(a)    The University System of Maryland shall provide through its various campuses and programs a continuum of educational services, including undergraduate education, graduate education, professional programs, and research.

(b)    The goal of the University System of Maryland is to achieve and sustain national eminence with each component fulfilling a distinct and complementary mission.

(c)    The University System of Maryland shall:

(1)    Promote excellence at each campus, in accordance with the skills of the faculty, the needs of the region, and the academic programs offered;

(2)    Develop a mission for each campus which builds upon the unique strength of the campus and embodies a diversity of programs;

(3)    Recruit and retain nationally and internationally prominent and diverse faculty members;

(4)    Actively pursue research funding and private support;

(5)    Promote economic development by creating a well educated work force through undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, targeted research, education extension services, and technical assistance;

(6)    Increase access for economically disadvantaged and minority students;

(7)    Stimulate outreach to the community and the State through close relationships with public elementary and secondary schools, business and industry, and governmental agencies;

(8)    Encourage collaboration among institutions for the benefit of the students; and

(9)    Address and respond to continuing higher education needs in order to maintain an educated work force in the State.

(d)    (1)    The Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland shall appoint a Chancellor who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the University System of Maryland and the Chief of Staff for the Board. The Chancellor and the staff of the Board shall serve as coordinators and system planners for the University System of Maryland.

(2)    The Chancellor shall:

(i)    Advise the Board of Regents on systemwide policy;

(ii)    Conduct systemwide planning;

(iii)    Coordinate and arbitrate among the institutions and centers of the University System of Maryland;

(iv)    Assist the institutions in achieving performance goals in accordance with the Accountability Reporting Program; and

(v)    Provide technical assistance to institutions and centers such as legal and financial services.

(e)    Each campus of the University System of Maryland shall have a president who is the chief executive officer of the institution.

(f)    The University System of Maryland shall:

(1)    Maintain and enhance the University of Maryland, College Park Campus as the State’s flagship campus with programs and faculty nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in research and the advancement of knowledge;

(2)    Admit as freshmen to the University of Maryland, College Park Campus highly qualified students who have academic profiles that suggest exceptional ability;

(3)    Provide access to the upper division undergraduate level of the University of Maryland, College Park Campus for students who have excelled in completing lower division study; and

(4)    Provide the University of Maryland, College Park Campus with the level of operating funding and facilities necessary to place it among the upper echelon of its peer institutions.

(g)    The University System of Maryland shall maintain and enhance a coordinated Higher Education Center for Research and Graduate and Professional Study, in the Baltimore area based on the joint graduate and research programs of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus and the University of Maryland Baltimore County, which is one of the State’s research institutions.

(h)    The University System of Maryland may recognize University College as a campus for continuing higher education.