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USMBriefs -- University System of Maryland

University System of Maryland

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University System of Maryland

MAY 2005

The Latest Boost
to Region's Workforce

There's a good chance that many of the teachers, nurses, and pharmacists in your local community are alumni of one of the University System of Maryland's (USM) 11 degree-granting institutions. This spring, more than 20,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students graduated from USM universities. Many are joining our region's workforce as accountants, computer scientists, educators, health-care providers, performing artists, public servants, researchers, and other professionals. Others will study for advanced degrees. Please join us in congratulating our newest graduating class.


2005 Session Brings Increase
in State Support, Two New Regents

The Maryland General Assembly approved Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s proposed six-percent increase in general funds for USM for fiscal year 2006, the system's first increase in state funding since FY 2002. The FY 2006 state funding totals some $800 million, part of the 13-institution system's $3.3-billion operating budget.

"This marks the beginning of the state's reinvestment in higher education after some very difficult years," said William E. Kirwan, USM chancellor. "Thanks to the increase in state funding, USM can begin to moderate its tuition increases (less than six percent for FY 2006).

"The increase also underscores the goals shared by the governor, the legislators, and USM to provide affordable access to excellent higher education opportunities, to support leading-edge research, and to advance the state's quality of life. We look forward to working with Gov. Ehrlich and the General Assembly to develop long-term, sustainable funding strategies."

In addition, the legislators approved the governor's appointment of two new members to the USM Board of Regents: the Honorable Francis X. Kelly, chairman and CEO of Kelly & Associates Insurance Group and a member of the Maryland Senate from 1979 to 1990; and Joel Wilcher, an undergraduate business student at the University of Maryland, College Park. They will replace the Honorable Joseph D. Tydings and Student Regent Jeremy Horine of Towson University, whose terms end June 30. Reappointed to the board was Richard Hug.


USM Well Represented Among
Maryland's Top 100 Women

Eight professionals from USM institutions are among Maryland's Top 100 Women for 2005. Established in 1996 by The Daily Record, the annual award program recognizes the outstanding achievements of professional women who reside or work in Maryland and who are making a significant impact on the state.

Congratulations to the USM representatives who made the grade this year: Janet Dudley-Eshbach, president of Salisbury University; Jami Rene Grant, director of forensic studies, University of Baltimore; Sandra Nix Harriman, director of corporate and foundation relations, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Margaret Hayes, director of student educational services & outreach, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.

Also, Amini Johari-Courts, professor of theatre & speech, Coppin State University; Shohreh Afagh Kaynama, dean of the College of Business & Economics, Towson University; Eleanor Walker, professor of nursing and special assistant to the president, Bowie State University; and Susan M. Wozenski, vice chair, Department of Family & Community Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing.
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Helping Companies
Bring Products to Market

Thanks to $325,000 from the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), seven tech start-ups in Maryland will work with USM institutions to help advance the companies' technologies. TEDCO is a specialized technology transfer arm of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

With the new funding, 4Cyte Therapeutics will work with University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Gentag, LLC; LaserLink Technology; Pervasive Technology Engineering; Solvern Innovations; and Squarespace will work with the University of Maryland, College Park. Minkon Biotechnologies will collaborate with the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
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Keeping Track of E&E
As part of its Effectiveness and Efficiency Program (E&E), the USM Board of Regents earlier this year approved three policies to enable undergraduates to accelerate their time to degree. Implementation of these policies will help students and their families save money and help USM meet its increasing enrollment demand.

Under the leadership of the regents, USM launched E&E last fall to increase the system's enrollment capacity, reduce operational costs, and fund quality.
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Let Us Hear From You
We appreciate your responses to the first issue of USMBriefs, e-mailed in February. We plan to distribute USMBriefs about four times a year to share how the 13-institution system provides quality, access, and affordability for students and the State of Maryland. Please continue to send us your feedback: usmbriefs-owner@usmd.edu.


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University System of Maryland
3300 Metzerott Road,Adelphi, MD 20783, USA 301.445.2756

University System of Maryland
3300 Metzerott Road
Adelphi, MD 20783-1690, USA
301.445.2740