University of Maryland Office of the President
Introduction
University's Mission
Fulfilling the Mandate
Fighting an Uphill Battle
Meeting the Challenge
Converging Pressures
Determining the Future
Testimony PDF

Testimony March 2005 Home > The University's Mission <- You Are Here

   The University's Mission

The General Assembly set the mission and goals for the University Flagship in 1988. The Higher Education Act of that year creating the Flagship Institution specifically mandated that the University become "One of the nation's preeminent public research universities, an institution recognized both nationally and internationally for excellence in research and instruction, which makes the results of its research available for the use and benefit of the State of Maryland and its people." The goal was strengthened further in the 1999 legislation, Senate Bill 682, which stated that the "State's first priority is the enhancement of the flagship campus, University of Maryland, College Park, to achieve national eminence." The University has made substantial progress toward meeting this State public policy mandate and is now widely counted among the best public research universities in the nation.

A tangible symbol of the State's commitment to excellence, the University raises the visibility of the State throughout the nation and the world. It attracts the best students, top faculty, and the businesses and federal entities at home and abroad who wish to partner with us and the State. We appreciate very much the support we have received from our many friends in the General Assembly, and throughout the State, as we work together to protect this irreplaceable State asset from further erosion. An increase of 4.1% in the State General Fund appropriation begins a welcome turnaround and a positive reaffirmation of the State's appreciation of the importance of the University to the well being of the citizens of Maryland. Another welcomed increase is need-based financial aid to benefit students.

As I update you on our current status, successes, and stresses, I wish to make three points:

  • The University is committed to fulfilling the State's mandate to achieve national eminence.

  • Fiscal stresses are creating challenges to our ability to maintain the stature we have acquired let alone advance the University.

  • The University is mustering every resource, and devoting all its energies, to protecting the quality and impact of our educational, research, and service programs for the benefit of the State.



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