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Dear ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø students, staff and faculty,

As we serve our students and our ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø community amid this busy spring semester, much has been happening in Annapolis and Washington, D.C. that continues to shape our economy and our society. I write today to respond to state and federal events that have impacted Maryland and higher education, including Towson University.

First, I commend our faculty and staff for your resilience during these challenging times. I know it has been a trying year, and I thank you for tirelessly supporting our students and each other. Your many important contributions to our university are very much appreciated.

As we navigate the challenges ahead, we will be driven by our university’s mission and core values. We will be successful because of your work and its significant impact.

State budget

Before concluding this year’s legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly worked to resolve an unprecedented budget shortfall, which required cuts across all state agencies. The University System of Maryland (USM), including ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø and the 11 other public higher education member institutions, is managing a budget reduction of $155M (7%) in state appropriations. This represents an increase from the $111M reduction that was previously shared. This additional USM reduction was added in the final budget agreement reached prior to the end of the legislative session on April 7.

We are managing our share of this cut by reducing institutional expenses across our colleges and administrative divisions, per the budget exercise we completed earlier this academic year. Budget plans reflecting these reductions were shared with the university’s Resource Planning & Advisory Committee (RPAC) for feedback as part of the process.

While these budget challenges require tough decisions, ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø’s leadership team has approached our reduction efforts guided by three core principles:

• Students come first. We must do everything we can to ensure the success of our students and protect ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø’s academic and research enterprise.
• Stay true to our strategic plan goals and presidential priorities. Our future aspirations remain unchanged.
• Support our people and minimize disruptions to the lives of those in our community. We are committed to the faculty and staff that make ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø strong.

As plans are finalized, deans and divisional vice presidents will share specific budget reduction information with their respective units.

Despite the operational budget reductions, ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø continues to receive significant support from our state partners in enhancing our physical campus through capital funding. The Smith Hall renovation project is progressing on schedule and on budget. Future approved projects, which remain unchanged, are focused on addressing utility needs and modernizing outdated student services facilities.

Federal changes

Higher education will continue to feel impacts from the changing political landscape in Washington, D.C. ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø has built strong relationships with federal agencies to provide research and program partnerships that meet the needs of our community and our global society.

¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø is one of 45 universities being investigated under an Office of Civil Rights complaint within the U.S. Department of Education. While ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø has responded to the official inquiry, there is little we can say publicly as this remains a legal matter. Be assured, our work continues.

¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø’s tactical team, comprised of senior leaders at our university, is meeting continually to monitor and study the ever-changing federal forecast, working with our state leaders and USM partners to understand potential impacts on our community. This team has been relaying new information to college and divisional leadership to share with their units as necessary.

There are many uncertainties around federal funding. We know that many members of our university community rely on this financial support and are seeking guidance on how these changes may affect their work. To date, ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø has received termination notices on approximately $9M in multi-year grants due to changes in federal policy. In an effort to try to protect and support the work that would be affected by these and any future cuts, ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø and the USM are party to two lawsuits in this space. Again, our work continues.

In addition to funding measures, new federal approaches to immigration and diversity programming have affected many institutions throughout the country. We maintain that ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø is in compliance with all state and federal laws, and we will remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a campus community where all members are respected and valued.

We’ve been in direct contact — and will remain in direct contact — with our international student, staff and faculty community. For those who need counsel, the USM has resources for immigration representation through the and the Law School at the University of Baltimore. As was shared by our Office of General Counsel with faculty earlier this semester, if any external law enforcement officer approaches you on campus, immediately contact our Office of Public Safety at 410-704-4444.

It is indeed a turbulent time for universities across the country, but with challenges come opportunities. I am confident that the opportunities we have are far greater than the challenges we face. ¾«Ñ¡Â鶹¶þÇø is as strong as we have ever been, and I am positive we will emerge from this period of myriad challenges even stronger.

We will remain true to our mission and led by our values. With collaboration and trust in one another, I ask that we stay positive, stay focused and stay together.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
President