Tom Argasinski

The meeting commenced with welcoming new regents and recognizing staff award recipients (who will be honored in April). Discussions highlighted significant issues facing higher education, including campus safety following a recent murder and terroristic threats against HBCUs, and navigating unprecedented budget cuts, leading to cost-saving measures like the board forgoing an association conference and holding a future meeting via Zoom. Condolences were offered for the passing of Dr. Eric Richardson. The meeting also featured presentations on Salisbury University's centennial celebration and its deep integration with the Eastern Shore community, particularly in addressing rural healthcare challenges. Specific focus was given to initiatives involving the School of Social Work and College of Health and Human Services, including interprofessional education collaborations with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and student presentations on integrating social work into community pharmacies to address social determinants of health, as well as peer health education focusing on overdose response training (Narcan distribution) and LGBTQ+ inclusive sexual health education.

The Committee on Finance of the USM Board of Regents planned to meet in public session followed by a closed session to discuss several action items. Key topics included approvals for major capital projects: renovation and corrective work at Frostburg State University's Brownsville Residence Hall ($8.55 million), an increase in authorization for Towson University's Field House and Towson Center renovation ($35 million total), and electrical distribution system renewals at the University of Maryland, Baltimore's Health Sciences and Human Services Library ($6.62 million) and Health Sciences Facility I ($8.7 million). Other agenda items covered authorization for the Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation (MGIC) to support international operations for other USM institutions, and consideration of the Forty-Eighth Bond Resolution to issue $195.5 million in Revenue Bonds to convert previously cash-funded projects to bond funding to preserve system cash reserves.

The Committee on Audit's public session agenda included reviewing the USM Audited Financial Statements for FY 2025 and a report from the independent auditor, SB & Co., LLC, regarding the FY 2025 financial statements. Other discussion items covered completed activity from the Office of Legislative Audit and a follow-up of action items from prior meetings. The committee also planned to convene into a closed session.

This document serves as a scorecard reporting on the University System of Maryland's progress towards the goals outlined in its strategic plan, 'The USM Through 2020: A Renewed Vision for Powering Maryland Forward.' It demonstrates commitment to accountability and transparency, details revisions to existing goals, and introduces new goals focused on supporting campus equity, diversity, inclusion, and civic engagement. Key strategic areas covered include promoting equity, increasing access and affordability, leading in research and innovation, fostering academic innovation, effective resource stewardship, and achieving national eminence and global impact.

This report from the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Civic Education Workgroup presents recommendations for system-wide initiatives focused on civic education, civic engagement, and civic responsibility. The core objective is to ensure USM graduates are civically literate and prepared to contribute actively to a civil society. Key recommendations include fostering a system-wide ethos of civic engagement, promoting Carnegie Community Engagement classification, encouraging student voting, and establishing civic literacy as a fundamental expectation for all students through expanded learning opportunities and aligned goals.