USM leaders warn cuts could force tuition increases as vacancies and housing strain regional campuses; union urges converting contract roles

University System of Maryland officials told the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee that proposed state budget reductions would affect program delivery and student services, and that staffing and housing pressures at regional institutions are acute.

The analyst's presentation noted an estimated $46,100,000 unrestricted expenditure shortfall in 2024 offset by an expected $77,200,000 auxiliary surplus, and listed personnel and vacancy metrics showing seven institutions with double‑digit vacancy rates; Bowen and the Universities at Shady Grove were highlighted as exceeding 20 percent vacancy rates in the analyst's materials.

"This year's proposed cut does affect us. It affects our delivery of programs, it affects student services," the chancellor said, adding that the system is preparing to manage cuts but that "should additional cuts come or costly bills move forward, we'll need to be able to ask our Board of Regents to consider a tuition increase above 2%."

Senators pressed university leaders on causes and remedies for high vacancy rates. Vice Chancellor Ellen Herbst told the committee that recruitment has been harder since the pandemic, that the market is competitive, and that the system is reviewing salary levels and recruitment strategies. Leaders also emphasized that some high vacancy percentages reflect growth in authorized positions tied to increased enrollment rather than straight losses.

Lawmakers raised housing shortages at Bowie State University; officials said a recent new dorm filled quickly and the board approved construction of an additional housing complex to expand bed capacity.

Public testimony from Todd Holden, an IT professional at the University of Maryland College Park and president of ASPE Local 1072, urged oversight of the USM's high use of contractual employees. Holden cited the analyst's figure of more than 6,700 contractual positions budgeted for FY25 and urged converting them into full‑time career positions to reduce precarity for staff. He also urged the committee to support SB188, which would provide binding arbitration in consolidated bargaining.

The subcommittee's analysts recommended concurrence with the governor's budget; committee members requested follow‑up data on recruitment, vacancy drivers and the STARS outreach program's county‑level admissions data to evaluate pipeline impacts.