Rep. Garballey, Sen. Donoghue Chair Public Higher Education Meeting

Legislators and staff convened in the State House last Wednesday morning for a meeting of the Legislative Caucus on Public Higher Education. Members heard from the President of the University of Massachusetts, Martin T. Meehan on many issues facing UMASS and the Public Higher Education system as a whole. Centering on budgetary matters; topics included a review of past state budget appropriations, a breakdown of major cost drivers, a forecast of anticipated unavoidable expense growth, and an analysis of the economic benefits a large public higher education system provides to the Commonwealth.

President Meehan’s presentation highlighted the immense growth UMASS has experienced over the last decade and the international recognition UMASS has received for its role as an “innovation campus,” through its funding of groundbreaking scientific research. He also took the opportunity to cement his ongoing commitment to improving all facets of the UMASS system and, in turn, its national rankings among other higher education entities.

“I am grateful to the Higher Education Caucus for bringing all of us together for an important dialogue and exchange of ideas on ways to move forward on public higher education funding,’’ said UMass President Marty Meehan. “I especially want to thank Representative Garballey and Senator Donoghue for their continued support and advocacy for UMass and their recognition of the critical role that the University plays in the social and economic mobility of the Commonwealth and its residents.’’

Following his presentation, the Chairs of the Caucus, Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington) and Senator Eileen Donoghue (D – Lowell) led a lively Q & A session with attendees, giving Mr. Meehan a chance to underscore a key finding in a UMASS System Economic Contribution Analysis for Fiscal Year 13. An estimated $6.1 billion in economic activity was generated statewide thanks largely to the Commonwealth’s $519 million appropriation in FY13, representing a return roughly 12 times greater than invested. Many members of the legislature were present, including the members of the Medford legislative delegation; a sign of growing interest in investing more in public higher education.

The Caucus’s purpose is to present a united group of legislators devoted to improving access to quality public higher education for residents of the Commonwealth and for economic growth in the state, but as Rep. Garballey points out, “every two years this legislative body welcomes newly elected members and it is important not only to brief them on the status of public higher education in Massachusetts, but to re-orient ourselves and build consensus as we move forward in addressing major challenges ahead. I am grateful that President Meehan, with his extensive history in higher education and public service, could participate as keynote speaker.”

– Submitted by Rep. Garballey