University of Baltimore

Not to be confused with University of Maryland, Baltimore or University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

University of Baltimore
University seal
MottoKnowledge That Works
TypePublic university
Established1925; 99 years ago (1925)
Parent institution
University System of Maryland
AccreditationMSCHE
Academic affiliations
CUMU
Endowment$50.3 million (2020)[1]
PresidentKurt L. Schmoke
ProvostRalph Mueller[2]
Academic staff
159
Undergraduates
Postgraduates1,019 (2023)[3]
Location
Baltimore
,
Maryland
,
United States
CampusUrban
ColorsBlue[5]
 
MascotEubie the Bee[6]
Websitewww.ubalt.edu

The University of Baltimore (UBalt, UB) is a public university in Baltimore, Maryland. It is part of the University System of Maryland. UBalt's schools and colleges provide education in business, law, public affairs, and the applied arts and sciences.[7] The university is the location of one of Maryland's two law schools.

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]
A "guard dragon" sculpture at the Liberal Arts and Policy building watches the southern entrance.
A "guard dragon" at the Liberal Arts and Policy building watches the southern entrance.

Founded by a group of Baltimore business professionals, UBalt originally sought to provide educational opportunities for working men and women, meaning that the first classes were held not above the ornate dragons of the current liberal arts and policy building, but in a four-story rowhouse on St. Paul St. in 1925.

In 1937, after the addition of day programs to augment the initial night courses, a full-scale junior college was added to the university's offerings.[8] Other changes in the following decades included the construction of the Langsdale Library in 1966, according to an administrative history of the school.[9] In the 1970s, UBalt merged with Eastern College, Mount Vernon School of Law, and Baltimore College of Commerce.

During the presidency of Thomas Granville Pullen, the university became regionally accredited in 1971 with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and built the Langsdale Library.[10] For a three-decade period that started in 1975 and would eventually end in 2007, UBalt became an "upper division academic institution," offering only third and fourth year undergraduate and post-graduate course work. Also in 1975, ownership was assumed by the state of Maryland.

In 1988, the state merged UBalt into the new statewide university system, the University of Maryland System, which was later renamed University System of Maryland.[11]

Lower division Initiative and later developments

[edit]

The Lower Division Initiative was a program that began in 2005 to extend the University of Baltimore's position to once again offer the first two years of the baccalaureate degree. In April 2005, the University System of Maryland's board of regents approved plans that would allow UBalt to start accepting freshmen and sophomores. Under the original plan, freshmen and sophomore were to be admitted starting in the fall of 2006.

In a unanimous vote on February 15, 2006, the Maryland Higher Education Commission approved a revised mission statement submitted by the University of Baltimore, thus enabling the university to return to four-year undergraduate status. This was the same initiative that had received approval from the board of regents in 2005; however, the plan was revised slightly, calling for freshmen to be admitted in the fall of 2007.

The university stated that the new program better reflected the current focus and was designed to prepare students in business, pre-law, technology, public affairs, and applied liberal arts. It also said that it would offer freshmen "free" tuition for their first year, a benefit made possible by an anonymous private donor. An estimate stated that 140 freshmen were expected in the incoming class of fall of 2007.[12]

Near the time of the change, the university also changed the school colors and adopted the new slogan, "Knowledge That Works".[7]

Since beginning to accept freshmen again, UBalt has built a new, 12-story building for the university's law school along with the construction of additional residential capacity on campus. In May 2014, it was announced that Kurt L. Schmoke would become the university's eighth president, succeeding retired president Robert Bogomolny.[13]

As of 2022, the renovation of Langsdale Library, which was renamed to Robert L. Bogomolny Library, was complete. The renovation was designed by the German architectural firm Behnisch Architekten, which had also been responsible for the design of the 2013 law school structure at Charles St. and Mount Royal Ave.[14]

Starting in 2005, the university's MBA program has been the target of nearby institutions' criticism regarding a supposed diversion of funds, with UB's status as a traditionally white institution bringing calls for a restructuring of state funding. As of early 2022, that criticism was ongoing.

Academics

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The university offers numerous undergraduate, graduate, and professional as well as several certificate and joint degree programs. It offers 19 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs, spanning the arts and sciences, public affairs, and business.[15]

At the master's level, UBalt offers a Master of Public Administration (MPA), a Master of Business Administration (previously offered jointly with Towson University), and 13 Master of Science and 3 Master of Art degrees. The MPA program was the first in the state to be fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA);[16] it was also ranked #72 nationally in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 edition of "Best Grad Schools." Additionally, the university offers two Master of Fine Arts degrees. The Practitioner Specialization of the M.S. in Counseling Psychology program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council, and both the undergraduate and graduate programs in Criminal Justice are certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The university's Masters degree in Applied Psychology, Counseling Psychology concentration, is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). The law school offers a Master of Laws degree.[15]

At the doctoral level, UBalt offers a program leading to a research-based Doctor of Science degree in Information and Interaction Design.[17] UBalt also offers a Doctor of Public Administration. Through its law school, UBalt offers the Juris Doctor.

Colleges and schools

[edit]

The university is composed of multiple colleges and schools:[18]

Campus and student services

[edit]
Academic Center

The main campus is located in Baltimore's Mt. Vernon cultural district, close to downtown and the Inner Harbor. The Lyric Opera House, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) are nearby. For the most part, the main academic buildings surround the intersections of Mount Royal Avenue and North Charles Street. Gordon Plaza is at the center of campus.[19]

University buildings

[edit]

The buildings include:

  • H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons
  • The Academic Center
  • The Charles Royal Building
  • John and Frances Angelos Law Center
  • Robert L. Bogomolny Library
  • UBalt Student Center
  • William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center
  • The Liberal Arts and Policy Building

Student housing developments

[edit]

The university, the Bozzuto Group, and the Gould Property Co. entered into a public-private joint venture to develop UBalt's Bolton Yard parking lot into a mixed use development, including apartments, a UBalt student bookstore, other retail, and garage parking.[20] The project, which is named the Fitzgerald at UB Midtown, broke ground in 2008 and was largely complete by 2011.[21]

The Fitzgerald project was viewed at the time of its inception as a prelude to future public-private development projects—for instance more student housing.[20] To that end, an October 2010 announcement indicated that the university was planning an 11-story student housing tower, to again be built in partnership with a private company, according to The Baltimore Sun.[22] The student housing tower was largely complete by mid-2012.[23]

According to a 2014 Baltimore Sun article,[24] the university was considering building additional dormitory space on West Oliver Street, at the site of a facility currently used for postal vehicle maintenance. That development has yet to be named. According to a 2023 Baltimore Sun article,[25] the university intends to enter into a ground-lease arrangement with the development firm Zahlco for the eventual creation of apartments and ground-floor retail on the former postal site.

Police and public safety

[edit]

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and University of Baltimore (UBalt) began a public safety collaboration in the first quarter of 2022. All police officers on the UBalt campus are employed by the UMB Police Department (UMBPD). The UMBPD is a fully certified law enforcement agency through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC).[26]

UBalt maintains responsibility for campus security performed by unarmed, civilian security personnel known as the UBalt Safety and Security team. Uniformed officers from UMB — sworn, armed, and professionally trained and certified — are assigned to patrol the UBalt campus. At the same time, UBalt's Safety and Security staff provides building access and control, including office lockouts, welcome desk staffing, interior/exterior patrols, and more.[27]

Local transit

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UB LRT stop at Mt. Royal Ave. In the background is the Fitzgerald building, one of two new student residence facilities at UB.

Penn Station, with connections to Amtrak and MARC service, and a Light Rail stop, are just to the north of campus. The University of Baltimore/Mt. Royal station on the Baltimore Light Rail system is on the northwest edge of campus. The State Center station on the Baltimore Metro system is just a few blocks from campus. UBalt runs shuttle bus service between its academic buildings, parking garages, and the nearby public transportation/local transit stops.[28]

Satellite campuses

[edit]

In conjunction with the University System of Maryland, UBalt offers courses and several undergraduate and graduate degree programs[29] at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland.[30] Through a partnership with the College of Southern Maryland, UBalt offers the upper-level undergraduate coursework leading toward the bachelor's degree in business in Southern Maryland.[31] UBalt also offers online classes.

Student life

[edit]

UBalt has numerous academic clubs, student organizations, and an active student government;[32] as of May 2017, more than 90 were listed on the university's website.[33] The academic clubs usually sponsor a host of programs and speakers throughout the school year. Not all clubs are academic or sports-related, however: Clubs related to improv, crafting, religions, languages, and film are among the non-academic, non-sports options. The UB Post is the monthly student newspaper, which serves the purpose of keeping the general student population informed of upcoming campus activities, as well as relevant news. Run by students, it is available in print and online, and has been published since 1933. Leonard Robinson is the editor-in-chief.[34] A student-run press, Plork, provides additional printing experience for students majoring in fields related to media design, publishing, and writing, as does the university's 50-year-old literary magazine, Welter.[35] The Student Center is the central place for students—housing The Hive market and cafe, the UB Campus Pantry, the Interfaith Space, student government and organization offices, and study lounges.[36]

The University of Baltimore has not offered any varsity sports since 1983.

Student housing

[edit]

In the years 2012–2017, the number of UBalt students living near campus increased 134 percent.[37] Students have the option to reside in The Varsity, located on West Biddle Street 0.2 miles from the campus, or in other private complexes nearby.[38]

Campus recreation and wellness

[edit]

UBalt has an athletic/fitness center named Campus Recreation and Wellness, which is continually growing for the betterment of the university and surrounding community. It has an aerobics studio, a sparring/boxing room, two indoor racquetball courts, a well-equipped gym, a basketball court, and locker rooms. The Recreation Center, located on the third and fourth floor of the Academic Center, offers fitness classes free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis to all members and hosts the Sport Club and Intramural Sports teams.[39] At one time, UBalt owned and operated a golf driving range in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Baltimore. However, this facility has been leased to the city. Campus Recreation and Wellness seeks to serve the recreation, fitness, health, and leisure needs of the university community through instructional and competitive sport activities, including aerobics classes, golf lessons, intramural sports, informal recreation, and sport clubs. The Recreation Center facilities include basketball, racquetball, badminton and volleyball courts, weight and cardio rooms, aerobic and spinning studios, indoor golf cage, foosball, darts, Wii gaming system, as well as locker rooms and a sauna. The facilities are open to students, faculty, staff and Recreation Center members with valid UBalt BeeCards.

text
Edgar Allan Poe statue at the University of Baltimore

The UBalt men's lacrosse team won four USILA Division II national championships in four consecutive years, 1956–1959.[40]

Honor societies

[edit]

The university hosts chapters of several honor societies, including:[41]

Notable alumni

[edit]

Business

[edit]

History, journalism, media, and the arts

[edit]

Mathematics, sciences and technology

[edit]
  • James Howard – mathematician
  • Jeffrey Kluger – Senior Writer for TIME magazine specializing in science coverage; author of books including Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, on which the 1995 movie Apollo 13 was based
  • Celeste Lyn Paul – user interface design expert, KDE Usability Project head, president of HacDC

Politics, law and government

[edit]

Sports

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Academic Affairs". About UB. University of Baltimore. Retrieved July 19, 2018.[self-published source]
  3. ^ a b "About UB". University of Baltimore. Spring 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2023.[self-published source]
  4. ^ "About University of Baltimore". University of Baltimore. Spring 2017. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017.[self-published source]
  5. ^ "University of Baltimore Identity". Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  6. ^ "Meet Eubie, the University of Baltimore Bee!". ubalt.edu.
  7. ^ a b "About UB". University of Baltimore. 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  8. ^ "University of Baltimore campus master plan – history" (PDF). ubalt.edu. DBI Architects, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  9. ^ "Administrative History of the University of Baltimore" (PDF). Archives.ubalt.edu. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  10. ^ "Presidential History of UofB". University of Baltimore. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  11. ^ "History of the University of Baltimore". Ubalt.edu. Archived from the original on August 8, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  12. ^ "The University of Baltimore Newsroom". Ubalt.edu. February 15, 2006. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  13. ^ Anderson, Nick (May 14, 2014). "Schmoke named president of U. of Baltimore". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  14. ^ "Renovation Project – University of Baltimore". April 23, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved 2016-08-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  15. ^ a b ""Academic Programs"".
  16. ^ "The University of Baltimore » Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts". Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  17. ^ "D.Sc. in Information and Interaction Design – University of Baltimore". Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  18. ^ "The University of Baltimore » University of Baltimore Academic Programs". Archived from the original on June 23, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  19. ^ "Campus Map – University of Baltimore". Ubalt.edu. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  20. ^ a b "Bolton Yard Development Approved, Study to Consider Other Student Housing - News". Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  21. ^ "The University of Baltimore Newsroom". Ubalt.edu. September 12, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  22. ^ "University of Baltimore plans student apartment building in midtown". Baltimore Sun. October 7, 2010. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  23. ^ "Housing". University of Baltimore. 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  24. ^ Dresser, Michael (March 20, 2014). "University of Baltimore land swap approved". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  25. ^ LeBoeuf, Sabrina (May 18, 2023). "University of Baltimore-owned land to be developed into retail, residential spaces in $159M project". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  26. ^ "UMB/UBalt Public Safety Partnership".
  27. ^ "UBalt Message".
  28. ^ "UB Shuttle Bus Service". Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
  29. ^ "The University of Baltimore » UB's Programs at the Universities at Shady Grove". Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  30. ^ "The Universities at Shady Grove". Shadygrove.umd.edu. November 12, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  31. ^ "College of Southern Maryland – CSM-University of Baltimore Partnership". Csmd.edu. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  32. ^ "The University of Baltimore » Student Organizations". Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  33. ^ "Student Organizations – University of Baltimore". Ubalt.edu. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  34. ^ "The UB Post". The UB Post. Archived from the original on May 20, 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  35. ^ "About Plork Press – bookiness". Bookiness.wordpress.com. May 26, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  36. ^ "The University of Baltimore » University of Baltimore Student Center". Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-26.
  37. ^ "UB Housing". Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  38. ^ "Varsity on Biddle". Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  39. ^ "Welcome to Campus Recreation and Wellness at the University of Baltimore". Ubalt.edu. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  40. ^ Weyand, Alexander M.; Roberts, Milton R. (1965). The Lacrosse Story. Baltimore: H. & A. Herman. pp. 204–238, 351–356.
  41. ^ "The University of Baltimore » Academic Honor Societies". Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  42. ^ Bishop, Tricia (June 4, 2013) "Angelos donates $1 million to UB Law", The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  43. ^ "Tom Condon". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  44. ^ Bishop, Tricia (October 1, 2013) "Go Daddy founder donates $1 million to UB for veterans center", The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  45. ^ "Stan White". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  46. ^ "Spiro Agnew". United States Congress Biographical Directory of the. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  47. ^ "Curt Anderson". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  48. ^ "Dale Anderson". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  49. ^ "John S. Arnick". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  50. ^ "Carville Benson". United States Congress Biographical Directory of the. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  51. ^ "H. Steven Blum". fau.edu. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
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  53. ^ "James W. Campbell". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  54. ^ "Jill P. Carter, Maryland State Senator".
  55. ^ "J. Joseph Curran, Jr". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  56. ^ "Terry R. Gilleland, Jr". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  57. ^ "Glen Glass". Maryland Manual Online. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  58. ^ "J. B. Jennings". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
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  60. ^ "Frank Kratovil". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
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  62. ^ "Richard Meehan". Town of Ocean City Maryland. Archived from the original on April 20, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  63. ^ "C. Edward Middlebrows". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  64. ^ "Donald E. Murphy". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  65. ^ "Catherine Curran O'Malley". governor.maryland.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  66. ^ "Bishop L. Robinson". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  67. ^ "Dutch Ruppersberger". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  68. ^ "William Donald Schaefer". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  69. ^ "John F. Slade III". Maryland State Archives. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  70. ^ "Frederic N. Smalkin". mdd.uscourts.gov. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  71. ^ Berkow, Ira. "Red Holzman, Hall of Fame Coach, Dies at 78", The New York Times, November 15, 1998. Accessed September 15, 2008.
  72. ^ "Howard "Chip" Silverman". ubalt.edu. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  73. ^ "NBA/ABA Players who attended University of Baltimore". databaseSports.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2006. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
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39°18′20″N 76°37′1″W / 39.30556°N 76.61694°W / 39.30556; -76.61694

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