Proposed Cutbacks Challenge UMBC

UMBC is on the move. New buildings rising on the campus--The Commons, additional residence halls, the Information Technology/Engineering and Public Policy buildings--are the most visible markers of the campus's upward momentum. This physical growth mirrors rapid development in other areas. Along with climbing enrollments and an impressive $75.5-million increase in research grants and contracts since 1990, UMBC's national reputation is growing. The campus's ranking for federally funded research by the National Science Foundation has risen dramatically, from 200 in 1996 to 153 today, and Newsweek recently named UMBC one of the nation's 12 "hot schools."

Along with climbing enrollments and increasing grants and contracts, state funding has played a key role in UMBC's success. Since the mid-1990s, under Governor Parris Glendening's administration, funding for the university increased annually. This year, however, state funding will decrease as the result of Maryland's $1.4-billion budget deficit. In fact, the proposed budget plan calls for a 3.5 percent reduction in the University System of Maryland (USM) general funds budget. UMBC's share of this cut will be approximately $3 million.

"When you're growing, as in the case of UMBC, opening new buildings and having more students enroll, it's very challenging to find places to reduce the budget," says Mark Behm, UMBC's vice president for administration and finance.

A weak economy and a volatile stock market are key factors in the significant decrease in revenue in Maryland and beyond. This is a national phenomenon, according to Behm. Other factors placing increased demands on higher education include a growing number of college-bound students, more students enrolling in graduate school to gain an edge in a difficult job market and the fact that more students are staying in-state and choosing public institutions. (In 2002, UMBC's total enrollment was 11,711, up from 9,863 in fall 1997.)

Advocates for higher education in Maryland want to make clear to legislators that funding doesn't just benefit the universities, but the economy as a whole. "It's higher education that provides the skilled workforce and brings in research dollars that help develop new technology to be transferred to industry--particularly in this region," Behm says.

Karen Johnson, political science '85, who serves as secretary of higher education for the state of Maryland, agrees that universities contribute much to the economy and need to promote themselves to legislators. "Unfortunately, in tough economic times, higher education is one of the first things that gets cut," she says. "But for every dollar you invest in higher education, there are dollars returned to the economy."

In fact, while 10 years ago about 50 percent of UMBC's budget came from state funds, now the university generates $3 on its own for every $1 of state support.

Because of the current economic climate, USM is focusing this year's legislative program on "maintaining the momentum." All the schools, including UMBC, will be working together to educate the newly elected lawmakers and Governor Robert Ehrlich about the importance of continuing support for public higher education in Maryland. "Many of our schools have risen in the national rankings," says Shirley Bigley, general counsel for UMBC. "We need to maintain that momentum toward national eminence and excellence."

Alumni can help strengthen the university's visibility by attending the alumni association's annual reception in Annapolis on Feb. 20. Launched four years ago by Jack Neil, American studies and political science '77, a lobbyist and political consultant for more than a decade, the goal of the reception is to highlight UMBC's successes while providing a forum for students, alumni, parents and faculty to mingle with legislators.

"The reception is an unbelievable networking opportunity," says Neil, who also founded the alumni association's Public Policy Forum. "The number of legislators who attend is amazing." The event typically draws between 300-400 attendees. "That's definitely a tribute to President Hrabowski and his team and the success of our alumni who work in various policy positions," he adds.

Neil says that the recognition and respect legislators associate with UMBC--due in part to the annual reception--is measurable. "When you walk into the Maryland General Assembly, it's unbelievable the amount of respect UMBC is given," he says.

At the Annapolis reception, Bigley makes a point of introducing students and alumni from such areas as Prince George's County and the Eastern Shore to their elected officials so that legislators see the connection between UMBC and their districts. "This helps legislators see UMBC as an incubator for future leaders in their communities," she says.

Successful UMBC alumni--business owners, teachers, scientists, doctors, lawyers and community activists, to name just a few--are evidence that UMBC is a good investment for the state. "The legislators need to hear first hand about the faculty and programs that UMBC offers students and about the value of a UMBC education," Bigley says. "Alumni need to show them the return on their investment."

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