MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

839 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland, December 2003. 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.

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 Education Coordinating Committee; the Maryland Education Council; the Education Coordinating Council for Correctional Institutions; the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority; the Maryland Higher Education Investment Program Board; 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. The Secretary also serves on the Judith P. Hoyer Blue Ribbon Commission on the Financing of Early Child Care and Education, the Task Force to Study College Readiness for Disadvantaged and Capable Students, the Commission on Funding and Services for Gifted and Talented Student Education in Maryland, and the Western Maryland Economic Development Task Force.

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 three divisions: Administration; Finance Policy; and Planning and Academic Affairs.

DIVISION OF FINANCE POLICY

The Division administers over $30 million in State student financial aid. 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.

OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
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.

DIVISION OF PLANNING & ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

MARYLAND FIRE-RESCUE EDUCATION & TRAINING COMMISSION
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 Maryland Higher Education Commission in 1988 (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988).

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 the University of Maryland System.

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).

OFFICE OF POLICY ANALYSIS & RESEARCH
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. Effective June 2001, the Division became the Office of Policy Analysis and 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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