On May 12, Vice-Chancellor Ellen O’Connor and the Committee on Budgeting invited University of Massachusetts Boston faculty, staff, and students to a forum to discuss the current financial situation of the university.
This event was scheduled due to a request filed earlier this year in March by the student leaders and unions on campus.
Along with explaining why the school is finding itself in a situation of financial difficulties, the speakers also went on to give updates on how it is being handled, and what steps are being taken in the upcoming months.
Charlie Titus, Vice Chancellor for Athletics, Recreation, Special Programs and Projects, and member of the Committee, emphasized at the beginning of the forum that the Committee wants to “increase understanding of our budget” because it is “essential that we have the support of the campus community.” He also pointed out that the current budget situation should not be seen as a crisis, but rather, a major shift that is occurring right now.
After this introduction, O’Connor provided the audience with a financial update, the current situation, and what has changed compared to previous years. One major factor impacting the budget is that since the first time in fiscal year 2015, the university’s expenses are growing faster than its revenue. However, she explained that the school is also seeing a constant growth in enrollment, which is going to benefit UMass Boston in the long run. Due to a recent change, the university is able to retain the revenue from future tuitions instead of giving it to the Commonwealth. This also comes with a reduction in subsidies. However, O’Connor pointed out that financial aid expenses will still be a large portion for which the funding is being used. Therefore, the financial aid expenses will still remain much higher when compared to other schools in the state.
Furthermore, Emily McDermott, Associate Provost and Dean of Faculty, spoke on possible changes that would affect the academics of the school. One of the major goals is to increase to current student-faculty ratio from 14.5:1 to 17:1, which would lead to a decrease in expenses on personnel. Additionally, the university will also have to make strategic reductions on non-tenure faculty. In the upcoming months, the administration will send notices to non-tenure faculty regarding the non-continuing appointment. O’Connor pointed out that some faculty, however, might be hired back. Another major step which will affect academics is that over the summer, the posted course schedules will undergo an overhaul. O’Connor added that students will be informed the earliest possible if any changes have been made to their classes. During her presentation, she emphasized that the Committee’s goal is to minimize “the academic effects on students.”
After the presentation, David Cash, Dean of the McCormack Graduate School and member of the Committee on Budgeting, thanked the audience and underlined that he is “impressed with the devotion to the mission” of UMass Boston by faculty and staff. He then opened the floor to questions from the audience.
Cash added that students, faculty and staff can feel to send questions and comments to [email protected].
Additionally, it is also possible to email question to the unions at [email protected].