| Poll Confirms Strong Public Support for Private Colleges and Universities |
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MICUA October 9, 2009
A recent poll confirms that Maryland voters believe in State support for private, nonprofit colleges and universities. In September, Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies released the results of a statewide poll of registered Maryland voters showing overwhelming support for the current system of State grants to private colleges and universities.
When given the facts about funding for higher education, 69% of State voters favor the continuation of a program in Maryland that provides State funds to private, nonprofit colleges and universities. Support for the private option for higher education transcends political parties with 62% of Democrats, 62% of Republicans, and 78% of Independent voters saying Maryland should continue its partnership with private colleges. Furthermore, support for the program comes from every region of the State: Eastern Shore, Baltimore City, Baltimore suburbs, Washington suburbs, and Western Maryland.
Based on the Gonzales poll, 61% of State voters support using private institutions to provide services in higher education and healthcare to help close Maryland’s budget deficit. “Simply put, State support for private colleges and universities is in the best interests of the taxpayers of the State,” says MICUA President Tina Bjarekull. “Marylanders have embraced this partnership for more than 225 years.”
The State’s first higher education grants were awarded in 1784 to Washington College and St. John’s College, both private institutions. Throughout its history, Maryland has provided financial support to its private colleges and universities through various programs. Today, the State provides grants to 15 eligible private colleges and universities through a formula known as the Sellinger Program. The majority of the Sellinger funds are used by private colleges and universities to provide financial aid to Maryland residents. With this assistance, Maryland’s private institutions serve 52,000 students at low taxpayer costs and award about one-quarter of all degrees conferred in Maryland.
According to the Gonzales report, 64% of Maryland voters recognize the efficiencies realized by using private, nonprofit colleges to provide higher education services at low taxpayer cost. A majority of voters in every region of the State say “Maryland’s investment in its private colleges and universities is an effective use of taxpayers’ dollars.”
The Gonzales poll was commissioned by the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA) and conducted during the week of September 8 through 17, 2009. A total of 833 registered voters in Maryland were interviewed by telephone. The margin of error, according to customary statistical standards, is no more than plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. To view the complete poll report, click here. |