Vice President for Strategic Communicationsand University of MassachusettsSpokesperson Robert P. Connollyissued a release on Wednesday,September 22nd stating “a Universityof Massachusetts Board of Trusteescommittee approved a borrowing planthat will fund $546 million in constructionprojects.” Distributed amongthe five UMass campuses (Amherst,Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and theUMass medical school in Worcester),UMass Boston will be receiving $100million for, according to Connolly, “anew academic building.”An incredible amount of money hasbeen spent improving the UMass campusesduring the past decade. A whopping$2 billion to build new libraries,renovate old buildings, improve theexisting UMB science facility anderect an integrated sciences building.”We have built classrooms, dormitories,science centers, and student recreationfacilities. We have upgradedour libraries, our heating plants, andour student dining facilities,” UMassPresident Jack M. Wilson stated, extollingthis past decade’s “award-winningbuilding program.”Such overall improvements are certainlycontributed to the recent WorldUniversity Rating, which rankedUMass at 56, surpassing all other publicuniversities New England. “TheUniversity of Massachusetts has beenbuilding world-class facilities in keepingwith its recent designation as oneof the best universities in the world,”President Wilson states, recallingUMass’s high placement. Now, withthe ambition and drive an additional$546 million brings to all the campuses,the future of UMass is lookingeven brighter. With an oftentimesweak appreciation for public schoolssuch drastic improvements (coupledwith global recognition) are liable toelevate public opinion of UMass. So,while walking to the Campus Center,deafened by screaming constructionmachinery, and complaining aboutthe shut-down staircase to the library,remember that UMass Boston is constantlyimproving.But it isn’t only UMass students,teachers and faculty that reap the rewardsof continuing financial stimulation.James J. Karam, chairman of thecommittee on Administration andFinance notes, “our projects bolsterthe construction industry and createjobs all across the state.” The benefitsof these expansions stretch far beyondthe UMass campuses and into thepockets of working-class Massachusettsresidents. Additionally, progressiveconstruction projects promisethat the Umass system will continuebecome an even better candidate forincoming freshmen looking for a decentand affordable college.