Board of Regents Approves Tuition Waiver for New Baltimore County Plant


The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents approved a waiver of the residency requirements for in-state tuition rates for employees relocating to the new General Motors Allison Transmission Plant in White Marsh in Baltimore County. The decision was made during the Board's regular meeting today.

"The waiver is designed to give these GM employees who are moving to Maryland the opportunity to take advantage of our colleges and universities as quickly as possible," said USM Chancellor Donald N. Langenberg. "The plain fact is, it is a difficult thing to relocate with your company, and this is our way of providing an incentive for a small group of highly attractive employees."

The waiver, which was requested by the company via the state Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), will apply only to those GM Allison Transmission employees who relocate to Maryland. According to DBED, as many as 50 salaried employees are eligible.

In other action, the Board:

  • approved Systemwide policies on exempt pay and procurement. The new policies are a requirement of Senate Bill 682, the System's governance bill which was signed into law in July.
  • approved recommendations of the USM institutions' Boards of Visitors. Each year the Boards are required by law to report on the needs of their respective institutions; the USM-assessed results become the basis for the System's legislative strategy. The recommendations focus on items such as capital improvements, mission statements, and staffing needs.
  • approved a change to the USM's policy on sexual assault, designed to meet the requirements of the federal Clery Act, originally known as the Campus Security Act. The Clery Act requires that institutions report criminal acts, including sexual assault, on a calendar-year basis every October. The USM had previously reported its incidents of sexual assault on an annual basis each August.
  • approved an interim 10-year capital plan, also as a result of SB 682.
The Board also heard reports on minority enrollment and retention, System investment strategies, the status of the USM's institutional agricultural programs, and activity in the Minority Business Enterprise. The Board also recognized the exemplary service of Harry R. Hughes, who served as a Regent from 1995 to July of this year. It also welcomed Nina R. Houghton, who was recently chosen by Gov. Parris Glendening to succeed Gov. Hughes.

Contact:

Chris Hart
Phone: 301/445-2739
Pager: 301/507-2316
E-mail: chart@usmh.usmd.edu