![[photo, Maryland Higher Education Commission, 839 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/highered/images/1198-1-283b.jpg)
Origins of the Maryland Higher Education Commission trace to 1963, when the Advisory Council on Higher Education was formed (Chapter 41, Acts of 1963). The Council was renamed the Maryland Council on Higher Education in 1968 (Chapter 130, Acts of 1968). The State Board for Higher Education replaced the Council in 1976 (Chapter 538, Acts of 1976). The Board in turn was superseded in 1988 by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The Commission implemented a reorganization of Maryland universities and colleges in 1988 (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988).
839 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland, December 2002. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In consultation with the governing boards and agencies concerned with higher education, the Commission develops and updates an overall plan, consistent with the Maryland Charter for Higher Education, to coordinate the growth and development of postsecondary education in Maryland. The Charter, adopted in 1988, sets forth State goals for higher education (Code Education Article, secs. 10-201 through 10-212).
In 1991, when the State Board for Community Colleges was abolished, its functions transferred to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Today, the State funding extended to community colleges is administered by the Commission.
The Commission's twelve members are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Eleven serve five-year terms; a student member has a one-year term. The Governor names the chair (Code Education Article, secs. 11-101 through 11-206).
Under the Commission are two divisions: Finance Policy, and Planning and Academic Affairs. The Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission also assists the Commission.
![[photo, 839 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/highered/images/1198-1-854b.jpg)
Appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, the Secretary of Higher Education oversees the State's system of higher education. The Secretary is a member of the Governor's Executive Council; the Cabinet Council for Career and Technology Education; the Smart Growth Subcabinet; the College Savings Plans of Maryland Board; the Education Coordinating Committee; the Maryland Education Council; the Education Coordinating Council for Correctional Institutions; the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority; the Maryland K-16 Partnership Leadership Council; the State Information Technology Board; the Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness; the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee for Minority Affairs; the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism; the Southern Regional Education Board; and the Governor's Workforce Investment Board.
Maryland Higher Education Commission, 839 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland, August 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Every two years, the Commission reviews and updates the State Plan for Higher Education, including a report on the status and needs of postsecondary education in Maryland (Code Education Article, sec. 11-105). The biannual update of the State Plan is based on the findings of the State Planning Committee for Higher Education. For the Commission, the Committee examines enrollment trends, costs of education, workforce issues, and cost efficiencies. The Committee also seeks ways to ensure that college is accessible and affordable for Marylanders. In December 2005, the Committee submitted the Plan for the next two years to the Governor. Higher education institutions are working collaboratively with the Commission to implement the updated Plan.
FACULTY ADVISORY COUNCIL
Appointed by the Secretary of Higher Education, the Council is composed of faculty members representing the segments and institutions of higher education.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Council is comprised of financial aid directors and others associated with the six segments of higher education. Members are appointed by the Secretary of Higher Education.
MARYLAND FIRE-RESCUE EDUCATION & TRAINING COMMISSION
The Commission develops standards for fire, rescue and emergency medical education and training in Maryland. To coordinate emergency services training, the Commission develops and maintains a statewide master plan; collects and disseminates data; and reviews research on fire-rescue education. The Commission works in cooperation with Maryland emergency services systems.
Thirteen members constitute the Commission. They are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The Governor names the chair (Code Education Article, sec. 11-501 through 11-503).
SEGMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Council includes one student from the student governance body at each degree-granting institution in Maryland.
Over $95 million in State student financial aid is administered by the Division. For institutions of higher education, the Division sets guidelines for operating and capital budgets; analyzes campus budget requests; and makes recommendations on funding. The Division also directs State aid for community colleges and private institutions, and capital improvements for community colleges.
The Division oversees Administrative Services; Finance and Facilities; Grants; and the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Within the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the William Donald Schaefer Scholarship Fund started in October 2004 (Chapter 413, Acts of 2004). The Commission may accept gifts or grants for the Fund. The Fund must be used for scholarship awards (Code Education Article, secs. 18-2701 through 18-2707).
Under the Division of Planning and Academic Affairs are the Maryland Digital Library, and Career and Workforce Education; Information Systems; Planning and Policy; and the Office of Policy Analysis and Research.
In collaboration with the Enoch Pratt Free Library, the State Archives, county libraries, and elementary and secondary school libraries, the Maryland Digital Library may develop programs to support all residents of the State (Code Education Article, secs. 11-801 through 11-804).
CAREER & WORKFORCE EDUCATION
OFFICE OF POLICY ANALYSIS & RESEARCH
For the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Office studies major issues in postsecondary education. The Office also collects and analyzes data later reported in the Commission's annual Data Book and Trend Book and on the Internet. For public colleges and universities, the Office coordinates the yearly performance accountability process and prepares enrollment projections.
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STATE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
In April 2004, the State Planning Committee for Higher Education was formed by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
The Faculty Advisory Council reviews issues and advises the Secretary of Higher Education on matters of importance to faculty members.
The Financial Assistance Advisory Council advises the Maryland Higher Education on policy and administrative issues affecting financial aid in the State.
In 1976, the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission was established within the State Board for Higher Education (Chapter 682, Acts of 1976). The Commission was placed under the Secretary of Higher Education in 1988 (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988).
The Segmental Advisory Council advises the Secretary of Higher Education. Represented on the Council are the six "segments" of the postsecondary community: the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, community colleges, independent institutions, and private career schools. From each of these, the chief executive or a representative of its governing and coordinating boards serves on the Council.
The Student Advisory Council provides advice to the Secretary of Higher Education.
DIVISION OF FINANCE POLICY
In 1988, the Division of Finance Policy started as the Division of Finance and Policy Analysis and received its present name in 1993.
The Office of Student Financial Assistance began in 1961 as the State Scholarship Board (Chapter 412, Acts of 1961). The Board reorganized in 1988 as the State Scholarship Administration under the Maryland Higher Education Commission (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988). On July 1, 2002, the Administration was renamed the Office of Student Financial Assistance (Chapters 315 and 429, Acts of 2002). The Office is responsible for all State student financial aid programs.
WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The William Donald Schaefer Scholarship Program was established in October 2004 (Chapter 413, Acts of 2004). Through this program, annual scholarships are awarded to Maryland residents who demonstrate financial need and a serious intent to enter public service on the completion of their schooling. Recipients, who must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students at a Maryland college or university, may receive the scholarship for up to four years. Scholars are obliged to perform a public service obligation in the State for each year that the scholarship is received (Code Education Article, secs. 18-2701 through 18-2707).
WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER SCHOLARSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL
The William Donald Schaefer Scholarship Advisory Council was initiated October 2004 within the Maryland Higher Education Commission (Chapter 413, Acts of 2004). Annually, the Council advises the Commission in selecting the William Donald Schaefer Scholars (Code Education Article, secs. 18-2701 through 18-2707).
DIVISION OF PLANNING & ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Formed in 1988, the Division of Planning and Academic Affairs approves academic programs and new institutions, and oversees postsecondary institutions, including private career schools. The needs of education and training programs as well as plans for such programs are analyzed by the Division.
MARYLAND DIGITAL LIBRARY
The Maryland Digital Library was authorized in October 2004 within the Maryland Higher Education Commission (Chapter 402, Acts of 2004). Its purpose is to strengthen cooperation among Maryland academic libraries, and create fiscal efficiencies through such cooperation. The Library consists of the academic libraries in public and private nonprofit institutions of postsecondary education that hold of certificate of approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
MARYLAND DIGITAL LIBRARY ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Maryland Digital Library Advisory Council was created in October 2004 (Chapter 402, Acts of 2004). Annually, the Council submits a report to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Upon receipt of this report, the Commission can encourage each academic library to increase shared access to information through internet-accessible electronic form, and in books or other traditional formats. The Commission also may encourage the libraries to optimize effective use of funding in the creation of digital resources; digitize unique collections as internet resources; as well as train staff to improve services, and develop programs that support training library users' access to electronic materials (Code Education Article, secs. 11-801 through 11-804).
Career and Workforce Education oversees the regulation of private career schools in Maryland. The office sets academic and financial standards for Commission approval and provides information on how to open a school. For students, the office maintains lists of approved schools and those which have closed. Enrollment figures, completion rates, and pass rates of graduates on any licensure examination are published by the office. To protect students, the office may take legal action against schools when necessary.
The Office of Policy Analysis and Research originated in 1976 as Research, Planning, and Evaluation. In 1985, it reorganized as Research, Planning, and Information Systems. Under the Division of Planning and Academic Affairs since 1988, it reformed as the Division of Policy Analysis and Research in 1997. In June 2001, the Division became the Office of Policy Analysis and Research.
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