The US economy is struggling amidst a mortgage and credit crisis. Banks and lenders are failing left and right. And Congress has been contemplating a bailout package of $700 billion. To say the least, times are uncertain and and the economy is on the rocks.
But what does this mean for college students and our way of life? I am no finance expert, but my understanding of the issue is that we must act to save our banks. Our way of life relies upon credit for funding mortgages, small businesses, cars, and education. So, if the economy falters and credit is limited, our way of life could significantly change.
Of course, state support for our institutions will inevitably be at risk with advances in the credit crisis. Many of our buildings are funded through bonds which rely on credit. And, our state support for tuition and operating budget relies on tax receipts, which could be significantly affected with a failed economy.
I have provided a few resources for you to review the current proposal:
- Congress set to revise proposal
- C-Span with Coverage of Fiscal News
- Contact your legislator to let them know your thoughts
What are your thoughts on the credit crisis? How has it affected you? What are your thoughts on the $700 billion bailout?
9.25.2008
Morgan State President Announces Retirement
After days of anticipation and speculation, President of Morgan State University, Earl Richardson, announced his retirement. See the Sun Article to learn more.
Dr. Richardson has served at the helm of Morgan for 24 years and will officially step down December 31, 2009. His tenure has been marked by strong growth for the university. It has also been marked by some controversy with surrounding schools, such as Towson and UMBC, as it fought the "unnecessary duplication" of programs as outlined in US v. Fordice. Dr. Richardson has argued for and successfully pursued increased and appropriate funding for the historically black institution.
Undoubtedly, his successor will have big shoes to fill in coming years.
Dr. Richardson has served at the helm of Morgan for 24 years and will officially step down December 31, 2009. His tenure has been marked by strong growth for the university. It has also been marked by some controversy with surrounding schools, such as Towson and UMBC, as it fought the "unnecessary duplication" of programs as outlined in US v. Fordice. Dr. Richardson has argued for and successfully pursued increased and appropriate funding for the historically black institution.
Undoubtedly, his successor will have big shoes to fill in coming years.
9.24.2008
Univ. Senate to debate Good Samaritan policy this year - News
Univ. Senate to debate Good Samaritan policy this year - News
This past Spring, students at University of Maryland, College Park voted with 94% support in favor of a "Good Samaritan Law" where students would be afforded amnesty if calling emergency services to get friends and peers necessary help who appear to be dangerously intoxicated.
What do you think? Should the University Senate at UMCP endorse this? Is this a policy that other system schools should consider?
This past Spring, students at University of Maryland, College Park voted with 94% support in favor of a "Good Samaritan Law" where students would be afforded amnesty if calling emergency services to get friends and peers necessary help who appear to be dangerously intoxicated.
What do you think? Should the University Senate at UMCP endorse this? Is this a policy that other system schools should consider?
The College Sustainability Report Card
A new tool has been created to report on steps made by universities to become environmentally sustainable. Check out the webiste.
9.23.2008
Maryland Colleges and Univeristies Recognized for Green Efforts!
Hey All!
If you didn't catch The Baltimore Sun's "b" free daily... (think The Washington Post's Express) take a look! It outlines a lot of work done around MD schools with sustainability efforts.
The feature also talks about work done specifically with Towson Energy Activists, Maryland Student Climate Coalition and the Powervote campaign.
Big MD climate buzz is spreading and schools are looking to the USM for example! Let's continue leading the east coast in sustainability initiatives!
If you didn't catch The Baltimore Sun's "b" free daily... (think The Washington Post's Express) take a look! It outlines a lot of work done around MD schools with sustainability efforts.
The feature also talks about work done specifically with Towson Energy Activists, Maryland Student Climate Coalition and the Powervote campaign.
Big MD climate buzz is spreading and schools are looking to the USM for example! Let's continue leading the east coast in sustainability initiatives!
9.22.2008
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
"I've been following the developments of the ultra-secret Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement since this document leaked several months ago. This treaty represents an assemblage of the world's wealthiest countries getting together to fight a rampant problem - not public health, not rogue states, not even terrorism, but copyright infringement.
It has become clear that the term counterfeiting will not be restricted to physical goods, where cheap, inferior reproductions could cause harm to the unwitting end user, but instead expanded to target "internet distribution." To quote Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) counsel David Fewer,
This agreement is slated to be fast-tracked with a goal of having it signed by the end of this year. Unfortunately, the entire process has remained shrouded in mystery with little public input on an issue that will assuredly affect them. It's time to end these kinds of one-sided debates.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has a very informative page on the treaty as well as a means of contacting your senator - urge them to demand that this treaty be brought into the light so we can judge its contents."
[via Zwybak!]
It has become clear that the term counterfeiting will not be restricted to physical goods, where cheap, inferior reproductions could cause harm to the unwitting end user, but instead expanded to target "internet distribution." To quote Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) counsel David Fewer,
“If Hollywood could order intellectual property laws for Christmas, what would they look like? This is pretty close.”
This agreement is slated to be fast-tracked with a goal of having it signed by the end of this year. Unfortunately, the entire process has remained shrouded in mystery with little public input on an issue that will assuredly affect them. It's time to end these kinds of one-sided debates.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has a very informative page on the treaty as well as a means of contacting your senator - urge them to demand that this treaty be brought into the light so we can judge its contents."
[via Zwybak!]
Looking Forward in higher education...budget cuts
I spent two days last week participating in a retreat of the Board of Regents. We reviewed strategic objectives for each campus and heard from Presidents on how they would handle budget cuts in Fiscal Year 09 (this current year) and FY10. We asked Presidents to prepare statements on a 2% FY09 base cute and a 3% FY10 cut. The most popular cuts that we heard were:
- maintaining the hiring freeze
- further backlogging deferred maintenance
- financial aid for students.
We asked the Presidents to prepare these numbers in expectation of budget cuts in the current year because of the mid-year estimated budget shortfalls (see previous entry). It is estimated that the Governor will cut just over $220 million this year, and because higher education is such a large share of the discretionary budget, we expected to see cuts.
Since the retreat, we have heard from the Governor's office that we should expect to see a base budget cut of $10 million and a cut from our fund balance reserve of $20 million. While we will see a total of $30 million in cuts this year, the lasting effect on the budget will only be a cut of $10 million from each year out.
Of course, this budget situation is a tale of two cities. The Governor has worked very hard to support higher education, and planned to fund a tuition freeze for undergraduate in-state students at the cost of $16 million and fully funded the rest of the operating budget and capital projects. On the other hand, the system did not raise tuition because the Governor planned to fund the difference; but now with budget cuts, those dollars will now not come to our institutions.
Of course, things will be difficult over the coming months and couple years. A partnership with the Governor's Office is critical to maintaining as much funding as possible for education. Governor O'Malley been very supportive in the past and I do not doubt that he will be in the future.
- maintaining the hiring freeze
- further backlogging deferred maintenance
- financial aid for students.
We asked the Presidents to prepare these numbers in expectation of budget cuts in the current year because of the mid-year estimated budget shortfalls (see previous entry). It is estimated that the Governor will cut just over $220 million this year, and because higher education is such a large share of the discretionary budget, we expected to see cuts.
Since the retreat, we have heard from the Governor's office that we should expect to see a base budget cut of $10 million and a cut from our fund balance reserve of $20 million. While we will see a total of $30 million in cuts this year, the lasting effect on the budget will only be a cut of $10 million from each year out.
Of course, this budget situation is a tale of two cities. The Governor has worked very hard to support higher education, and planned to fund a tuition freeze for undergraduate in-state students at the cost of $16 million and fully funded the rest of the operating budget and capital projects. On the other hand, the system did not raise tuition because the Governor planned to fund the difference; but now with budget cuts, those dollars will now not come to our institutions.
Of course, things will be difficult over the coming months and couple years. A partnership with the Governor's Office is critical to maintaining as much funding as possible for education. Governor O'Malley been very supportive in the past and I do not doubt that he will be in the future.
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!"
Student Voting
Hello All -
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Devin and I am a former graduate student at UMCP and former Chair of the University System Student Council. I wanted to post in response to the questions from Towson since I am currently working at my alma mater as the Coordinator for TerpsVote - the campus wide initiative to register, inform and support student voters.
We have a number of great things going on and I encourage you to check out our website at www.terpsvote.umd.edu to learn more about what we are doing, read our FAQs about student voting and get ideas for things you can do on your campus. Also, please feel free to email me at ellisd@umd.edu if you have other questions or want more information.
Devin
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Devin and I am a former graduate student at UMCP and former Chair of the University System Student Council. I wanted to post in response to the questions from Towson since I am currently working at my alma mater as the Coordinator for TerpsVote - the campus wide initiative to register, inform and support student voters.
We have a number of great things going on and I encourage you to check out our website at www.terpsvote.umd.edu to learn more about what we are doing, read our FAQs about student voting and get ideas for things you can do on your campus. Also, please feel free to email me at ellisd@umd.edu if you have other questions or want more information.
Devin
9.16.2008
Student Voting Rights - Looking for Feedback/Input
As a part of Towson's 2009 Legislative Agenda I've been charged with researching voting rights issues as they pertain to students both across the country and for Maryland institutions specifically.
The main points I'm looking into are (1) what policies do different schools have concerning student voting, (2) are there polling places actually on campus or is there some form of transportation provided to sites for students registered using their on-campus addresses, (3) is there any policy that excuses students from class for voting or makes it clear that there it isn't an excused absence, and in general any other information concerning students attending Maryland schools.
I've tried combing through many USM schools' websites and haven't found much. If everyone could make an inquiry at their schools concerning these issues for me, it would be greatly appreciated.
The main points I'm looking into are (1) what policies do different schools have concerning student voting, (2) are there polling places actually on campus or is there some form of transportation provided to sites for students registered using their on-campus addresses, (3) is there any policy that excuses students from class for voting or makes it clear that there it isn't an excused absence, and in general any other information concerning students attending Maryland schools.
I've tried combing through many USM schools' websites and haven't found much. If everyone could make an inquiry at their schools concerning these issues for me, it would be greatly appreciated.
USM Imposes Hiring Freezes
In response the the impending budget cuts, the USM has imposed a hiring freeze across all USM institutions as per a memo sent to all state institutions Thursday afternoon.
How are these measures to combat the declining USM budget going to affect designated growth institutions like Towson University who plans to increase the next few years of freshman classes by 700 students. Can schools that are on track with a growth plan, increasing the student body an building new facilities survive these freezes if we cannot hire staff and faculty to teach more classes?
Read Article Here
How are these measures to combat the declining USM budget going to affect designated growth institutions like Towson University who plans to increase the next few years of freshman classes by 700 students. Can schools that are on track with a growth plan, increasing the student body an building new facilities survive these freezes if we cannot hire staff and faculty to teach more classes?
Read Article Here
9.15.2008
Way2GoMD
This past Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to attend the launching of the "Way2Go Maryland" Campaign designed to increase outreach to middle school students about college. As some may know, i am particularly passionate about this program because of my future plans to teach middle school in Baltimore City.
The launch of the campaign was held at the Maryland Science Center. After the initial ceremony, lunch and a college fair was held for the families and students in attendance from all over Baltimore City. I had the opportunity to speak with a number of students and families and was inspired by their persistence and dedication to pursue higher education. I know that I often take for granted the opportunities that I was presented with.
In coming months, the program will reach out to middle school students and their families both about the opportunities for college and the steps that need to be taken starting in middle school to help prepare students for higher education. The system will be working with its co-sponsor, ATK, and community groups to connect.
In coming weeks, I will be sure to share with you upcoming opportunities to participate in this project. I am inspired to share the opportunity that I have been afforded and I hope you share the same sentiment.
The launch of the campaign was held at the Maryland Science Center. After the initial ceremony, lunch and a college fair was held for the families and students in attendance from all over Baltimore City. I had the opportunity to speak with a number of students and families and was inspired by their persistence and dedication to pursue higher education. I know that I often take for granted the opportunities that I was presented with.
In coming months, the program will reach out to middle school students and their families both about the opportunities for college and the steps that need to be taken starting in middle school to help prepare students for higher education. The system will be working with its co-sponsor, ATK, and community groups to connect.
In coming weeks, I will be sure to share with you upcoming opportunities to participate in this project. I am inspired to share the opportunity that I have been afforded and I hope you share the same sentiment.
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