News Release, College of Southern Maryland
14 College of Southern Maryland Students Meet with Southern Maryland Delegation Members During Annual Advocacy Day Event
Community college students and presidents from around the state rallied in Annapolis on Feb. 4 before meeting with elected representatives to advocate for more robust state fiscal support of Maryland’s community colleges. The enthusiastic group of about 300 students, including 14 representatives from the College of Southern Maryland, came ready to both thank legislators for previous support, and to discuss their grievances related to the harmful effects anticipated from Governor Larry Hogan’s 2020
“The BRFA would cut our community colleges’ annual increase by 50 percent, and that’s on top of a series of cuts over the recent economic recession,” said Dr. Bernie Sadusky, executive director of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC). “We can understand funding cuts during bad economic times, but why this year? This year the state’s economic vitality doesn’t warrant it. The BRFA would also change our funding formula and make some forms of state support discretionary. It’s very problematic.” A recent editorial in The Baltimore Sun addressed the issue in detail.
Senators and delegates who attended the morning rally greeted students while sharing stories of their own experiences at community college. Legislators who addressed the students included Senators Mary Beth Carozza (Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester), Delores Kelley (Baltimore County), Katherine Klausmeier (Baltimore County), Cory McCray (Baltimore City), and Delegates Kevin Hornberger (Cecil) and Ken Kerr (Frederick).
Among CSM’s student representatives attending and meeting with members of the Southern Maryland Delegation were Maryland Promise Scholarship recipient Llana Coloma, CSM 2020 Alum Shekera Grayson, and Logan Steele as well as La Plata Student Association members Sydney Mitchell and Dylan Parham, Leonardtown Student Association members Morgan Hall, Angela Sherwood, and Elaina Sherwood, and Prince Frederick Student Association members Hayley Jesses, Gracie Knudson, Felicia McVey, Joan Popoopla, George Southworth IV and Sofia Walker.
During conversations with the elected members of the Southern Maryland Delegation and members of their staff, CSM students discussed their support for strong state funding to keep community college tuition affordable, transfer initiatives to improve community college student transfers to four-year colleges, the Community College Promise Program, funding support services for students with disabilities and for open educational resources.
The students also heard from Morgan Barton, a single mother and part-time student seeking an associate degree in early childhood education at Carroll Community College. Barton was introduced by the college president, Dr. James Ball, who applauded her many leadership, mentoring and community service activities. During her remarks, Barton said, “Maryland community colleges open a door to higher education, not just for current high school graduates, but for everyone.”
For photos of the event, visit https://csmphoto.zenfolio.com/20sad