The State Board for Community Colleges was
established by Chapter 454, Acts of 1968, to co-
ordinate the community colleges in the State. Un-
til July 1, 1969, the Board served as an advisory
board to the State Board of Education with re-
spect to the operation, promotion, and functions
of the community colleges. After July 1, 1969, the
Board assumed its statutory duties.
The Board consists of eight members. Seven
members are appointed by the Governor with the
advice and consent of the Senate for six-year
terms. One member must be a student member
appointed by the Governor upon the recommen-
dation of the Community College Presidents, with
the advice and consent of the Senate for a one-
year term of office (Chapter 537, Acts of 1973).
Members of the Board must be appointed for
their interest in civic and public affairs and for
their knowledge and perception in educational
matters. The Board selects its own officers and
employees.
The same Act provided that local boards of
education sponsoring community colleges could
request of the Governor that they be divested of
authority, which authority would then be vested
in separate local boards of community college
trustees. Chapter 538 of the Acts of 1976,
maintains existing boards of trustees, and
authorizes the Governor to establish, upon peti-
tion of the respective counties, boards of trustees
where no community colleges currently exist,
upon approval of the State Board for Higher Ed-
ucation acting upon the recommendation of the
State Board for Community Colleges. All local
boards of trustees are appointed by the Governor,
except in Baltimore City where appointments are
made by the Mayor and City Council.
The State Board for Community Colleges
establishes general policies for the operation of
the State's community colleges. In addition, it
conducts studies on the problems of community
college education, assists the colleges in providing
expert professional advice in all areas of their ac-
tivities, reviews and advises upon all curriculum
proposals for newly established community
colleges and for proposed major additions to or
modifications of programs in existing community
colleges, and recommends, reviews, and advises
upon proposals for the establishment of new
community colleges. The Board also coordinates
relationships among the community colleges to
assure the widest possible educational opportuni-
ties for the students of the State and the most ef-
ficient use of funds, facilitates the transfer of
students between the community colleges and the
University of Maryland, the State colleges, and |
other institutions of higher education;
coordinates relationships between the community
colleges and the State and local public school
systems and the private high schools in order to
facilitate cooperation with them in guidance and
admission of students to the community
colleges, and arranges for the most advanta-
geous use of facilities. The Board establishes and
maintains a system of information and account-
ing of community college activities; provides
grants-in-aid for the prompt and adequate plan-
ning of new colleges and new programs in
existing colleges; administers the State's program
of support for the community colleges; assists
and represents the community colleges in seek-
ing and administering Federal funds available to
them; assists the State Board for Higher Educa-
tion in the performance of its duties as they
pertain to community colleges and in its prepa-
ration of plans and recommendations for the es-
tablishment and location of new facilities and
programs relating to community colleges.
During fiscal year 1979 there were fifteen com-
munity colleges and two regional community
colleges in operation. In addition, a full branch
campus in Carroll County was operated under
contract with Catonsville Community College.
Through the various programs and course
offerings at the colleges, a total of 84,887
students were served.
The State Board for Community Colleges
submits an annual report in January of each year
to the Governor and the members of the General
Assembly that includes a summary of the Board's
major activities for the preceding year together
with a financial statement and other statistical
data pertaining to the community colleges. The
Board also publishes a brochure for distribution
throughout the State entitled "Educational Op-
portunities in Maryland Community Colleges—
A Guide for Students and Counselors." This bro-
chure provides prospective college students with
information concerning curricula offered at the
colleges. A monthly newsletter, the SBCC Bulle-
tin, is distributed to the colleges and State
officials. Other reports are published as required
(Code 1978, Education Article, Title 16).
MARYLAND CREDIT UNION INSUR-
ANCE CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairperson: Charles L. Benton, Jr.
Vice-Chairperson: George P. Reichenberg |