May 23, 2008

As Campuses Crumble, Budgets Are Crunched

By SCOTT CARLSON

When state officials, university administrators, or other visitors come to talk to Jack Baker about the challenges he faces with a backlog of maintenance at the University of Maryland's campus here, it helps to have tangible evidence. Rattling off a number like $620-million — the estimated cost of repairs needed at College Park — just doesn't convey the need like a rotted chunk of a building.

So on his windowsill, he keeps a foot-size piece broken off one of the

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