USM Board of Regents Endorses Creation of University of Maryland Strategic Alliance

The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents today endorsed the concept of creating the University of Maryland Strategic Alliance, an innovative and structured collaboration between the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP). The alliance will leverage the resources of the two universities to help position USM to serve students and the State of Maryland better. The board action resulted from a comprehensive and inclusive six-month study of the advantages and disadvantages of merging the two USM universities in response to a Maryland General Assembly Joint Chairmen's request. The study involved work groups comprising faculty, staff, and students from UMCP and UMB and from all USM institutions. The board also solicited input from higher education merger experts, elected officials, business and community leaders, and other interested individuals.