As you may know, the state of Maryland supports The Johns Hopkins University through the Joseph A. Sellinger Program for Independent Colleges and Universities. Johns Hopkins and 17 other Maryland independent colleges and universities have received this assistance since 1972. This state support, while only a small part of our operating budget, is especially important to us because it provides unrestricted dollars that can be applied to a variety of critical needs. Sellinger Aid, for instance, helps us to provide student financial aid, to maintain our libraries, and to support student services. It allows us great flexibility to expand our offerings to both full-time and part-time students throughout Maryland.

In the last year, however, state budget cutbacks have fallen particularly hard on higher education, both public and private. Johns Hopkins' share of Sellinger Aid was reduced by $4.9 million last fiscal year, down below 1990 levels. We must join together to make it clear to members of Maryland's General Assembly that, without Sellinger funding, Johns Hopkins cannot possibly maintain at current levels the educational opportunities that mean so much to Maryland's citizens and its economy. We must tell them that we are counting on them to continue funding Sellinger Aid and start restoring past cuts.

Please take a moment to visit a Web site hosted by the Maryland Independent Colleges and Universities Association to sign a petition to your representatives in Annapolis asking that Sellinger Aid be fully funded in this year's budget.

The petition is at www.micuaconnection.com.

We also have online for you some additional background on the Sellinger program. See Sellinger Facts at a Glance and Why Sellinger Aid?.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

William R. Brody
President
The Johns Hopkins University