Regents Unveil Comprehensive

Performance Indicators for University System of Maryland

BALTIMORE, Md. (December 9, 2005) — The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents at its meeting today unveiled a series of performance measures to enable the USM community to readily assess progress of the system and its 13 individual institutions. Called "Dashboard Indicators," the measures are part of the board's continuing efforts to enhance USM accountability to its students and to the state.

"In accepting the Dashboard Indicators today, the board is taking a major step in demonstrating the system's progress as well as highlighting areas in which improvement is needed," said David Nevins, chair of the USM board. "This reference will help inform our decisions as we work to move the system forward in the years ahead."

Regent Clifford Kendall chairs the regents' workgroup that spearheaded the Dashboard Indicators project. Kendall said, "While we are kept informed of individual measures from time to time, this marks the first time that we have identified, scored, and housed a comprehensive inventory of selected measures in one place. It will be extremely helpful."

In addition to Kendall, Regents Richard Hug, Marvin Mandel, and James Rosapepe are members of the workgroup. The regents worked closely with USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan and his staff to develop the indicators. The presidents of the USM institutions also provided significant input.

The indicators are categorized according to USM's strategic priorities: national eminence; access and academic success; economic development; workforce development; stewardship; and effectiveness and efficiency. Each indicator is color-coded to communicate progress, status quo, or that improvement is needed.

Among the core dashboard indicators for many of the system institutions are average SAT scores; graduation, retention, and freshmen acceptance rates; minorities as percentage of total undergraduates; total R&D expenditure per full-time faculty; facilities utilization; and teaching workload.

In addition, there are indicators only for specific institutions. For example, the percentage of graduates who pass the bar exam on initial attempt is an indicator for the two USM institutions with law schools—University of Maryland, Baltimore and University of Baltimore. And as would be expected, the teaching licensure passing rate is an indicator for only those USM institutions that prepare teachers.

The system office will present an annual report on the status of the indicators. The USM Board of Regents and leadership will use the data not only as assessment tools, but also to inform budgetary and program decisions.

Contact: Anne Moultrie

301.445.2722
E-mail: amoultrie@usmd.edu