USMSC advises the Chancellor, Board of Regents, and elected officials and represents 172,000+ students in the University System of Maryland's 12 institutions and three regional higher education centers. The USM Student Council represents the nearly 180,000 students in the University System of MD to the Chancellor, Board of Regents, and elected officials. Created to assist the Chancellor, the USMSC
derives its authority from the Board of Regents. Each degree-granting institution in the USM has two representatives on the USMSC. The USMSC meets monthly throughout the school year and functions as a network for sharing ideas and concerns of general interest to students. The Council transmits to the Chancellor its majority and minority views on behalf of its constituent student bodies. Thus helping to ensure that the USM leadership is aware of students' perspectives and responsive to students' concerns and issues. The primary function of the USMSC is to advise the Chancellor, Board of Regents, and elected officials on issues, matters, and policies having a direct bearing on students and student affairs of the USM as a whole. Among the specific responsibilities of the USMSC is the recommendation to the Chancellor each year, for transmittal to the Governor, of a group of nominees for the position of USM Student Regent. The Council has, in the past, provided input on issues ranging from tuition policy to SAT score reporting and academic advising. In keeping with its proactive nature, the Council will propose new policies and policy changes to both the Chancellor and the Board of Regents, as well as review other proposed plans.
