An additional $362 million in state budget cuts were approved by Maryland Board of Public Works, which resulted in a 25 million dollar budget cut for The University System of Maryland (USM). The money instead will be transferred to the state.
This filters down to UMBC in the amount of $2.3 million in budget cuts. Nevertheless, UMBC’s administration assured in an email sent out to campus that, “this reduction would not have an impact on jobs at UMBC.” The email continued, “In support of the academic program, we will not reduce the fund balances of our colleges and academic departments.”
According to USM’s Newsroom these cuts will not be annual, and should be a one time fund balance reduction and transfer. However, UMBC’s administration does anticipate additional budget cuts. Both UMBC and USM are preparing to manage these cuts to continue to preserve academics.
The e-mail sent out to campus pointed out that the cuts have affected state education less (in proportion) to other cuts made in the State’s discretionary budget. The e-mail read, “We believe this reflects the Governor’s continued commitment to protecting higher education to the extent possible in this very difficult budget environment.”
The cuts also threaten the 4- year tuition freeze within the USM system. Kirwan said to USM’s Newsroom, “The USM’s ability to maintain the tuition freeze is an issue that the board will be evaluating.”