System officials say the proposed budget reduction would directly affect students and the Maryland economy. “We fear unfilled faculty positions will grow our faculty to student ratios and impair students' abilities to graduate on time,” Perman said. “Because we’re responsible for so much of Maryland’s workforce, we’re concerned about the impact of our reduced capacity on the state’s most urgent workforce needs: STEM, health care and teaching.” Many universities will look to eliminate student-facing positions, such as advising, counseling, mental health services, career services and academic support positions, Perman said.
