Response to Legislative Analysis

March 2005
University of Baltimore

The President should comment on revising the estimates for future years if the number graduating and working in Maryland proves to be as high as expected.

The original projections for IT graduates were determined several years ago. Our current projection is in line with the market in the IT field. As our enrollment efforts produce a greater incoming class we will revise our number of IT graduates.

The President should comment on how UB’s performance on this goal compared to its peer law school institutions.

None of UB’s peer institutions have a law school. As a general matter, over the years UB’s student bar exam passage rate has been around the state average. The Law School is concerned about the recent slippage in the bar passage rate and will address the issue. As additional funding is made available to the University, we will add resources to support our student’s efforts when taking the bar exam. The UB Law School remains one of the lowest funded programs in the country when compared to other law schools. The University is in discussions with the Board of Regents to examine and adjust the funding formula.

The President should comment on revising the goals for the measure of economically disadvantaged students. The President should also comment on the affordability of an undergraduate education at UB.

The FY 05 estimate for economically disadvantaged students was projected in FY 99. For this reason, it appears that UB has declined in the number of economically disadvantaged students for FY 05, which is incorrect. In fact, the University has experienced substantial growth in this area. The University’s past success with attracting and retaining economically disadvantaged students remains a high priority and continues to grow. The University will revise its goals in FY 05 and FY 06 to accurately reflect the campuses activity in this area.

The President should comment on the challenges and opportunities provided by the efficiency initiatives. The President should also comment on if more than 27 additional students could be accommodated through the academic initiatives when faculty workload is below the average for all comprehensive institutions.

The University has developed plans to recruit more students than the projected 27. The University, in cooperation with the Board of Regents, is exploring alternatives to increase its enrollment by 200 FTE in FY 07 based on current program offerings.

The President should comment on the distribution of UB institutional aid and on the school’s future financial aid strategies.

The University believes that available financial aid is extremely important to our students. It is important to note that the vast majority of merit aid student recipients are also determined to be need-based candidates. Working with consultants from Noel Levitz, the University is developing a strategy that will increase the majority of financial aid for students in need and plans to adjust its distribution of financial aid. The University continues to increase the available funds for financial aid through State and private support.

The President should comment on the decline in the number of instructional personnel from fiscal 2002 through 2005.

The decline in instructional personnel corresponds directly to the reduced state funding and mandatory pass-throughs of the last several years. The instructional personnel comprises 41% of the UB workforce. This share of the workforce remains 8 percentage points above the USM average of 33%.

The President should comment on the outlook for contributing unrestricted funds to fund balance and facilities maintenance.

The University is committed to increasing its fund balance and investing in facilities renewal. Since the President’s arrival, he has designated $600,000 annually toward facilities renewal. He has also ensured that the institution continues to improve its fund balance. The University has one of the highest ratios of fund balance to operating budget within the USM system.

Contact us at govrelations@ubalt.edu

Anita Thomas
Associate Vice President of Government Relations
1420 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201-5779
410.837.4533

Page last updated: 1/27/05