University System Regents to Discuss Proposed Merger

The board of regents for the University System of Maryland will meet to discuss a proposed merger of the system's College Park institution and the Baltimore university that's home to schools in law, medicine and other fields.

A state Senate bill would unite the universities as one institution, called The University of Maryland, in the system.

A board announcement says regents will hold a special meeting Saturday morning at the system headquarters in Adelphi.

The regents rejected a College Park-Baltimore merger five years ago.

Supporters have said combining the campuses' research divisions now could raise the system's standing nationally, attract new grants and encourage the growth of new businesses in Baltimore. Critics say a merger could reduce the standing of the Baltimore institution.