education had divested themselves of community
college responsibilities. In 1976, the Governor was
authorized to establish boards of trustees for future
community colleges upon petition of the respective
counties and recommendation of the State Board
for Higher Education and the State Board for Com-
munity Colleges (Chapter 538, Acts of 1976).
Local boards of trustees are appointed by the Gov-
ernor, except in Baltimore City where the Mayor
and City Council make the appointments.

The State Board for Community Colleges estab-
lishes general policies for the State's community
colleges. The Board studies the problems of com-
munity college education and assists the colleges
with professional advice in all areas of their activi-
ties. The Board reviews and advises upon all pro-
posed major program additions or modifications in
existing community colleges, as well as proposals
for establishing new community colleges. The
Board also reviews and approves all continuing
education courses offered by the colleges.

To assure educational opportunities for students
and efficient use of funds, the Board coordinates
relations among community colleges and facilitates
transfer of community college students to four-year
institutions of higher education. The Board also co-
ordinates relations among community colleges,
State and local public school systems, and private
high schools to promote cooperation in guidance
and admission of students to community colleges.

The Board maintains an information and ac-
counting system for community college programs,
administers the State's program of support for com-
munity colleges, and helps community colleges se-
cure and administer available federal funds. The
Board also assists the Maryland Higher Education
Commission in its duties as they pertain to commu-
nity colleges and in its preparation of plans and
recommendations for new facilities and programs
concerning community colleges.

The State Board for Community Colleges estab-
lishes guidelines for community colleges to use in
financial record-keeping and preparing annual audit
reports. The Board also reviews audits and manage-
ment letters of community colleges to determine if
the schools are audited in accordance with statute,
and to assure that recommendations are imple-
mented by each college.

Recent Board initiatives include coordinating
college programs for business and industry and
promoting community colleges as a statewide re-
source for economic development initiatives.

The Board may designate certain community
college instructional programs as statewide pro-
grams. Fifty-nine programs since 1979 have been
so designated. Statewide programs minimize dupli-
cation while enriching the curriculum.

Independent Agencies/439

Maryland has fourteen county community col-
leges, two regional community colleges, and a col-
lege in Baltimore City In three counties, branch
campuses also serve as extensions of neighboring
community colleges. Each branch campus is admin-
istered by a community college in a different polit-
ical subdivision under contract with the county
government in which the branch is located. Catons-
ville Community College administers a Carroll
County branch campus. Charles County Commu-
nity College administers branch campuses in St.
Mary's and Calvert counties. Community college
services are thus available in each political subdivi-
sion, except for Somerset County Enrollment for
fall 1987 totaled 96,517 students in degree and
certificate programs. In fiscal year 1988, enrollment
totaled 142,123 students in continuing education
courses.

The two regional community colleges are Ches-
apeake College and Wor-Wic Tech Community Col-
lege on the Eastern Shore. Chesapeake College at
Wye Mills was chartered in 1965. It serves Caroline,
Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot coun-
ties. Created in 1975, Wor-Wic Tech Community
College at Salisbury serves Worcester and
Wicomico counties as a community college with a
strong emphasis on vocational-technical programs.

Annually, the Board submits a State Plan to the
Governor and General Assembly that incorporates
elements of an annual report. The Board also pub-
lishes special and continuing studies on program
evaluation, student follow-up, enrollment, finance,
and related policy issues. General policies of the
Board are found in Title 13C of the Code of Mary-
land Regulations. A monthly newsletter, SBCC Bul-
letin, is distributed to the colleges and State officials.

The Board consists of eight members appointed
by the Governor with Senate advice and consent.
Seven members are appointed for six-year terms.
One member is a student appointed to a one-year
term upon recommendation of the community col-
lege presidents (Code Education Article, secs. 16-
101 through 16-515).

MARYLAND STATE BOARD OF
CONTRACT APPEALS

Robert B. Harrison III, Chairperson, 1990

Appointed by Governor (who also designates
chair) with Senate advice & consent: Allan S. Levy,
1989; Edward G. Ketchen, 1992.

501 St. Paul Place, Suite 1110
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