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Dear University of Maryland Community:

The University of Maryland will formally join the Big Ten Conference beginning with the 2014-15 academic year. We will also join the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), an academic and research consortium of Big Ten universities, beginning with the 2013-14 academic year. The academic, athletic and financial benefits are substantial, and President Loh has formed the President's Commission on UMD and Big Ten/CIC Integration to develop a transition plan to maximize those benefits. Workgroups have been formed to closely examine the integration in four key areas: Athletics; Communications, Fundraising and Marketing; Finance and Business Administration; and Education, Research and Innovation.

We will be hosting an Open Forum on Monday, April 8, 4:30 - 6:30 pm in the Grand Ballroom in Adele H. Stamp Student Union. Complimentary parking will be provided in the Union Lane Garage. At the Forum, President Loh will give welcoming remarks and the Chairs of each Workgroup will give short presentations on progress to date. Following the presentations, we will open the floor for comments and questions from attendees. Your input and feedback are an important part of making this transition and we hope that you can make plans to join us for the Open Forum.

For those that cannot join us in person, we have also established a Big Ten/CIC transition website at: http://www.umd.edu/Big_Ten/ The site includes information about the Big Ten and the CIC, FAQs, and an 'Ask the Commission' feature. We welcome comments and questions from the entire Maryland community.

The Commission has been charged with delivering a final report to President Loh by the end of June. On behalf of the alumni, students, faculty and staff that comprise the Commission, we would like to invite your participation in this important transition for our university. We look forward to seeing you on April 8.

Sincerely,

Linda Clement and Barry Gossett
Co-Chairs, President's Commission on UMD and Big Ten/CIC Integration

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University of Maryland Community by:
Office of the President