Saturday, February 5, 2022 - Today, the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s College of Maryland approved a tuition freeze for a third consecutive year. The Board also approved a new performing arts major and a business administration major.
Tuition and Fees
The Board of Trustees authorized, at the recommendation of the Finance, Investment and Audit Committee, that student tuition rates for academic year 2022-2023 remain equal to 2021-2022 rates. For the third consecutive year, tuition for in-state students will remain $12,116; out-of-state tuition will remain at $28,192; and tuition for District of Columbia residents remains at $22,116.
The Board also authorized an increase of 2% for mandatory fees and room rates. For board (dining) rates the Board authorized a 4% increase due to inflation.
The tuition freeze began as the result of a review of recommendations from a Board of Trustees task force, formed in 2019 at the request of President Tuajuanda C. Jordan. The task force studied how the College, as a public institution that is focused on providing an all honors education, could ensure greater access to students.
“St. Mary’s College recognizes the strain that increases to college expenses can have on students and families and the Board remains committed to easing that burden,” said Board Chair Susan Lawrence Dyer. “While we are not able to control costs impacted by inflation such as our dining expenses, I commend President Jordan and the staff for managing the budget in a way that we are able to once again hold steady on our tuition rate while still maintaining the exceptional honors education students and families expect from St. Mary’s College.”
Current tuition, fees, room and board for an in-state student total $28,993 and $45,069 for a non-Maryland resident.
“The restructuring across the entire institution, belt tightening, and increased efficiencies have made our efforts to mitigate tuition increases possible,” said President Tuajuanda C. Jordan.
“Continuing our freeze strengthens our commitment to our students and opens the way for others to see this place, the National Public Honors College, as their college of choice.”
Performing Arts and Business Administration
Pending Maryland Higher Education Commission approval, two new majors are slated for a fall 2022 start date, performing arts and business administration.
Faculty members from music and theater worked together over the summer to put together a proposal for the performing arts major that includes a gateway course, an integrated capstone, and three concentrations (music, theater and integrated performing arts). The major replaces the former music, and theater, film & media studies majors. “We look forward to offering this new performing arts major, especially with it being unveiled along with a new performing arts building,” said Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Jeffrey Byrd.
For the business administration major, the College has contracted with a search firm specializing in higher education to assist in identifying the appropriate pool of candidates for the inaugural William Seale Professor of Business. Simultaneously, planning is underway to make sure enough of the entry level business administration courses are available for students wanting to begin the major this fall. “Students have been clamoring for a business administration major and the faculty have designed one that is rooted in the liberal arts tradition and ripe for interdisciplinary connections,” Byrd said.
In other business:
- The Board authorized, at the recommendation of its Campus Life Committee, a chosen name policy that allows students and employees to officially notify the College of their chosen first name. Students can submit a chosen name request form for review by the vice president of student affairs. Employees can submit a request to human resources. The chosen first name would be reflected within on-campus communication systems that do not require the use of legal names.
- The Board also approved a revised Student Trustee position description. The Student Trustee serves one year and can participate and vote in all Board meetings except in establishing or administering faculty or administrative personnel policy. The position description was developed by the Campus Life Committee to define the role, responsibilities, and benefits; provide guidance to the current Student Trustee and Student Trustee in Training; encourage qualified students to apply; and empower students who engage with the Board of Trustees in these roles to have meaningful experiences.
- The Board authorized revamping criteria for the Order of the Ark and Dove citation at the recommendation of the Trustee Governance Committee. The Order of the Ark and Dove citation was originally created in 1972 to honor those who have given distinguished service to St. Mary’s College. This citation is the highest honor the College can bestow.
