University System of Maryland and the individual campuses are encumbered by
State administrative regulations and procedures and an excessive number of
mandated reports; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force found that the presidents of University institutions
must have significant autonomy to manage their institutions, while being
accountable to the Board of Regents, as envisioned in the 1988 legislation; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force recommended the concept of reestablishing the
University System of Maryland as a public corporation with management flexibility
necessary to respond to the needs of the students, State and citizens in a changing
economy; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force found that the Maryland Higher Education
Commission has a vital role in assessing and articulating the statewide higher
education needs and goals of the State, and in coordinating the segments of higher
education; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force also found that the role of the Maryland Higher
Education Commission in the budget process appears to overlap with the authority of
the Board of Regents and requires clarification. It also found that the Maryland
Higher Education Commission academic program approval process and review of
existing programs are also areas of significant overlap and potential barriers to the
ability of University institutions to respond quickly to public demands and needs; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force reviewed the 1998 State Plan for Higher Education
and found it to be a useful strategic planning document, but felt that the Plan did not
contain sufficient detail to provide a complete framework to guide higher education
and lacked buy-in from major stakeholders. Further, the Task Force believes that
institutional mission statements should lend support to the State Plan for Higher
Education and must evolve to reflect environmental and market conditions; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force recognizes that the University must gain greater
private financial support. The Task Force supports the reestablishment of the Private
Donation Incentive Program to encourage private giving and promote excellence in
higher education; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force supports the College Preparation Intervention
Program and encourages the State to take advantage of matching federal funds to
reestablish this successful program; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force recommended that the University System
institutions receive greater, more stable State funding in order to meet its mission
goals. While calculating a funding base for all institutions should be treated as an
urgent matter, certain allocations are needed immediately to provide a head-start on
addressing serious fiscal deficiencies; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force reaffirmed that higher education is an engine that
drives economic growth and will be key to competing successfully in the 21st century.
The Governor and General Assembly are strongly committed to higher education in
Maryland; now, therefore,