MD lawmakers cite ‘misunderstanding’ in retracting right of first refusal for UMD, 4 HBCUs

In a recent letter to Maryland’s higher education secretary, state legislators walked back their approval of a right of first refusal for certain academic programs beginning July 1, writing that a “misunderstanding” led to its passage last month. Under a bill that Gov. Wes Moore is expected to sign into law in the coming weeks, the University of Maryland, College Park, and the state’s four historically Black institutions — the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Bowie State University, Coppin State University and Morgan State University — will have a right of first refusal for new graduate programs focused on emerging workforce needs.