UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND

Kirwan to Present Updated USM Strategic Plan to Regents

Adelphi, MD - To meet new economic, enrollment, and demographic challenges and opportunities, William E. Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland (USM), has updated the system's strategic plan. Titled The USM in 2010, the plan reflects the diversity of the USM institutions and articulates the system's strategies and tactics to address the state's expectations of its public higher education system.

Kirwan will present the plan at the USM Board of Regents meeting scheduled to begin at 10:30 am Friday, February 13, at the University of Baltimore. It will be in Room BC 003 of the Thumel Business Center.

In updating the plan, Kirwan incorporated input from a wide variety of constituents, including the regents, presidents and other representatives from USM institutions, and members of the system's councils of faculty, staff, and students. The strategic goals for the USM as discussed in the plan are to:

  • meet the needs of Maryland's changing and expanding educational environment and its growing and increasingly diverse student population;
  • position the state as a national leader in science and technology, the arts and humanities, and the professions; advance the state's and the nation's economic growth, sustainable development, and international competitiveness;
  • achieve national eminence in research, scholarship, teaching, and service, as mandated in the system's founding legislation;
  • be widely recognized for effective and efficient stewardship of its resources.

Following discussion of the strategic plan, the regents are expected to vote on its approval.

In addition, the board will consider two new program proposals. One is for a doctoral program in applied information technology at Towson University. The program is designed to meet the demand of IT professionals who want to expand their knowledge base and technical skills while working full-time.

The second proposal is for a master's program and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Jewish Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, to offer students broad, interdisciplinary graduate-level training in the field.

Other action items include a request to increase the budget for the Stamp Student Union renovation and addition at the University of Maryland, College Park, by $2.5 million for a total authorization of $57,550,000. If approved, the university will draw the additional funds from its Union Facilities Renewal Plan Account.

The board also will consider approval of the 2003-2013 Facilities Master Plan for Salisbury University and a new dining services contract for Frostburg State University.

Full agendas and background information will be available at Friday's meeting. Sign language interpreters and/or other appropriate accommodations for eligible individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Please call 301.445.2756 (voice) or 301.314.7683 (TTY/ITT) to make special arrangements.

Contact: Anne Moultrie

Phone: 301/445-2722
E-mail: amoultrie@usmd.edu