University of Maryland Office of the President
Introduction
Executive Summary
Highlights of the Year
Measuring Up
UM's Performance
Competitive Environment
Closing the Gap
How Do We Stack Up
Recruiting and Retaining
Economic Impact
Funding Comparison
Making It
Quality and Access
The Path Forward
Going the Distance
Appendix A
Testimony PDF

   The Competitive Environment

The academic world of today is very highly competitive, as competitive in pursuit of top faculty, top students, major research funding and productive partnerships as any industry in the nation in pursuit of its goals. Faculty, students and staff are free agents, and the best are sought and courted by universities from coast to coast. As in any field, top people look for the conditions first and foremost that will best promote their work (facilities, staff support, salaries, colleagues, top students). Students with outstanding academic profiles seek the universities that will give them the highest quality educational experience and best prepare them to compete in the workforce. Experienced staff who manage administrative offices, head special units that provide technology support, or work to guard public safety, are also eagerly recruited by companies and institutions everywhere. Universities compete fiercely for research funding and for facilities funding from federal agencies and private firms. Finally, competition is keen among universities for the partnerships with businesses and government agencies that fuel research and transfer research to technological applications. The very best seek to work with the very best.



Office of the President, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742