Rep. Nick Collins is taking steps to protect the students and faculty at the University of Massachusetts-Boston by boosting funding, including providing money to prevent cuts at institutes and learning centers on the Dorchester campus.
“Protecting UMass-Boston is of paramount concern to me,” Collins said. “We have made significant investments in UMass-Boston and need to ensure that the promises we make are kept to the students and faculty there. This funding is crucial to that mission.”
Collins has filed two amendments to House Bill 4400 and is calling on his colleagues for swift approval. The first, which is co-sponsored by 12 House colleagues, would stipulate that the UMass system must fund UMass-Boston’s centers and institutes at the same levels as last year, as well as add $2.1 million in funding. These centers serve a variety of social and cultural purposes to the campus and beyond, and are key learning centers for underserved populations in Boston and beyond.
The second, which is co-sponsored by five representatives, would add $3 million to cover a projected budget shortfall and prevent any cuts.
“UMass-Boston is an important resource for all of Boston and the region,” Collins said. “I hope my colleagues will support this funding so UMass-Boston can continue to grow and thrive for generations to come.”
Image via UMass Boston
The institutional neglect of UMass-Boston is truly unbelievable. It could very easily grow to become a sister campus (and potentially more desirable) to Amherst. Why they continue to dump money into the middle of no where (Northwest MA) is beyond all of us. And don’t even get me started with the Mt. Ida debacle….if there ever was a perfect example of systematic incompetency…here it lies.
rampant out of control spending on patronage jobs and mismanged projects by Meehan should be addressed before another cent is thrown Umass’ way
Perhaps Rep. Collins can also help save the Clark Athletic Center and very importantly the pool which the planners have threatened to demolish. Both serve the university and the people of Boston. Lots of serious athletes as young as 6 and as old as seniors train there. It has been an affordable alternative to help parents from all over the city keep their kids focused on staying fit and getting good grades. My son has been training with Richard Mojica, an Olympic level coach at UMass for several years now. He and the other kids on his team would never have had the benefit of this training if it weren’t for this pool. Countless non-profits depend on this pool and it would be devastating to lose it. This Olympic size pool facility has 2 diving boards. Although it admittedly could use a minor facelift, the cost to renovate it is minimal compared to the loss that will be felt if it was demolished. The building is structurally sound and the pumps are in great shape. It could just use some cosmetic love like new tile etc. In addition, the pool and the Clark Center will act as a benefit lightning rod to draw potential students to the UMass Boston campus. A facelift would make it even more desirable. Those of us who use the U MASS pool would be happy even without a renovation as long as we can continue to use it. We depend on it. As city people, it is an affordable alternative for all Boston swimmers and athletes. Please stop UMass from demolishing it. Please help us save our pool. It’s the only local Olympic pool of its kind located between Southie and Dorchester. Please sign the petition. https://www.change.org/p/chris-giuliani-save-the-umass-boston-pool