2009 Performance Accountability Report Vol. 2 - Maryland Higher ...

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
MISSION
UMUC offers top-quality educational opportunities to adult students in Maryland, the nation,
and the world, setting the global standard of excellence in adult education. By offering academic
programs that are respected, accessible, and affordable, UMUC broadens the range of career
opportunities available to students, improves their lives, and maximizes their economic and
intellectual contributions to Maryland and the nation. It is our vision to be the leading global
university distinguished by the quality of our education, commitment to our students’ success,
and accessibility to our programs.
Significant Trends
INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT
The financial crisis affecting the nation and the world is the most significant and pervasive factor
affecting higher education today, and it has brought a unique set of challenges to UMUC in
particular. The challenges it presents take the form of reduced state support and potentially
lower enrollments. The original FY 09 state appropriations to UMUC were cut by 3.7% and the
FY 10 appropriations are expected to be reduced as we prepare for the start of the fiscal year.
This past year, our faculty, staff and administrators were asked to take 3-6 furlough days as part
of the State’s efforts to address its revenues shortfall. The potential impact of the financial crisis
on the enrollment of adult students in higher education is monitored very carefully by UMUC. A
particular concern has been actions employers may take to cut back tuition assistance for their
employees and adult students delaying investing in their higher education. Since State
appropriations make up for only 10% of UMUC’s entire unrestricted budget, any change in adult
participation in higher education could have a significant impact on the University. While there
is some evidence that adult students are waiting longer to commit to their education and enroll,
so far the University has not experienced a negative impact to its enrollments, and this past year
the University met its enrollment goals in every term. For example, while the USM/MHEC’s
Fall 2008 headcount projection for UMUC was 33,116, the University ended up enrolling
34,172. The 2009 Summer has likewise been a banner one for our enrollments, providing a
guarded confidence that the financial crisis will not compromise the FY 10 enrollment goals.
Indications are that students are shifting their enrollments to lower tuition institutions,
particularly community colleges. Since UMUC is the largest recipient of community college
transfer students in Maryland, and it has alliances with community colleges throughout the
nation, this shift may have a positive impact on the University’s enrollments.
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