ADELPHI, Md. (December 3, 2004) — The Finance Committee of the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents is scheduled to convene at 1:30 pm Thursday, December 9. The meeting will be in the ground-floor conference room of the Health Sciences Facility II, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). The facility is at the corner of Lombard and Penn Streets.

Following are the action items on Thursday's agenda.

• The University of Maryland, Baltimore, requests approval to award a contract for system-wide acquisition of scientific supplies and equipment for several USM institutions, including UMB; University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP); and University of Maryland, Baltimore County. This procurement represents collaboration by a consortium of USM procurement officers who have combined their institutions' needs into one competitive solicitation to save money.

• Towson University requests approval 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. This project will result in greater pedestrian safety at and near the intersection of Towsontown Boulevard and Charles Street.

• UMCP requests approval to increase funding for its Biosciences Research Building from $68.66 million to $69.36 million. The building is under construction.

In addition, the Finance Committee will discuss the report of the USM Task Force on Financial Aid. USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan appointed the task force to develop recommendations to help ensure affordable access to academic programs. Among the recommendations is increasing institutional grants to decrease the debt burden for undergraduate students, particularly those in the highest need range. The report also recommends directing USM institutions to increase the proportion of institutional aid allocated to need-based programs. Access the task force's full report at: /usm/chancellor/specialdocs/

The board's Education Policy Committee accepted the Financial Aid Task Force recommendations at its November 16 meeting. The full board will consider accepting the report at its meeting scheduled for Friday, December 10.

Also on the agenda for Thursday's Finance Committee meeting is the quarterly review of the university system's capital improvement projects.

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.

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