Municipal boards voice support for public higher ed
Municipal boards voice support for public higher ed
The city councils in Haverhill, Lowell and Salem are the first three municipal bodies to pass resolutions supporting Gov. Maura Healey’s DRIVE Act, which aims to minimize the harm being caused by federal funding cuts to public and private higher education.
DRIVE will use up to $400 million in state funds, including $200 million generated by the Fair Share Amendment for public colleges and universities, to offset federal cuts to higher education. While Governor Healey is earmarking funding for research, public higher education advocates are urging the Legislature also to use state funds to reverse federal cuts to vital student support programs, such as TRIO, which assists first-generation and low-income students.
DRIVE will use up to $400 million in state funds, including $200 million generated by the Fair Share Amendment for public colleges and universities, to offset federal cuts to higher education.
“Massachusetts is a national leader in defending high-quality, accessible public colleges and universities. We support the Healey administration’s immediate action to minimize the disruptions and harm the Trump administration is attempting to inflict on higher education and urge lawmakers to act with urgency for the sake of our students and communities,” said MTA President Max Page.
MTA members working at public colleges and universities brought forward the idea to engage local communities in the fight to protect higher education.
The DRIVE act is pending before the Legislature. MTA activists and their allies are presenting resolutions to city councils, select boards and school committees across the state, seeking to demonstrate the importance of public higher education to every community in the Commonwealth. Once approved, resolutions are delivered to state senators and representatives.
The resolution articulates the need for high-quality, affordable access to public higher education as vital to the quality of life in Massachusetts. The resolution recognizes the importance of public colleges and universities to maintaining a skilled workforce and as a vital tool in establishing social, economic and racial justice in the Commonwealth. The resolution further notes the life-saving research happening at public universities that benefit people all over the world.
It calls on legislators to not only take immediate action to address federal funding cuts but also consider long-term plans.
The resolution states that the municipal board “urges the state Legislature and governor to strategically increase funding for public colleges and universities to lessen their reliance on grants, privatization and student tuition and fees; be it resolved that (this board) supports Massachusetts having public colleges and universities that students can attend without incurring debt and that provide the salaries and benefits necessary to retain and attract the faculty and staff needed to maintain the quality of education our state deserves.”
The city councils in Lowell and Haverhill passed resolutions on Sept. 23, and the Salem City Council passed one on Sept. 25. Municipal boards in Somerville, Easthampton and South Hadley are scheduled to vote on the resolution over the next few weeks, while MTA members across the state are seeking to have similar votes take place this fall.