letter from the president

Dear Towson University Alumni, Friends and Advocates:

Thank you for your support during this legislative session. We hope the TAP newsletter's new format kept you informed and up-to-date during the 426th Maryland General Assembly session. The Towson Advocacy Program (TAP) and the TU Alumni Association seek to engage alumni and friends in the issues being addressed in Annapolis and this year there were many bills that involved higher education, making your support for Towson University more important than ever.

There were 2,874 bills submitted this session but only a fraction of those bills achieved final passage. Thanks to your support and advocacy one of the bills that did not pass was: SB 402-Review of Duplicative Academic Programs. If passed, SB402 would have had a direct impact on the thriving Towson University/University of Baltimore MBA program. Please join me in thanking the 28 senators who voted against SB402 and a special thanks to Towson's senator, Jim Brochin, for his support of the University and lead on the senate floor in voicing opposition to the bill.

As a state institution, the operating and capital budgets are paramount, and given the fiscal difficulties facing our State and Nation, the budget took center stage during this session. With the assistance of Federal stimulus dollars, Maryland passed a $13.8 billion dollar budget. The University System of Maryland received a nominal overall $5.8 million cut to general funds and a $9 million reduction in the USM's fund balance for FY2010. With the limited general fund cut and added help of the supplemental federal stimulus funds, it is anticipated that the tuition freeze will be extended for another year. The Board of Regents have final authority over tuition rates for the USM and it is likely they will vote on the issue in the coming weeks. The USM and Towson also celebrated a victory in the restoration of potential cuts to the USM Hagerstown Center which will allow Towson's nursing program to continue to thrive in Western Maryland.

Construction on campus is a key component of the Towson University 2010: Mapping the Future, our strategic plan, and this funding keeps us on track to accomplishing our goals. The State's Capital Budget includes over $169 million for USM higher education projects in FY2010 and $1.2 billion in capital construction investment over the next five years. Towson received approval for $35.7 million for the first allotment of construction funds for phase 2 of the new College of Liberal Arts building. Click here to view progress on all of Towson's capital construction projects.

Throughout this session the Governor and General Assembly have made education and higher education, in particular, a priority. We appreciate the support of the Governor, General Assembly and USM Board of Regents that enables Towson University to continue to serve the State as the "designated growth institution." In return for their confidence, we are proud to graduate over 5,000 students each year who are ready to enter the workforce.

As our legislators return to their districts, we thank them for their efforts and you for your advocacy on behalf of higher education. Let your legislators know of your interest and appreciation of their work in Annapolis. Connect with them at community and at local events and tell them about your connection to Towson University. Also, spring is also a wonderful time to re-connect with Towson, visit the campus and attend an arts, athletics or alumni event.

Thank you for your interest in and advocacy for Towson University. Please continue to assist us in telling the Towson story.

Cordially,

Robert L. Caret
President

New in the News

Read up on the latest higher education issues that have appeared in the news recently:

• Busy Last Day for Assembly -- The Baltimore Sun
• Budget deficits loom in Maryland's future-- The Baltimore Sun
• Md. Governor Signs More Than 150 Bills Into Law-- The Washington Post
• Legislative rundown: Winners and losers-- The Baltimore Sun
• Freeze or thaw? In tough times, tuition hike is a delicate issue-- The Gazette
• General Assembly Ok's $13.8B operating budget -- The Capital
• Legislative Scorecard -- The Washington Post
• House gives final approval to budget -- The Daily Record
• Alumni are supported after graduation -- The Towerlight
• Budget problems will persist past Assembly session -- The Baltimore Sun
• 2009 General Assembly Photos -- The Baltimore Sun

Towson University 2010

On April 2, Towson University President Robert Caret conducted Towson University's first-ever virtual study break with his own avatar in Second Life on the Towson University Innovation Lab Island. More than thirty students and faculty attended the one-hour event that followed the same open question-answer format of the real-life sessions and was moderated by SGA President Kristen Guy.

Students posed questions about parking, academic programs, clubs and more to Dr. Caret through live, audio and typed chat. Participants were able to log on to the session from personal computers, a reserved campus computer lab, a proxy theatre for Second Life rookies, and even their cell phones for the most advanced techies. With the large success of the event Dr. Caret plans to host another virtual study break in the future, in addition to the traditional breaks.

Towson University 2010 |  Baltimore Sun "Second Life" article

Legislative Bills

Budget Update:

The General Assembly passed a $13.8 billion budget for the State of Maryland. Given the state of the economy, the Governor's and General Assembly's budget support for higher education in Maryland speaks volumes. The FY2010 USM operating budget received a $5.8 million general fund cut and a reduction of $9 million from the FY2010 fund balance.

The Joint Chairman's report has language directing the USM to:

1. Develop a policy for displaying or screening materials and films that are defined as obscene by the US Supreme Court for purely entertainment reasons.
2. Submit a report examining the status of graduate assistants and adjunct faculty.
3. Convene a workgroup to study the fiscal and programmatic viability of the USM at Hagerstown
4. Provide an annual faculty workload report.

The USM received approval for over $169 million in FY2010 capital budget funds. Towson University received $37.5 million for construction funds for phase 2 of the College of Liberal Arts Complex. When completed the complex will house 293,000 gross square feet of classroom, research, laboratory, student study and office space.

2009 Legislative Bills and Information

Below is a list of Legislation Awaiting Governor O'Malley's signature.

State Employees:

• SB 81 State Personnel - Maryland Whistleblower Law - Confidentiality of Information Obtained During Investigations of Complaints.
• SB 592 State Retirement and Pension System - Compliance with Federal Tax Provisions.
• SB 264 State Employees - Collective Bargaining - Negotiations - "The Fair Share Act."

Higher Education/Scholarships/Textbooks:

• HB 1435 Higher Education - Enforcement Powers of Maryland Higher Education Commission and Secretary of Higher Education.
• HB 710 / SB 802 Higher Education - Edward T. Conroy Tuition Waiver Program - Establishment.
• SB 373 Higher Education - Maryland National Guard Members - Nonresident Tuition Exemption.
• HB 1404 Higher Education - Children of Fallen State of Local Public Safety Employees - Exemption from Nonresident Tuition.
• HB 1465 Maryland National Guard Tuition Assistance Program.
• SB 183 / HB 85 College Textbook Competition and Affordability Act of 2009.
• HB 1403 State Plan for Higher Education Quadrennial Review - Reporting Date 2009.
• HB 538 / SB 372 Foster Care - Tuition Exemption - Expanded Eligibility.

Miscellaneous:

• HB 200 / SB 230 Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act. Signed by Governor O'Malley.
• SB 689 Education - Study Group on Expanding Enrollment Options for High School Students.
• HB 173 / SB 247 Health Occupations - Maryland Athletic Trainers Act.
• SB 278 / HB 315 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009.
  

For more bill information, please click here.