![[color photograph of Jeffrey Building, 16 Francis St., Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/images/i005984a.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 The Board in turn was superseded in 1988 by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.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).
Jeffrey Building, 16 Francis St., Annapolis, Maryland, January 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
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, 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 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 Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness; the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee for Minority Affairs; the Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism; the State Use Industries Advisory Committee; and the Southern Regional Education 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: Finance Policy; Planning and Academic Affairs; and Policy Analysis and Research.
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.
STATE SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION
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. 12-113).
For the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Division studies major issues in postsecondary education. The Division 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 Division coordinates the yearly performance accountability process and prepares enrollment projections.
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. It oversees State scholarship administration, finance, and facilities.
The State Scholarship Administration 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). The Administration is responsible for all State student financial aid programs.
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. In addition, the Division oversees the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission.
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).
DIVISION OF POLICY ANALYSIS & RESEARCH
The Division 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, Policy Analysis and Research reformed as a division in 1997.
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us