Dear TU faculty and staff,

I write to you today to share how TU is responding to statewide budgetary challenges.

Recently, Gov. Wes Moore’s administration announced $149M in midyear spending reductions for some state agencies. To support $19.1M in reductions of state support across the University System of Maryland, TU will be required to reduce its FY25 operating budget. While final plans are being detailed, we anticipate a reduction of approximately $1.9M.

To meet this required reduction, we will begin some important immediate actions. As we do so, we continue to prioritize the people, programs, activities and initiatives of our university by limiting the budgetary impact on them. We reaffirm our commitment to maintain the upward trajectory and momentum we are all so proud of at TU.

First, effective immediately, we will institute a pause — not a freeze — on all recruiting and hiring for positions not yet posted for hire. All open staff and faculty positions within administrative divisions and academic colleges will undergo an initial review by their unit and executive leaders to address the immediate need to fill the position. We will delay the start of most searches for 90 days after a position is vacated. Consideration for exceptions will be given to avoid immediate impact on student programming and critical services. It is anticipated that this will save an estimated $800,000 this fiscal year.

Second, all administrative divisions and academic colleges will develop action plans for a reduction of at least 1% to FY25 operating budgets. It is anticipated this effort will save the university more than $1.3M this fiscal year.

Finally, we have been advised that current state revenue projections also might fall short of expectations later in FY25 and moving forward into FY26. As a result, TU’s cabinet has begun to plan for potential spending reductions later this fiscal year and next, if deemed necessary, as the assessment of the state’s fiscal condition continues.

I want to thank our leadership teams — our executive team, cabinet, deans and shared governance leaders — for their leadership, counsel, advice and patience as we navigate these waters. As a USM institution, TU benefits from the support of our system leadership, as well as that of the executive and legislative leaders of Maryland. In challenging budget times, we can support them as true partners with efforts like the necessary budget reduction measures outlined above.

I am confident that despite the current state-wide fiscal challenges, TU will remain strong and fiscally sound, and we are well situated to deal with these challenging circumstances.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and each other as we continue to address these challenges. I know that together we will weather this current storm.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
President