USM Student Headcount Number Reaches
Highest Level in System History
Preliminary Fall 1999 enrollment figures for the
University System of Maryland (USM) indicate a 1.6
percent increase in the total number of students in the
System compared to last year – 108,485 students, the
System’s highest count ever. Two institutions –
Towson University and the University of Maryland
Baltimore County (UMBC) – showed increases of 9.5
percent and 12.3 percent respectively in the number of
new freshmen on their campuses. The figures were released
in a report on 10/1/99 to the USM Board
of Regents during its meeting at Coppin State College in
Baltimore.
Other highlights of the report:
- The number of new full-time freshmen enrolled in
the System decreased slightly – by .4
percent. The decline is primarily due to
decreases in full-time freshmen enrollments at
Bowie State University and University of Maryland
Eastern Shore, of 18.1 percent and 11.4 percent
respectively.
Wendell Holloway, interim president at Bowie
State, said the decrease at his institution can
be attributed to a number of factors: “For
instance, the booming economy has some high
school graduates going straight into the work
force, especially in some of the high-technology
fields.”
He added that the number of Bowie State students
pursuing degrees in math, science and technology
is on the rise, as is the number of students
transferring to Bowie.
“Students are transferring here because they
want the Bowie degree,” Holloway said.
- The number of full-time undergraduates continues
to increase for the sixth consecutive year,
rising to the highest level in more than 20
years. The largest increases were reported at
University of Maryland University College (UMUC),
UMBC, and Towson University.
- UMUC experienced significant growth in part-time
undergraduates, showing a preliminary
increase of 11.6 percent. The number of part-time
undergraduates across the USM rose two percent
after a decline that lasted 10 years.
Other items that received a board vote on October 1,
1999:
- A combined USM fundraising goal of $127.8 million
for Fiscal Year 2000 was approved. This figure
represents an eight percent increase over the
Fiscal Year 1999 goal.
- Revised institutional goals for the USM’s
seven-year fundraising campaign were approved.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore will
increase its campaign goal from $150 million to
$173 million. Two other institutions, Salisbury
State University and Coppin State College, also
will increase their goals, while five
institutions will marginally decrease theirs. The
overall campaign goal will remain at the
previously announced amount of $700 million by
2002.
- Revised policies on affiliated foundations were
approved by the Board. The revisions are the
result of the work of two special Regents’
committees and also respond to a new state law
allowing the USM’s 13 institutions to
establish their own foundations if they so
choose, to be operated in accordance with Board
of Regents policies.
The Board also approved the following statement in
response to Gov. Glendening’s executive order
concerning domestic violence:
“In recognition and support of the
Governor’s concern over domestic violence in the
State of Maryland, the University System of Maryland
Board of Regents urges its presidents to develop
policies and procedures recognizing the
Governor’s Executive Order on Domestic Violence
and the Workplace. Domestic violence is abusive,
criminal behavior. It is not a private family matter
– it follows its victims to work and deprives
them of a safe and productive workplace. The Board of
Regents is committed to curbing domestic violence
among employees and students and to raising awareness
of this issue within the University System of
Maryland community.”
Contact:
Chris Hart
Phone: 301/445-2739
Pager: 301/507-2316
E-mail: chart@usmh.usmd.edu
