Dear Alumni,
The 428th session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned at midnight last night, and I am pleased to report that the legislature maintained funding for the Sellinger Program of direct aid to independent colleges and universities at the fiscal 2011 appropriation of $38.4 million. Washington College’s allocation under the Sellinger Program will be $1,364,424. As important, the Fiscal 2012 Capital Budget awards $10 million for four construction and renovation projects at independent colleges and universities. Washington College’s allocation will be $2.5 million for the renovation of the Clifton M. Miller Library. Washington College is contributing the difference to upgrade the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system; to create spaces for group study, distraction-free testing and study skills instruction, an expanded College Archive, and additional offices for instructional technology staff.
Up until this past weekend, there was grave concern that the College’s request for assistance in renovating Miller Library would be reduced to $1.5 million, effectively delaying the opportunity to begin the project this summer. The $2.5 million is less than the requested $3 million, but it will permit the College to begin phase one of the project immediately following Commencement in May. It also means that a planned $1 million renovation of the basement of the Cain Athletic Center will be able to proceed as planned this summer.
There are many individuals to thank for the success of our state funding requests in these trying economic times. First and foremost, we thank the members of the General Assembly who were our champions: Delegates Norman Conway, Adrienne Jones, and Melony Griffith of the House Appropriations Committee and Senators Edward Kasemeyer, James DeGrange, and Richard Colburn of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. In addition, Senators Barry Glassman ’84 and Joe Getty ’74 were persuasive advocates on behalf of their alma mater. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not recognize and salute Tina Bjarekull, President of the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA), and her staff for their diligent work throughout the 90-day legislative session to make the case for independent higher education before the members of the General Assembly. We could ask for no better representation in the halls of the Maryland legislature than Tina and her staff.
I hope you will join me in thanking members of the Maryland General Assembly with whom you come into contact for supporting MICUA institutions through the Sellinger Formula and the State Capital Budget.
Up until this past weekend, there was grave concern that the College’s request for assistance in renovating Miller Library would be reduced to $1.5 million, effectively delaying the opportunity to begin the project this summer. The $2.5 million is less than the requested $3 million, but it will permit the College to begin phase one of the project immediately following Commencement in May. It also means that a planned $1 million renovation of the basement of the Cain Athletic Center will be able to proceed as planned this summer.
There are many individuals to thank for the success of our state funding requests in these trying economic times. First and foremost, we thank the members of the General Assembly who were our champions: Delegates Norman Conway, Adrienne Jones, and Melony Griffith of the House Appropriations Committee and Senators Edward Kasemeyer, James DeGrange, and Richard Colburn of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. In addition, Senators Barry Glassman ’84 and Joe Getty ’74 were persuasive advocates on behalf of their alma mater. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not recognize and salute Tina Bjarekull, President of the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA), and her staff for their diligent work throughout the 90-day legislative session to make the case for independent higher education before the members of the General Assembly. We could ask for no better representation in the halls of the Maryland legislature than Tina and her staff.
I hope you will join me in thanking members of the Maryland General Assembly with whom you come into contact for supporting MICUA institutions through the Sellinger Formula and the State Capital Budget.
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