UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS


The University of Maryland, College Park, began as the Maryland State College of Agriculture in 1856 and achieved status as a land-grant college in 1865. It merged in 1920 with the Baltimore professional schools to form the University of Maryland with campuses at Baltimore (UMAB) and College Park (UMCP) (Chapter 480, Acts of 1920). The University of Maryland was designated a national sea grant college in 1983.

The College Park campus became part of the University of Maryland System when it was created in 1988 (Chapter 246, Acts of 1988). In 1997, when the System was renamed the University System of Maryland, the University was styled University of Maryland, College Park (Chapter 114, Acts of 1997).

At the University of Maryland, College Park, instruction in almost every discipline is offered. The College Park campus holds nine colleges: Agriculture and Natural Resources; Arts and Humanities; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Education; Health and Human Performance; Journalism; Library and Information Services; and Life Sciences. It also includes the Schools of Architecture; Business; Engineering; and Public Affairs.

Among many other research and public service units on campus are the Center on Aging, Institute for Applied Agriculture, Engineering Research Center, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Survey Research Center, Institute for Governmental Research, Transportation Technology Center, Urban Studies and Planning Program, and Water Resources Research Center.

RESEARCH & GRADUATE STUDIES

OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Computer & Space Sciences Building, Room 4401
College Park, MD 20742 - 2411

INSTITUTE FOR GOVERNMENTAL SERVICE
4611 Knox Road, Suite 205
College Park, MD 20742

The Institute for Governmental Service was created jointly in 1959 by the University of Maryland and the Maryland Municipal League. Then called the Maryland Technical Advisory Service, it focused on municipal government services. By 1965, it came to include county and State government matters. The Service was renamed the Institute for Governmental Service in 1981 to reflect this increased scope of its work.

The Institute provides technical assistance, consulting, and applied research to governments and nonprofit organizations in Maryland. Formerly under the Maryland Cooperative Extension, the Institute transferred to Research and Graduate Studies in July 1997.

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

1104 Symons Hall
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742 - 5565

Origins of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources date to 1856 when the University of Maryland, College Park started as the Maryland State College of Agriculture. Under the College, the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Maryland Cooperative Extension are centered at College Park.

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
1201 Symons Hall
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

The Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station was established in 1888 following passage of the federal Hatch Act in 1887. The Act made grants-in-aid available to the states for agricultural research. Now, both State and federal funds support this work, as well as research in food science, nutrition, aquaculture, rural sociology, and natural resources.

Within the University of Maryland System, the Agricultural Experiment Station was placed under the Maryland Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1990. When the Institute was abolished in 1993, the Station transferred to the College of Agriculture of the University of Maryland, College Park, reuniting the College with its traditional constituent parts, the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.

At College Park, the Agricultural Experiment Station has laboratories for research in the animal and plant sciences, agricultural engineering, agricultural and resource economics, rural sociology, human ecology, and social sciences. Station scientists and graduate students conduct research at three University of Maryland College Park colleges, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, and other institutions within the University System of Maryland. The Station also conducts field research at eleven off-campus sites. They are organized into four regional research and education centers: Western Maryland (Keedysville); Central Maryland (Clarksville, Ellicott City, Cherry Hill, Beltsville, Upper Marlboro); Upper Eastern Shore (Wye Mills, Chase); and Lower Eastern Shore (Salisbury, Princess Anne, Poplar Hill). These research programs work to sustain competitive and profitable agriculture in Maryland; develop technology for new and changing agriculture, aquaculture, and related industries; and develop scientific criteria and knowledge for addressing environmental and natural resource issues.

MARYLAND COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
1200 Symons Hall
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

The Maryland Cooperative Extension of the University of Maryland was authorized as the Cooperative Extension Service by federal and State laws in 1914 and is supported by federal, State and county funds (Chapter 247, Acts of 1914). In 1990, the Service was placed under the Maryland Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources and, in 1993, under the College of Agriculture. Since 1995, the Service has been overseen by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, College Park. In March 1999, it was renamed the Maryland Cooperative Extension.

The Extension informs and educates Marylanders about agricultural matters and pinpoints the needs and problems of people for further scientific research. As the statewide, out-of-the-classroom component of the University System of Maryland, the Extension is based in each county and Baltimore City. Locally, Extension agents work to improve agricultural profitability, promote economic stability, foster marine and aquaculture industries, and expand urban benefits of agricultural technology. Faculty are supported by State program specialists at the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; and four off-campus centers.

COLLEGE OF ARTS & HUMANITIES

1102 Francis Scott Key Hall
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742 - 7311

In 1919, the College of Arts and Humanities originated as the School of Liberal Arts. By 1921, it was elevated to the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1973, the College became the Division of Arts and Humanities, and, in 1986, received its present name.

COLLEGE OF BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES

2141 Tydings Hall
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences includes the departments of African-American Studies; Anthropology; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Economics; Geography; Government and Politics; Hearing and Speech Sciences; Psychology; and Sociology.

COLLEGE OF COMPUTER, MATHEMATICAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCES

A. V. Williams Building, Room 3400
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

The College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences started as the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Engineering. It received its present name in 1986.

Six departments offer programs in the College: Astronomy; Computer Science; Geology; Mathematics; Meteorology; and Physics.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Benjamin Building
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

In 1919, the College of Education began as the School of Education.

The College offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs through six departments: Counseling and Personnel Services; Curriculum and Instruction; Education and Leadership; Human Development; Measurements, Statistics, and Evaluation; and Special Education.

COLLEGE OF HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE

Building 255
Valley Drive
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

The College of Health and Human Performance began in 1949 as the College of Physical Education, Recreation, and Health. From 1973 until 1986, the College was part of the Division of Human and Community Resources. In December 1989, it reorganized under its current name.

Three departments make up the College: Family Studies, Kinesiology, and Public and Community Health. Within the College also is the Center on Aging.

COLLEGE OF INFORMATION STUDIES

Hornbake Library Building
Campus Drive
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742 - 4345

In 1965, the Graduate School of Library Science opened. It later was renamed the College of Library and Information Services, and became the College of Information Studies in July 2000.

MERRILL COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM

Journalism Building, Room 1117
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

The Philip Merrill College of Journalism was founded as a department in 1945 and became the College of Journalism in 1972. In 2001, it received its present name.

COLLEGE OF LIFE SCIENCES

1302 Symons Hall
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742 - 5568

Formed as the Division of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 1973, the College of Life Sciences reorganized under its present name in 1993. The College offers programs in biology, cell biology and molecular genetics, chemistry and biochemistry, and entomology.

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

Mowatt Lane & Campus Drive
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

The School of Architecture was initiated in 1967. The School offers an undergraduate program in Architecture; and graduate programs in Architecture, International Studies in Architecture, Historic Preservation, and Urban Studies and Planning.

SMITH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Van Munching Hall
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742

The Robert H. Smith School of Business formed by 1938 as the College of Commerce. It reorganized in 1942 as the College of Business and Public Administration. In 1998, the School of Business was named after Robert H. Smith, an alumnus, and benefactor.

CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Established in 1919, the School of Engineering became part of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Engineering in 1973. It reformed in 1986 as the School of Engineering. In 1994, the School was renamed for alumnus and benefactor, A. James Clark.

WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH CENTER
In accordance with the federal Water Resources Research Act of 1965, the Water Resources Research Center was formed at the University of Maryland in 1965 (42 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.). The federal law designates the Center as the water resources and technology institute in Maryland. Formerly under the College of Life Sciences, the Center transferred to the Clark School of Engineering in September 2001. The Center supports research and trains water scientists and engineers to develop new technology and methods for resolving local, State and national water resource problems.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

2101 Van Munching Hall
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD 20742 - 1821

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 Maryland Manual On-Line, 2002

November 5, 2002   
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