 5 Questions With...
Sarah Elfreth
USM Board of Regents, Student Regent
Q: How do you engage the student population that you represent on the Board of Regents?
A: There are roughly 148,000 students in the USM so I don't kid myself by thinking I can communicate with every one of them. Instead, I've tried to reach out to as many students as possible by letting them know that there is a Board and that they are represented by a fellow student. I also work with the System's Student Council and each institution's student government to gauge student sentiment on issues ranging from the tuition freeze to the Board's strategic plan for the next ten years. I also try to work with campus newspapers by either writing short pieces or simply ensuring they are up to date on Board activities.
Q: What do you think about the tuition freeze over the last four years and the likelihood of an increase?
A: Governor O'Malley's commitment to college affordability over the past four years has been tremendous - Maryland students and families have benefited time and time again from this measure. That being said, I think that many students understand the precarious situation higher education finds itself in, not only in Maryland but around the country. We see our professors and staff members at our universities take multiple furlough days, we watch as a class sizes grow and course offerings diminish. The modest tuition increase of 3% that the Governor has proposed in January is one way students can share the burden during this difficult economic time. Personally, I believe there should be less concentration on short-term fixes like tuition freezes and more energy spent on finding solutions for sustainably funding higher education in Maryland.
Q: What key issues have risen this year on the Board?
A: The operating budget is always a major issue, and in these difficult fiscal times striking a balance between quality, access, and affordability is always a challenge. Thankfully, Maryland has been more fortunate than other states in maintaining this delicate equilibrium. Ensuring that students in the future receive the same, if not better, quality of education is of utmost priority.
Q: What do you enjoy most in your role as a Student Regent?
A: There is nothing I enjoy more than traveling and speaking with students (I certainly enjoy it more than discussing $100 plus million in budget cuts). Sitting down with students, listening to their issues, and seeing how thankful they are just to be heard seems to make all of the difficult decisions worthwhile. I also enjoy spending time and learning from other Board members. I have matured by about ten years by sitting on the Board and learning from those Board members who have been generous enough to take me under their wing.
Q: How have you found time to balance being a student and a Regent?
A: Other Board members, System staff, and especially the Towson community have all been extremely supportive and understanding of the nuances of my role. I've learned that in order to be most effective I had to gain the respect of my fellow Board members. I can't very well go into a meeting and stomp my feet about a sensitive issue, it is really a give and take. With the responsibility of the Board I have surrendered the luxury of being a normal, 21-year old student in their last year of college, but at the same time I've gained an indelible experience at a very young age. Similarly, Board members understand that I serve a unique purpose, to represent the voice and concerns of students, and are sensitive of the dual role I play.
Culminating the 2010 Plan
Since President Caret's 2007 signing of the American College and University President's Climate Commitment, Towson University's green initiatives have increased awareness and changed behavior across campus to Go Green with remarkable results. Benefiting from our 3,000 single-stream RecycleALL receptacles across campus, Towson placed first in the State in RecycleMania, the 2009 recycling competition. The University is committed to achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, a nationally-recognized sustainability rating system, for all future campus buildings beginning with the new College of Liberal Arts building. Alternative transportation such as the recently launched off-campus shuttle program enjoys a booming ridership of more than 25,000 rides per month and the new university Zipcars, provide low-cost, short-term car rentals to students, faculty, and staff.
2010 Plan | Report Card | Guiding Principles
New in the News 
Read up on the latest higher education issues that have appeared in the news recently:
 Legislative Bills
The following bills have been introduced to the legislature recently:
- HB 16 Sales and Use Tax - Exemption - University and College Textbooks. Assigned to Ways and Means. Hearing 2/3/10 at 1:00 pm.
- HB 151 / SB 141 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2010. Assigned to Appropriations.
- HB 155 Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award - Qualifications - Study Abroad Programs. Assigned to House Ways and Means. Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 pm.
- HB 348 / SB 334 Public Institutions of Higher Education - New Design and Substantial Exterior Modification - Notice and Consultation. Assigned to House Appropriations. Hearing 2/9/10 at 2:00 pm.
- HB 257 Evidence - Journalist's Testimonial Privileges - Student. Assigned to House Judiciary. Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 pm.
- HB 466 / SB 286 Governor's P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland. Assigned to House Ways and Means.
- SB 283 / HB 470 Higher Education Investment Fun - Tuition Stabilization and Funding. Assigned to Senate Budget and Taxation. Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 pm.
- SB 311 Chesapeake Conservation Corps. Assigned to Senate EHEA.
For more bill information, please click here.
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