University of Maryland Baltimore warns of staffing cuts, facility backlog after state funding fall

Delegate Stephanie Smith, chair of the Appropriations Education and Economic Development Subcommittee, opened UMB’s budget hearing, where university leaders outlined enrollment declines, program shifts and spending cuts tied to a fall in state support.

UMB President Bruce Jarrell said the university will reduce full‑time and part‑time positions and cut facility renewal spending after the governor’s allowance reduced state funding for the institution.

The university and legislative fiscal staff framed why the adjustments are necessary. Budget analyst Sarah Baker told the committee that enrollment peaked in 2021 and has fallen 8.9% overall, driven largely by a roughly 20% drop in master’s enrollment; the master's declines included a fall in the PharmD and master of social work programs as competing programs and leadership changes affected enrollment.…