Nuts & Bolts: Investment in Public Higher Education is Investment in Us

9/11/2023

Dear Members,

The first Nuts & Bolts of the new academic year includes an update on the Anti-Racism grants and focuses on the lack of state investment in higher education.

Anti-Racism Grants

FSU will award $45,000 in Anti-Racism Grants funding in AY 2023-24 (see Article 26.6.1.(a).2 of the contract for more information).  Look out for the Call for Applications on September 15^th.

Public Education Funding

Public higher education funding is woefully inadequate.  The lack of public investment in the Commonwealth’s future impacts students and faculty, librarians, and staff.   Fifty years ago, new campus buildings were paid for through the state budget.  Today, each campus incurs these costs resulting in higher student fees which adds to student costs and eventually their debt.    

The lack of investment impacts the recruitment and retention of faculty, librarians, and staff.  Many of you know at least one colleague who has left.

The Cherish Act (H1260, S 816) is a step in the right direction by funding public higher education (community colleges, state colleges/universities and the UMass system) in four key areas:

Debt-Free Public Higher Education: Establishes a financial aid policy that caps student employment at 30 hours per week.

Increased Student Supports:  Dedicates funds for programs that support and promote student success.

Recruit and Retains High-Quality Faculty, Librarians and Staff to Support Students:  Increase staffing in student support such as advising.  Establishes fair wages to bring the best to campus.

Investments in Long-Term and Sustainable Campus Infrastructure:  The Commonwealth pays a larger share of capital projects.

What can you do?

Join us on Thursday, September 14^th 12:00-1:15 for a BOSTON STANDS UP FOR THE CHERISH ACT" Lunch with Legislators in ISC 3300.   Hear students, staff, librarians, and faculty tell how Cherish can and will impact them and UMB.   State legislators, including those who represent Boston, have been invited and some are attending.  Come to hear how better funding can make UMB a better place for students and for us.  

We do ask you to rsvp for a food count.  To learn more and to register go to   https://www.mobilize.us/massteacher/event/577948/    The event is sponsored by the FSU, CSU, GEO, and PSU.

Attend the September 18^th CHERISH ACT Hearing before the Joint Committee on Education, 10AM to 1PM, Gardner Auditorium, State House.  We want to fill the room. Colleagues across all campuses will be there.   Listen (and maybe cheer) to testimony.   We even have a bus leaving campus to take you there (and back, too).  To register go to  https://www.mobilize.us/massteacher/event/570490/ (box lunch provided) and sign up for the bus click here.

As of last week, there were 107 legislator sponsors.  The more sponsors the better.  If you cannot attend an event, you can submit written testimony https://forms.office.com/r/MefFzJEUSC

September 11^th is Patriot Day and designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.   

Volunteer opportunities can be found at both https://www.americorps.gov/serve/volunteer/911-day and

https://911day.org/ .  May we never forget.

Sincerely,

Caroline Coscia                                 

FSU President                                   

Senior Lecturer II                               

Political Science Department