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

MHEC Goal 2: Achieve a system of postsecondary education that promotes accessibility and
affordability to all Marylanders;
MFR Goal 3: Increase access for economically disadvantaged students.
UMUC’s instate undergraduate tuition and fees ($240 per credit hour) is the second lowest in
the USM. It is the University’s policy not to add the typical range of mandatory fees present
in all other institutions that mask the true cost of attending higher education. The
undergraduate resident tuition rate has remained unchanged for four years (see MFR
Objective 5.4). This has been possible by the budgetary actions of the Governor and the
Legislature.
Close to 40% of UMUC’s undergraduate students are considered “economically
disadvantaged” (see MFR Objective 3.3). This percentage has increased from 33% in 2006.
UMUC expects to maintain or increase current levels.
Last year, the University also provided close to $5M in institutional funds for student
financial aid. These funds are awarded mainly based on financial need.
UMUC has established alliances with all Maryland community colleges and is the largest
receiver of students transferring from Maryland community colleges to USM institutions.
The University has provided $4M since FY 2003 in scholarships to more than 1,000 students
who have successfully completed two years of study at a Maryland community college. In
FY 2009, the UMUC budgeted $1M for this program and $2M (including funds from the
anonymous donor) in FY 2010.
UMUC has embarked on a national strategy to increase its alliances with community
colleges. So far, we have established 19 such programs with some of the largest community
colleges in the nation: from Florida to Texas, Hawaii to Wisconsin and Michigan. The
University intends to expand the number and geographical range of alliance community
colleges. The recently approved Doctor of Management (DM) in Community College Policy
and Administration program (for out-of-state residents only) is a key strategy in increasing
UMUC’s links to community colleges.
Geographically, UMUC maintains more than 20 teaching sites throughout Maryland and in
26 countries. The total number of worldwide enrollments in courses delivered off campus or
through DE continues to increase – more than 250,000 in FY 09 (see MFR Objective 1.3).
The decline in enrollments in the overseas divisions due to increased competition in the
military market from for-profit providers has cancelled the growth stateside.
The new building acquired by the University in Largo, Maryland will provide a new location
for onsite classes as well as to serve students. UMUC expects significant enrollments in this
new site given its central location in Prince George’s County and proximity to Prince
George’s Community College.
MHEC Goal 3: Ensure equal educational opportunity for Maryland’s diverse citizenry;
MFR Goal 3: Increase access for minority students.
The diversity of UMUC students is unparalleled: UMUC enrolls more African-American
students than any Maryland HBCU. Forty-percent of its students are minority and 30%
African-American (see MFR Objectives 3.1 and 3.2). These percentages are somewhat lower
than in the past because the number of students who decline to provide their ethnic/racial
341