Bowie State University plans to cut nearly 80 jobs as it confronts an $18 million projected budget deficit for fiscal 2027 amid declining enrollment and rising costs. Leaders said the layoffs will eliminate vacant roles and involve structural reorganizations. The move follows Maryland state budget reductions affecting the University System and additional pressures, including declining state appropriations tied to HBCU designations and broader uncertainty around federal research funding. Enrollment forecasts for FY27 project a significant decline in student headcount, with officials linking the drop to lost tuition revenue. The university’s restructuring illustrates how state budget tightening is turning directly into workforce decisions—affecting staff capacity for instruction, student services, and essential technology investments.