March 14, 2003

Dear Faculty and Staff:

I am writing to ask for your help on an issue of great importance to Johns
Hopkins.

Maryland's state government is working to close a budget deficit this
fiscal year and an even larger projected shortfall, $1.2 billion, for the
fiscal year that starts in July.

Like state agencies and programs and private agencies throughout the state,
Johns Hopkins and other private colleges and universities have been asked
to absorb significant cuts in our state support. We have accepted those
cuts, which amount to a 13 percent reduction for Johns Hopkins. We
understand that these are difficult times and that everyone -- Johns
Hopkins most definitely included -- must do their part.

Now, however, there is a proposal before the General Assembly to make
draconian additional cuts to the Joseph A. Sellinger Program, through which
the state provides vital support to independent colleges and universities
throughout Maryland. Under this proposal, Sellinger funding would return to
1992 levels. For Johns Hopkins, it could result in the loss of an
additional 50 percent of our state support.

If the General Assembly adopts these further reductions to Sellinger
Program funding, adding dramatically to the cuts already contemplated, it
risks irreparable harm to Johns Hopkins and to our students.

Other private colleges in the state report that further reductions in
Sellinger funding may require them to cut financial aid budgets,
significantly raise tuition, cut programs or increase class sizes. Johns
Hopkins has not yet completed its financial analysis of the university-wide
impact of the proposed cuts, but they could amount to some $9 million and
they would hurt.

At the same time, however, the state would be risking severe additional
damage to its already fragile economy. Why? Because Johns Hopkins, making
the most of the relatively modest aid it receives from the state:

* has added 1,000 jobs in Maryland in each of the past three years.
* attracts talented students, research partners and federal research
dollars into Maryland.
* generates, directly or indirectly, one of every 28 dollars in the state's
economy, for a total annual economic impact of $7 billion.

Additional cuts in Sellinger Program funding will severely impair our
ability to make those vital contributions to the state's economic well-being.

Would you please help us by communicating your concern about these proposed
cuts to Gov. Ehrlich and to key legislators, including Speaker Michael
Busch of the House of Delegates and Senate President Mike Miller? Encourage
them not to make further cuts to the Sellinger Program.

A sample letter can be found at
http://www.jhu.edu/president/faculty-staff-letter

Please feel free to revise it or to use your own words. That Web page also
contains addresses for Speaker Busch, President Miller and other
legislators who are particularly influential in this debate.

If you have any questions, or need assistance with these letters, please
contact Bret Schreiber at (410) 269-0057. Thank you for your support of
Johns Hopkins.

Sincerely,

William R. Brody