In 1807, the System's earliest unit was founded in Baltimore as the College of Medicine of Maryland (Chapter 53, Acts of 1807). In 1812, the College expanded its professional curricula and changed its name to the University of Maryland (Chapter 159, Acts of 1812).
At College Park, the Maryland State College of Agriculture was founded in 1856. The College merged in 1920 with the Baltimore professional schools to form an enlarged University of Maryland with campuses at Baltimore (UMAB) and College Park (UMCP) (Chapter 480, Acts of 1920). In 1959, the College of Special and Continuation Studies (founded 1947) became the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). The Baltimore County campus (UMBC) was established in 1966. The University of Maryland reorganized into a five-campus system in 1970. At that time, the Maryland State College in Princess Anne (founded 1886) was restructured to form the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).
The University of Maryland achieved land-grant status in 1865 (UMCP) and 1890 (UMES), and was designated a national sea grant college in 1983.
As the components of the former University of Maryland were evolving, so too were the State's teachers colleges. The earliest of these was founded privately in 1865 in Baltimore to train African-American teachers. It later became a State institution, moved to Bowie, and assumed the name Bowie State University. In 1866, the first public teachers college formed as the Maryland State Normal School, now Towson State University. State Normal School no. 2, now Frostburg State University, followed in 1898. In 1900, the Baltimore City School Board laid the foundation for what would become Coppin State University. The first normal school on the Eastern Shore opened in 1925 and now bears the name Salisbury University. In 1963, these five former teachers colleges were brought together under the direction of a single governing body: the Board of Trustees of the State Universities and Colleges. In 1975, the University of Baltimore, privately founded fifty years earlier, joined the campuses governed by the Board.
The University of Maryland System was created in 1988 through the merger of campuses and components of the University of Maryland with those formerly under the Board of Trustees of the State Universities and Colleges (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988). In 1997, the System was renamed the University System of Maryland (Chapter 114, Acts of 1997).
With Senate advice and consent, the Governor appoints the seventeen-member Board of Regents. Sixteen members serve five-year terms and a student member is appointed for a one-year term. The Secretary of Agriculture serves ex officio (Code Education Article, secs. 12-102 through 12-104).
Campuses of the University System are located in Allegany County at Frostburg (Frostburg State University); Baltimore City (UMB, Coppin State University, University of Baltimore); Baltimore County at Catonsville (UMBC) and at Towson (Towson University); Prince George's County at Bowie (Bowie State University) and College Park (UMCP); Somerset County at Princess Anne (UMES); and Wicomico County at Salisbury (Salisbury University). From its headquarters in Adelphi, University of Maryland University College administers adult and continuing education courses and programs at sites across the United States and in Europe and Asia. Two regional higher education centers offer programs to undergraduate and graduate students: Universities at Shady Grove (Montgomery County), and the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (Washington County). The University System of Maryland also includes the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (Code Education Article, secs. 12-101 through 12-113).
Since the restructuring of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute in July 2010, the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research is overseen by the System.
The Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research was established in 1985 as the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology under the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute. In July 2010, it was restructured under its present name as a joint research center between the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park.
Located in Shady Grove, the Institute pursues high quality research in biology, protein design, and drug discovery. It also promotes the commercialization of bioscience research.
System Administration serves as staff to the Board of Regents and is headed by the Chancellor (Code Education Article, sec. 12-108).
Appointed by the Board of Regents, the Chancellor is a member of the Asbestos Oversight Committee; the Climate Change Commision; the College Savings Plans of Maryland Board; the Maryland Economic Development Commission; the Hall of Records Commission; the P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland; the Procurement Advisory Council; the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Retiree Health-Care Funding Options; and the Segmental Advisory Council. The Chancellor also serves on the Board of Directors, University of Maryland Medical System Corporation; and the Southern Regional Education Board.
Under the Chancellor are Academic Affairs; Administration and Finance; Advancement; and Environmental Sustainability.
Academic Affairs is responsible for Academic Leadership and Diversity Initiatives; Academic Programs; University System of Maryland P-20 Partnership; and two regional education centers: the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (Washington County), and the Universities at Shady Grove (Montgomery County).
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND AT HAGERSTOWN
The University System of Maryland at Hagerstown opened in January 2005. There, students attend classes provided by five participating institutions: Frostburg State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Maryland, College Park; and University of Maryland University College. In 2008, at Hagerstown, these Universities offered twelve undergraduate and seven graduate degrees.
UNIVERSITIES AT SHADY GROVE
The Universities at Shady Grove began in 1992 as part of the University of Maryland University College. In 2000, it recieved its present name. Daytime, evening and weekend classes are offered at Shady Grove to undergraduate and graduate students seeking degrees in 60 programs, of which 35 are baccalaureate, including certificate and continuing education programs. Degrees are offered at Shady Grove by nine institutions: Bowie State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; and University of Maryland University College.
Under Administration and Finance are four main offices: Accountability and Planning; Financial Affairs; Human Resources; and Information Technology.
Under Advancement are five offices: Advancement and Strategic Initiatives; Advancement Research; Advancement Services; Planned Giving; and Special Events.
32 West Washington St., Hagerstown, MD 21740
9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE
To ensure that higher education resources are allocated wisely, Administration and Finance plans and coordinates operating and capital budgets for the University System of Maryland. Administrative computing and telecommunications services also are provided by this office.
ADVANCEMENT
Advancement conducts fund-raising to find alternative sources of income for the University System of Maryland and directs cooperative efforts among institutions for obtaining grants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Formed by the Chancellor in February 2008, Environmental Sustainability oversees a systemwide initiative to develop policies, practices, and programs responding to the challenges of global climate change. This division coordinates efforts to use environmentally friendly practices on campuses; works to strengthen educational and research activities on the environment; and helps governments develop and implement public policies to improve and sustain the environment.
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