New Bill Could Dramatically Change College Admissions for Maryland Public Universities

Last Updated on January 27, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

New Maryland Legislation Aims to Change Admission Policies for State Universities

In an effort to address the ongoing issue of diversity in college admissions, new legislation has been proposed in Maryland that could have far-reaching effects on the state’s public universities. Senate Bill 5, introduced by Senate President Pro Tem Malcolm Augustine, focuses primarily on the University of Maryland system, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

The proposed legislation aims to guarantee admission spots to students in the top 10% of each high school class, regardless of whether the high school is public or private. This would ensure that the most academically successful students have a guaranteed pathway to these prestigious institutions.

This legislation comes in response to a Supreme Court ruling last year, which found that affirmative action in college admissions violated the 14th amendment’s equal protection clause. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to maintain diversity at Maryland’s schools, especially given the court’s ruling. By reserving spots for top-performing students across all high schools, the legislation seeks to create a more level playing field for all applicants.

The schools included in the legislation are the University of Maryland Baltimore, University of Maryland College Park, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Maryland Global Campus, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Frostburg State University, Salisbury University, Towson University, University of Baltimore, Morgan State, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

However, critics of the legislation argue that it may not actually improve diversity on college campuses. Shannon Gundy, assistant vice president of enrollment management at the University of Maryland College Park, cited a university study that showed a majority of top 10% students in Maryland’s graduating classes are white and Asian. Therefore, these critics argue, implementing this policy may not significantly expand diversity among the student body.

The legislation is still in the discussion stage and has yet to be passed. It remains to be seen whether the proposed changes to admission policies will be implemented in Maryland’s public universities. Nevertheless, the introduction of this legislation demonstrates the ongoing efforts to address and improve diversity in higher education.