O'Malley Supports Merging Md. Universities
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Martin O'Malley says he strongly supports the idea of merging the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
O'Malley said Friday he doesn't see the benefit of the two being separated.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller recommended the idea earlier this week. A proposal for the University System of Maryland Board of Regents to study how a merger could be carried out has been included in Senate budget language.
College Park is the state's flagship institution of public higher education with more than 37,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Baltimore has more than 6,000 students and is home to seven professional and graduate schools.
Supporters say it would make Maryland more competitive with other public colleges and universities in attracting research grants and contracts.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
