State officials in Maryland are developing regulations for the committee responsible for reviewing the process through which the Maryland Higher Education Commission will consider proposals for new academic programs at state universities. The committee is expected to be established this fall, and one of its initial tasks will be to determine the number of members it will have.

The Program Review Process Advisory Council was created as a result of a state law that took effect this month, aiming to enhance the approval process for new higher education programs at state universities.

It was established following a contentious decision by the MHEC in June 2023 to permit Towson University to introduce a new business analytics degree. This move was opposed by Morgan State University, one of Maryland’s four historically Black colleges and universities, on the grounds that it would duplicate a similar program offered at their institution.

Subsequently, alumni and supporters of other HBCUs criticized the decision, claiming that it violated a $577 million settlement approved in 2021 to resolve a 2006 lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that the state favored predominantly white institutions by providing them with more resources and allowing for the replication of programs offered by Morgan State University, as well as the three other HBCUs – Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Emily Dow, assistant secretary for academic affairs at MHEC, said last Wednesday that the size of the advisory council has not been established, but its composition could include college and university presidents, provosts, and other campus staff. One example of the council’s duties would be to review the process of academic online programs primarily focused on out-of-state students.

“We would turn to this advisory council to help us develop that process,” Dow said. “We are the rules? What information do we need? What’s the timeline? That’s just one example of what this process advisory council would review.”

Proposed bylaws for the council could be reviewed by MHEC on July 24. If approved, the commission would send out a call for nominations to serve on the council, to have its first meeting by the end of September.

“Our biggest goal is representation, ensuring that our community partners are at the table as we develop these processes – both the development of the process and the process itself is transparent,” Dow said.

In April 2023, Gov. Wes Moore (D) appointed MHEC Secretary Sanjay Rai and in July 2023 he appointed eight people to the MHEC board of commissioners – a near-total overhaul of the commission since the Towson-Morgan State decision.

“Definitely a new energy. New support. It’s a new day, as Secretary Rai says,” Dow said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the students.”