It goes without saying that members of the University System of Maryland board of regents should hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct. Their actions set a precedent for students.
As the public faces of the university system, they also help to shape the image of the school. Attracting the state?s best and brightest requires a good reputation.
But a new law barring regents from political fundraising and running for office neither increases the morality of the board nor helps the system?s finances.
Instead, it disqualifies people like Richard Hug, the governor?s top fundraiser,from his seat and affects other prominent Republicans on the board. The law bars James Rosapepe, a Democrat on the board and a potential state Senate candidate, from running for office and keeping his volunteer position, too.
Funny that the legislature did not pass a law barring such behavior at other public higher education institutions in the state where prominent Democratic politicians serve. Rep. Steny Hoyer serves on the Naval Academy Board of Visitors. U.S. Senate candidate Kweisi Mfume serves on the board of regents at Morgan State University.
In an age where public universities must rely increasingly on private donations to meet their budgets, barring successful fundraisers from the board means less money for students, faculty and curricula. It also puts the school at a competitive disadvantage against a rival like the University of North Carolina, whose trustees operate without such restrictions. The law requires Michigan citizens to, ahem, elect University of Michigan regents, meaning the members of the board must commit the crime of fundraising and running for office. Imagine!
The rules already in place barring lobbying make no sense either.
If Maryland is going to exclude registered lobbyists from leadership of the university system, shouldn?t it also look at campaign contributions? Would they prohibit campaign donors as being too cozy with elected leaders? Lobbyists have a bad name, but the Constitution protects what they do.
The First Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law … abridging … the right of the people … to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Instead of barring fundraisers, lobbyists and elected officials from the board of regents, the General Assembly should instead require them to file quarterly reports detailing their activities. That way, faculty, students and all citizens of the state can hold them accountable for their actions.
