Government Relations Archive

The State has adopted a 29.4 billion operating budget, which contains substantial increases for higher education.

• The Sellinger Grant Program for Maryland’s independent colleges has been fully funded at $50 million -- a 9 percent increase over FY 2006.

• For the first time, independent colleges with teacher preparation programs will receive state grants to support them.

• The appropriation for student financial aid is approximately $109.5 million -- a 14.7 percent increase over last year. Need-based financial aid will increase by about 25 percent.

Following is a list of some of the bills considered this session that impact private colleges:

• There was a bill that will take effect in January 2007 prohibiting any employer from printing a social security number on a wage payment document.

• A Voter Bill of Rights was passed by both chambers and then was vetoed by the Governor. The veto was overridden by the General Assembly and became law on April 10. This bill requires local boards of election to establish polling sites on both public and private university campuses if at least 500 faculty, students, and staff are registered to vote. Any college or university receiving state aid (including Goucher) will be required to provide a facility and recruit volunteers to staff these sites.

• The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund was passed to promote State-funded stem cell research and cures through grants and loans to private and public entities.

• Companion bills passed both the House and Senate to create a commission that will be charged with developing a model for funding higher education. The Commission is composed of 27 members, and includes the President of Johns Hopkins University and the President of MICUA (Maryland Independent College and University Association.)

• The General Assembly passed a bill to extend the $6.15/hr. minimum wage bill to public agencies, including public institutions of higher education. A similar bill was passed last session for private entities, including private colleges and universities.

• A number of bills were introduced that would impact academic freedom on campus, but these bills encountered strong opposition and they will not become law.