Chancellor Kirwan Thanks Governor Ehrlich for Extraordinary Investment in Higher Education

ADELPHI, Md. (March 16, 2006) – University System of Maryland (USM) Chancellor William E. Kirwan publicly thanked Governor Robert Ehrlich, Jr. today for the additional funding allocated to higher education in the governor's FY 2007 supplemental budget.

"In making the announcement today, Governor Ehrlich reaffirmed his commitment to higher education," said Chancellor Kirwan. "The University System of Maryland is profoundly grateful for the investment from both Governor Ehrlich and the General Assembly. In particular, we are most appreciative of the additional investments the Governor announced today in his supplemental budget request. The level of support we are receiving will return enormous dividends to the state in terms of expanded access to higher education, higher quality of our institutions and lower cost to our students."

Highlights from the governor's supplemental budget include:

• $18.1 million from health care savings to enable tuition for full-time, in-state undergraduates at the University System to remain at 2006 levels;
• $10 million for the University of Maryland, College Park Journalism School;
• $6.3 million for the Health and Human Services Building at Coppin State University;
• $2.7 million for property acquisition at Frostburg State University;
• $3.9 million to enhance Bowie State University;
• $5.6 million for a Nurse Support Program at Maryland's higher education institutions to address the nursing shortage.

"Thanks to the governor and the legislature, we will continue to advance the priorities of the University System of Maryland and the state: providing affordable, high-quality education to our students, enhancing our historically black institutions, meeting the state's economic development and workforce needs, and expanding the system's vital role as an economic engine for the state," said the chancellor.

Contact: Liz O'Neill
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: loneill@usmd.edu