Bowie State University announced plans to eliminate 79 jobs as the Maryland public, historically Black university projects an $18 million fiscal 2027 budget deficit tied to declining enrollment and rising costs. The university said the cuts will include reductions through layoffs and structural reorganization, and it is addressing the gap without previous resort to layoffs that helped close a projected fiscal 2026 shortfall. The decision lands after Maryland legislators reduced state support, including a reduction to University of Maryland, College Park appropriations, and broader higher ed budget pressure connected to federal research funding disruptions and weaker investment earnings. Bowie State also said employee benefits, infrastructure, utilities, and “essential technology investments” are increasing. Enrollment pressures are compounding the budget situation: Bowie State projected 5,320 students for fiscal 2027, down from 5,970 in 2026 and 6,408 in 2024, a forecast officials said would reduce tuition and fee revenue by $5.8 million. The layoffs underscore how state budget actions and enrollment volatility are translating into workforce reductions at institutions dependent on appropriations and tuition in tight fiscal years.