, dining halls, and student unions. I talk more about this budget process in a previous post. The other three categories can be used to fund these projects.
From my view, one problem with the reliance on the state capital budget process is that universities struggle to respond quickly to the needs of the students and the State in higher education. Additionally, false hope can develop if capital porjects are delayed year-after-year in the capital budget queue. The UMB Pharmacy building serves as an example of this. Nevertheless, the State provides a great resource and investment for our universities through capital projects. And as UMBC graduate Speaker Pro Tem says at groundbreaking ceremonies, "May it be on-time and underbudget!"
This case raises a question that I had for a long time, which was how are buildings actually built? And related, why does it take so long? And who pays for the buildings?
Generally, funding comes from four areas for buildings in universities:
1) state budget
2) university budget general fund balance, whether from leftover student fees or unrestricted state, federal, or grant funds
3) private partner dollars
4) bonds (loans), whether applied on the balance of the university or private partner
The USM has provided an overview of the capital budget process for the public. More information can be found at the Capital Planning page the USM website.
Universities by far prefer to recieve funding from the State for capital projects. The availability of these funds is often limited, particularly during tough fiscal times. Additionally, in higher education, buildings that are funded both through public dollars and private dollars/bonds are often easier to push through the budget process becuase of the private buy-in and initiative ( a nickel, get a dime).
State funds, though, can only be used for "core mission" facilities. Core mission facilities are those which relate directly to the academic mission of the university, such as lecture halls, academic offices, administrative offices, athletic facilities used for academic gym classes. What is not included is residential facilities, dining halls, and student unions. I talk more about this budget process in a previous post. The other three categories can be used to fund these projects.
From my view, one problem with the reliance on the state capital budget process is that universities struggle to respond quickly to the needs of the students and the State in higher education. Additionally, false hope can develop if capital porjects are delayed year-after-year in the capital budget queue. The UMB Pharmacy building serves as an example of this. Nevertheless, the State provides a great resource and investment for our universities through capital projects. And as UMBC graduate Speaker Pro Tem says at groundbreaking ceremonies, "May it be on-time and underbudget!"
8.25.2008
UMB/UMBC Shuttle
For nearly twenty years, a shuttle line has run from the downtown UMB campus to the UMBC campus in Catonsville, stopping at the Rolling Road Park and Ride in between. A variety of members from each campus use the service, including students participating in classes, research, and teaching.
Late last month, UMB considered discontinuing the funding for the program. After a number of students and community members spoke out on the issue, UMB decided to continue the service at least through the Fall 2008 semester. UMB administrators have concerns that the original purpose of the service is being neglected, because more UMB staff and faculty seem to be using the line than students.
In my view, a transportation service for students from UMB to UMBC cannot be discontinued--too many of our students right now rely on the service to enhance their academic experience, and many more should be doing the same through greater collaboration between the two institutions. Possibly, UMB and UMBC can work together to reform who can ride the shuttle and limit ridership only to students. But eliminating the service now or in four months would not be wise.
Should you have further concerns on this issue, feel free contact officials at either campus:
UMB- 410-706-6603 or 410-706-1216
UMBC- transit@umbc.edu
If interested in taking the shuttle, check out the route schedule.
What are your thoughts? Do you think your transportation fees should help support this service?
Late last month, UMB considered discontinuing the funding for the program. After a number of students and community members spoke out on the issue, UMB decided to continue the service at least through the Fall 2008 semester. UMB administrators have concerns that the original purpose of the service is being neglected, because more UMB staff and faculty seem to be using the line than students.
In my view, a transportation service for students from UMB to UMBC cannot be discontinued--too many of our students right now rely on the service to enhance their academic experience, and many more should be doing the same through greater collaboration between the two institutions. Possibly, UMB and UMBC can work together to reform who can ride the shuttle and limit ridership only to students. But eliminating the service now or in four months would not be wise.
Should you have further concerns on this issue, feel free contact officials at either campus:
UMB- 410-706-6603 or 410-706-1216
UMBC- transit@umbc.edu
If interested in taking the shuttle, check out the route schedule.
What are your thoughts? Do you think your transportation fees should help support this service?
8.22.2008
University of Maryland Medical System Shake Up
This week, University Maryland Medical System (UMMS) experienced a second phase of leadership change as Board Chairman John Erickson and nine other Directors on the 27-person Board resigned. Three weeks ago, UMMS CEO Ed Notebaert stepped down from his post.
Speaker of the House Michael Busch will attain interim-chairmanship of the Board. The Board also selected Robert Chrenchik, the current UMMS CFO, to serve as interim-CEO.
This shake-up is particularly relavent to USM students because of the close-nit relationship between UMMS and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Medical School. The UMMS CEO also serves as a Vice President of UMB. UMMS and UMB work together to bring recruit the most qualified faculty members and doctors to both practice at the hospital and teach in the medical school.
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