Dear Campus Community,
As we proceed through the middle of the fall semester, I am pleased to report the approval of several items by the College’s Board of Trustees during its October meeting. I also enjoyed the opportunity to share our progress regarding the implementation of the College’s current strategic plan – Excellence Reimagined: Honors at the Helm – which was approved by the Board this past May.
Some examples of this progress include:
- The development of a comprehensive communications and marketing plan to share the great work of our students, staff, and faculty with broader audiences;
- The initiation of our transition from Anthology to Workday for enterprise resource planning (ERP) purposes; and
- The improvement of various human resource processes, such as onboarding.
We have also made progress regarding implementation of the recommendations identified by last year’s Faculty & Staff Housing Task Force and the Shared Governance Working Group, such as the return of Staff Senate Reports during each regular Board meeting. Finally, since the last Board meeting in May, the College has also launched mySMCM, a new app which will enable real-time engagement and information sharing across campus. If you have not already done so, I highly encourage downloading and signing into mySMCM at your earliest convenience.
For a brief summary of the items approved by our Board this past weekend, please see below. Of course, I look forward to the opportunity to share more information with you, and to receive your feedback, as we continue to move forward.
Yours in service,
Rhonda Phillips, Ph.D., FAICP
President
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Action Item 2627-01: Revision of Financial Conflict of Interest for Research and Sponsored Programs Policy
The College’s financial conflict of interest policy is a key part of our research enterprise. It establishes requirements for the disclosure, review, and management of financial interests which may constitute a conflict of interest by individual campus community members, and is designed to ensure that financial interest neither compromise, or appear to compromise, the objectivity of research conducted at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The proposed revisions ensure compliance with applicable federal regulations regarding conflict of interest requirements, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies.
Action Item 2627-02: Approval of Technical Changes to the Faculty Bylaws
The College’s Faculty Bylaws articulate the policies, processes, and organization of faculty governance at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. These include the role of the College’s Provost, the Faculty Senate, and Department Chairs, the process for appointment and evaluation of tenure-track faculty, and the College’s commitment to academic freedom, among others. The Bylaws are regularly reviewed by the Faculty Senate to identify potential amendments and are brought before the Board as needed. These revisions make technical adjustments to reflect recent restructuring efforts by the College’s administration and to correct the evaluation process for College librarians and were unanimously approved by the faculty.
Action Item 2627-03: Revision of the FY27 Current Fund Operating Budget
As necessary to maintain a balanced budget, the Board approved a revised FY27 Operating Budget for the College to reflect updated enrollment, auxiliary revenue, and state funding projections. Importantly, this revised budget maintains key investments in both student-facing and back-office functions of the College which will enable us to continue providing a rigorous, honors-level liberal arts education in line with our mission and statutory charter at an affordable rate compared to our public and private sector peers.
Action Item 2627-04: Reconciliation of the FY26 Plant Fund Budget
The Board also approved a reconciliation of the plant fund budget for FY26, as provided. This approval followed a review of project schedules, as well as the incorporation of new projects for FY27 that the Board approved during its February 2026, meeting. These include upgrades to campus residence halls and signage, security and accessibility improvements, and repairs or renovations to the Hilda C. Landers Library, Goodpaster Hall, Campus Center and Tennis Courts. Seven major projects, each with a value exceeding $200,000, remain active, with a FY27 balance of $3.68 million. The FY26 plant fund activity was fully reconciled through fiscal year-end.
Action Item 2627-05: Revisions to the Background Check Policy (Criminal & Credit History)
The Board approved revisions to the College’s Criminal Background Check and Credit History Check Policy to strengthen our framework for conducting rigorous, individualized, and regulatory-compliant assessments of criminal and credit history information, and to formalize the governance structure for administering these assessments. The revised policy, effective November 1, 2026, establishes a dedicated Criminal Background and Credit History Review Committee; clarifies the positions subject to background and credit history screening; and incorporates current federal and Maryland fair-hiring requirements, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and EEOC guidance on the use of criminal history in employment decisions. The approved revised policy supersedes the Criminal Background Check Policy last revised in 2014.
Action Item 2627-06: Approval of the 2026 Performance Accountability Report
The Board approved the 2026 Performance Accountability Report for submission to the Maryland Higher Education Commission as required by the State of Maryland. The report assesses the College’s progress and outcomes related to a variety of goals and objectives, including academics, enrollment, retention and graduation rates, financial aid, and student outcomes. The report provides both data and narrative commentary from the College describing both our strengths and challenges as an institution of higher education. Maryland law requires institutions to submit their PAR to the Maryland Higher Education Commission for review, and for final submission to the Governor and General Assembly annually.
Action Item 2627-07: Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures
The Board approved a Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures that include standards of conduct and procedures that address complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation affecting students, faculty, staff, applicants, volunteers, contractors, visitors, and other participants in College programs and activities.
Action Item 2627-08: FY26 Facilities Condition Report
The Board approved the College’s Facilities Condition Report, an annual evaluation of the campus facilities and its findings regarding necessary functions or repairs. This report is conducted annually to identify capital projects for inclusion in future Physical Plant project schedules, as well as proposals to the Maryland Department of Budget & Management for inclusion in the Governor’s statewide Capital Improvement Plan.
