370/Maryland Manual

Sheldon H. Knorr, Commissioner for Higher
Education, 1988

16 Francis Street
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-2971

The State Board for Higher Education was
created by Chapter 538, Acts of 1976, to replace
the Maryland Council for Higher Education,
which originally was created by Chapter 41, Acts
of 1963, as the Maryland Advisory Council on
Higher Education. Compared with its predecessor
agencies, the State Board for Higher Education has
considerably increased responsibilities and powers
in the areas of coordination of the growth of public
higher education, institutional and program ap-
proval, and fiscal matters. To the extent practica-
ble, the Board consults with agencies and institu-
tions afiected by its actions and recommendations
before taking final action on them.

The State Board consists of eleven voting mem-
bers appointed by the Governor with the advice
and consent of the Senate. The chairperson of the
Student Advisory Assembly to the State Board for
Higher Education serves as a non-voting member.
Appointed members serve five-year terms and may
not serve more than two full terms. The student
member serves for one year (Code Education
Article, secs. 12, 17, 24, 25).

The State Board appoints a Commissioner for
Higher Education who executes the policies adopt-
ed by the Board, directs the Board's staff, and
serves as a member of the Governor's Executive
Council. The Commissioner serves a four-year
term and is eligible for reappointment.

The Board carries forth its broad responsibility
for coordinating the overall growth and develop-
ment of postsecondary education through activities
in the following functional areas:

RESEARCH, PLANNING AND
INFORMATION SYSTEMS

A statewide master plan for postsecondary edu-
cation in Maryland, adopted by the Board in 1978,
is updated annually. Each year the Board reviews
the short-range and long-range goals and objec-
tives of State postsecondary education institutions
and agencies to assure that they are consistent with
the master plan. The Board also coordinates
participation by the postsecondary education com-
munity in the State's Executive Planning Process.
In accord with its broad planning responsibilities,
the Board serves as the State Postsecondary Edu-
cation Commission under Title XII of the federal
Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

In support of its planning functions, the Board
collects, compiles, analyzes, and disseminates data
related to postsecondary education in the State. It
develops and implements management tools and
information systems to aid policy-makers at the
State and institutional levels. In consultation with
postsecondary education agencies and institutions,
the Board conducts studies of educational needs in
the State and the resources available to meet them.
In order to encourage the effective and equitable
use of resources for postsecondary education, the
Board sets guidelines for tuition and fees and for
faculty and administrative salaries. The Board also
makes recommendations for improving the coordi-
nation and operation of student financial aid
programs in the State, as well as recommendations
about how State and federal programs of support
for higher education can be meshed for maximum
benefit to the citizenry.

The Board disseminates information concerning
its activities through its newsletter entitled Record,
preparation of news releases for public media, and
publication and distribution of numerous studies,
research reports, and other documents. The Board
also promotes public awareness of opportunities in
postsecondary education with its Guide to Higher
Education in Maryland, which is published annual-
ly and distributed to high school and adult stu-
dents throughout the State.

FINANCE AND FACILITIES

In consultation with the Department of Budget
and Fiscal Planning, the Board annually reviews
and makes recommendations concerning operating
budget requests from the University of Maryland,
Morgan State University, the Board of Trustees of
the State Universities and Colleges, St. Mary's
College of Maryland, the State Board for Commu-
nity Colleges, the State Scholarship Board, and the
Higher Education Loan Corporation. On the basis
of this review, the Board develops a consolidated
operating budget for higher education for presenta-
tion to the Governor. In consultation with the
Department of State Planning, the Board also
reviews proposals for capital projects requested by
public and private institutions of higher education.
This capital budget review function is aided by the
Board's facilities inventorying efforts as well as by
its other activities in the area of space planning
utilization. The Board also administers the State's
program of aid to private institutions of higher
education.