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 in 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). In 2019, the University of Maryland University College was renamed University of Maryland Global Campus (Chapter 40, Acts of 2019).
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.
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, the University of Maryland System was created in 1988 (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988). The System was renamed the University System of Maryland in 1997 (Chapter 114, Acts of 1997).
Twenty-one members constitute the Board of Regents. With Senate advice and consent, the Governor appoints sixteen members to five-year terms and two student members to two-year terms. The Senate President and House Speaker each appoint one member to a five-year term. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Commerce serve ex officio (Chapter 345, Acts of 2019; 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 Global Campus administers adult and continuing education courses and programs at sites across the United States and in Europe and Asia. Three regional higher education centers offer programs to undergraduate and graduate students: the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (Washington County); Universities at Shady Grove (Montgomery County); and most recently the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (St. Mary's 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).
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 chairs the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center Governing Board, and serves on the Maryland Subcabinet for Public-Private Partnerships. The Chancellor also is a member of the Asbestos Oversight Committee; the Coast Smart Council; the Maryland Economic Development Commission; the Maryland E-nnovation Initiative Fund Authority; the Maryland 529 Board; the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee; the Hall of Records Commission; the P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland; the Procurement Advisory Council; the Segmental Advisory Council; and the Student Transfer Advisory Committee. 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 and Student Affairs; Administration and Finance; Advancement; and Environmental Sustainability.
Academic Affairs is responsible for Academic Leadership Development and Diversity Initiatives; Academic Programs; P-20 Education; and two regional education centers: the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (Washington County), and the Universities at Shady Grove (Montgomery County).
The Center will administer a Computing Education and Professional Development fund to support its work and provide grants for professional development in computer science education.
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND AT HAGERSTOWN
The University System of Maryland at Hagerstown opened in January 2005. Here, all students transfer from another school, typically a community college, and enter Hagerstown at the junior level.
Students attend classes provided by seven participating institutions: Copping State University; Frostburg State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and University of Maryland University College. Hagerstown, these universities offer over twenty undergraduate and graduate degrees, and graduate certificate programs.
UNIVERSITIES AT SHADY GROVE
The Universities at Shady Grove began in 1992 as part of the University of Maryland University College. In 2000, it reformed under its present name.
Daytime, evening and weekend classes are offered at Shady Grove to students studying in 80 undergraduate, graduate, degree and certificate programs. Degrees are offered at Shady Grove by eight 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: Financial Affairs, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Institutional Research.
Under Advancement are four offices: Advancement Research; Advancement Services; Planned Giving; and Special Events.
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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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