ADELPHI, Md. (December 7, 2004) — The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents will consider recommendations to address students' rising debt from higher education loans and to fund more need-based financial aid. The board will discuss these and related recommendations at its meeting scheduled to begin at 9 am Friday, December 10. The meeting will be on the seventh floor of the Kuhn Library at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

The proposals come from the statewide Task Force on Financial Aid. USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan appointed the group to develop recommendations focused on furthering university system efforts to ensure students' affordable access to academic programs. Chaired by Nancy Kopp, State of Maryland Treasurer, the task force included regents; presidents, other administrators, and students from USM institutions; Maryland Higher Education Commission staff members; and two state legislators, Sen. P.J. Hogan and Del. James. E. Proctor Jr.

To review all of the task force recommendations, access the full report at: /usm/chancellor/specialdocs/

Also at Friday's meeting, the board will present the 2004 Regents' Staff Awards, honoring staff members who have made exceptional contributions to their university communities. Each award includes a $1,000 prize funded by the institutions and the University System of Maryland Foundation. Following are the awards and honorees.

• Exceptional Contribution to the Institution: Kathy Sutphin, coordinator of special projects, UMBC;

• Exceptional Contribution to the Institution: Priscilla Redding, executive assistant in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES);

• Outstanding Service to Students: Elizabeth Shearn, math learning specialist, University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP);
• Outstanding Service to Students: Wallace Berry, housekeeper, Frostburg State University;

• Extraordinary Public Service: Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of student activities and associate director of Stamp Student Union and Campus Programs, UMCP;

• Extraordinary Public Service: Pat Musick, executive assistant in the Graduate School of Management and Technology, University of Maryland University College (UMUC).

In other business, the board will consider proposals for an MBA program offered jointly by the University of Baltimore and Towson University; a Master of Engineering and Public Policy at UMCP; a Global MBA, a collaboration between UMUC and other universities around the world; a Master of Science in Financial Management and Information Systems at UMUC; and the creation of a School for Health Professions at UMES.

The board also is scheduled to take action on the following:

• A University of Maryland, Baltimore, contract proposal for system-wide acquisition of scientific supplies and equipment for several USM institutions;

• Towson University's request to dedicate and convey to Baltimore County two parcels of land for constructing sidewalks and relocating guardrails along the northern edge of the university's campus;

• UMCP's request to increase funding for its Biosciences Research Building from $68.66 million to $69.36 million.

Full agendas and background information will be available at the 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