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PHENOM mostly operates at the state level. However, it is clear that what happens in Washington, especially during this economic crisis, will have huge repercussions in Massachusetts. In the spirit of "in every crisis lies an opportunity", PHENOM sent a letter like this to each member of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation on December 17, 2008: Dear Representative Frank, On behalf of the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM)[1], I want to thank you for your steadfast support for public higher education. As we know, access to a college education is critical in order for our citizens to compete in the 21st century economy, and our public colleges are a critical investment for our state and our country. As we look forward to Barack Obama’s inauguration, there are two specific things we hope you can place high on your agenda. 1. Higher Education as Part of Infrastructure. Any fiscal stimulus package, especially one that directs resources to the states, must look broadly at the concept of “infrastructure.” While fixing roads and bridges is important, the jobs created there are temporary and will go primarily to a certain sector of our population (men, mostly white). Investing in public higher education has a greater multiplier effect, generating more economic activity, than most other investments[2]. These investments need not and should not be limited to building projects. At least as important are additional funds for financial aid and campus operating budgets to ensure a high quality, affordable education for all. We hope you will urge your colleagues to think broadly, boldly, and long-term when Congress considers the next stimulus package.
2. A Big Step toward Free Community College
This has been a major goal of PHENOM’s and of Governor Patrick’s. We expect the Patrick administration to propose some small steps in this direction, but we also look to Washington for major help. President-Elect Obama has pledged to create a new American Opportunity Tax Credit worth $4,000 in exchange for community service. It will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. This is very exciting, and we hope you will do what you can to promote and support such a program. Thank you very much for considering these suggestions. We would be happy to meet with you at any time to discuss issues related to public higher education.
[1] Please see http://www.phenomonline for information about PHENOM, the largest and broadest organization advocating for public higher education in Massachusetts. [2] For example, $1 in direct investment in UMass generates more than $8 in economic activity (http://media.umassp.edu/massedu/econdev/umass_economic_impact.pdf) |
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The following legislation has been endorsed by PHENOM for Spring 2008:
An Act for a Program of Capital Improvements to the Public Higher Education System in the Commonwealth (S. 739)
This bill will allow the state to borrow two billion dollars for badly needed repairs and construction on all our campuses. There is a desperate need for this, since many facilities were built a half century ago. Many campuses have been forced to divert operating funds needed to teach students into building repair and replacement. Passage of this bill would help reverse the trends of escalating fees and insufficient hiring.
An Act Relative to Financial Aid (The Commonwealth Covenant) (S. 736)
This bill would establish a loan forgiveness program such that students who meet certain criteria would not have to repay designated portions of their loans - e.g. if they stay in Massachusetts and major in science, technology, math or engineering. This, together with increases in the financial aid portion of the budget, would be significant steps toward making public higher education more affordable for Massachusetts residents.
The bill received a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Higher Education on June 5th. $3.75 million was funded for this program in the Budget passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Senator O'Leary is looking for another $3.75 million in private funds to match what was given by the Commonwealth.
An Act Supporting Access and Excellence in Public Higher Education (S. 732, H. 1188)
These bills would implement various recommendations of the 2005 Senate Task Force on Higher Education, most notably closing the $400 million funding gap over the next 7 years to fully fund all the campuses. Besides providing a badly needed infusion of funds for all the campuses, each bill contains provisions that would slow the increase in tuition and fees.
An Act Relative to the Production and Pricing of College Textbooks (H. 1200)
This bill would address the exorbitant costs of textbooks by requiring publishers to "unbundle" textbooks from associated products such as CD-ROMs and workbooks By allowing students to purchase only what they need and providing greater transparency of pricing information, a significant cost saving for students would occur (with no cost to the state).
This bill was heard before the Joint Committee on Higher Education on October 2, 2007. The room was packed with students, organized by MassPIRG with assistance from PHENOM. It was reported out favorably the week after the October Hearing.
Adjunct Faculty Health Insurance Legislation (S. 1587)
There are thousands of adjunct faculty members at our colleges, many of whom teach at more than one campus. Their numbers are steadily increasing, and several hundred of them are without health insurance. This legislation would provide health insurance to adjunct faculty teaching four or more courses per year in the public higher education system in the state, providing increased stability and fairness to a large and growing sector of our workforce.
Bill was filed by Senator Richard T. Moore, Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. The bill was heard before the Joint Committee on Public Service on July 12, 2007.
An Act to Promote Educational Parity within Institutions of Higher Learning (H. 1197)
A small number of students who have attended and graduated from Massachusetts high schools are denied in-state tuition rates at public colleges. This legislation would eliminate this disparity for those who are not yet citizens or permanent residents but who would sign an affidavit pledging to apply for such status at the earliest possible opportunity.
Initially referred to the Joint Committee on Higher Education but has now been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. This legislation is sponsored by Rep. Marie St. Fleur, who is the Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. The Board of Higher Education released a report in April that described that only 400 Students would be affected by this bill and the passage of this legislation would bring an additional $2 million in revenue to the Commonwealth. The bill has not been scheduled for a hearing and its sponsors are also working with the Governor's Readiness Project and are hoping for a positive recommendation from that group. |
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