Communications

The University of Maryland ranks No. 19 among the nation’s top public institutions in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Colleges edition released today. UMD jumped from No. 24 from last year on that list and from No. 64 to 58 among national universities in the rankings, frequently used by prospective college students and their families navigating the application process.

Today, we write to you all to share the latest update that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the university budget. We want to assure you that our decisions are being guided by a commitment to sustain the excellence of our education, research and service missions, protect the health, safety and well-being of our campus community, and minimize the impact to the most vulnerable of our community.

Based on a careful evaluation of a comprehensive list of factors, today I announce that we will proceed with our cautious, phased approach to the resumption of limited undergraduate in-person instruction on Monday, September 14 as planned. This represents approximately 15% of undergraduate classes offered this fall at the University of Maryland.

In one of my first official duties as President, I outlined five initiatives and recommendations designed to create a more inclusive environment at the University of Maryland. Those announcements were just the beginning of our commitment to build a multicultural campus of excellence. Today, I am pleased to build further upon that commitment.

Our collective behavior this weekend is critical. By next week, we will determine if the conditions are right to resume in-person classes. If necessary, we will change plans immediately. To make this work - and avoid pivoting to virtual instruction - we ask that you continue to cooperate rigorously with our 4 Maryland healthy behaviors over the forthcoming three-day weekend. This will be the ultimate test of whether we can rise to the challenge and stay together this fall semester

For over 160 years, the University of Maryland has proudly served the citizens of our state and the world. I have been fortunate enough to be part of this community for more than 25 of those years. Today, we officially begin the Fall 2020 semester, which will be like no other in our storied history.