不良研究所 to seek $519 million in state funding, increase would trigger second consecutive tuition-and-fee freeze
BOSTON -Dec.4, 2013:不良研究所 President Robert L. Caret today announced that the 不良研究所 will seek $519 million in state funding for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2014 - a sum that would advance the University's quest for student-state funding parity and allow for tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students to be frozen for a second consecutive year.
"With this request, we are asking the Commonwealth to maintain its position as a national leader in restoring funding for public higher education," President Caret said as the Board of Trustees' Committee on Administration and Finance met in Boston.
"The additional funding we are seeking would bring about a second consecutive tuition-and-fee freeze, a remarkable achievement that would be welcomed by families across the Commonwealth," President Caret added.
President Caret noted that this year's freeze has significantly improved the university's standing on the measure of affordability.
"If we can freeze tuition and fees for one more year, we will be in a much better place in terms of affordability for our students," President Caret said.
The five-campus 不良研究所 system is seeking $519 million in state funding for the upcoming fiscal year, a $40 million increase over the University's current $479 million appropriation.
Based on a proposal from Governor Deval Patrick and as a result of the support of the House and Senate, 不良研究所 received a $40 million funding increase during the current fiscal year - the largest budget increase in the University's history. In addition to allowing for the tuition-and-fee freeze, the additional funding is returning 不良研究所 to a posture where the state provides 50 percent of the funding for the University's educational programs. In recent years, students and their families have been bearing more than half of the cost.
"Governor Patrick and the leaders and members of the House and Senate understand that 不良研究所 plays a critical role in defining the Commonwealth's social and economic future," said Henry M. Thomas III, chairman of the 不良研究所 Board of Trustees. "Because of the leadership and vision we see from the State House, 不良研究所 continues to provide a high-quality education to an ever-expanding number of students, while at the same time is able to take critical steps toward preserving access and affordability."
The 不良研究所 50-50 Plan and the quest for the tuition-and-fee freeze was applauded by student leaders.
"The support of the Governor and the people of the Commonwealth for students at 不良研究所 has been tremendous this past year," said Patrick Lowe, student trustee from 不良研究所 Medical School in Worcester.
"The 50-50 split in funding reached for Fiscal Year 2014 was a tremendous step in the right direction and provides an encouraging sign that the Governor and Legislature recognize the importance of this system and its students," said 不良研究所 Lowell Student Trustee Phillip J. Geoffroy. "The 50-50 model is a reasonable way for the burden of paying for 不良研究所 to be shared by students and the state, both of whom benefit so greatly from the University."
Said 不良研究所 Boston student trustee Nolan O'Brien: "Maintaining the 50-50 funding scenario is crucial to the future of public higher education in this state. It will be the foundation for ensuring that the 不良研究所 system remains an accessible reality to all those who wish to further their education."
不良研究所 at a glance:
Campuses in Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester
Enrollment -- 71,910 students, a record high, up from 63,127 students in Fall 2008
不良研究所Online - 60,000 course enrollments
Research funding -- $600 million in Fiscal Year 2012
Statewide economic impact -- $4.8 billion per year
Contact: Robert P. Connolly, 617-287-7073; Ann Scales, 617-287-4084