Layoffs Resulting From Romney’s Budget Cut

Romney’s impending $65 million cut of the University’s funding is going result in the loss of approximately 1,500 jobs across the five UMass campuses, according to an analysis by the President’s Office. The 15 percent cut in funding totals $15 million more than the budget cuts of the previous two years combined. Under Romney’s plan, the Amherst campus will lose $30 million, Boston’s loss will be $10.5 million, Lowell $9.1 million, and Dartmouth $6.3 million, while the Worcester medical school will lose $4.6 million.

Mass Art Mass Vigil

The Mass College of Art will be holding candlelight vigils by the North Tower Wednesdays at 7pm starting March 19, to protest Governor Mitt Romney’s higher education reformation proposal. To get there, take the Red Line to Park Street, transfer to the Green Line, and ride to the Longwood Hospital stop, right by the Museum of Fine Arts. MassArt is only a few steps away. BYOC (Bring Your Own Candle). MassArt is the last publicly funded art school in the country.

Stinky Business

On March 5, 2003, the Water and Sewer Commission of Boston filed a suit against UMass Boston in an effort to make the construction of a sewerage pump facility mandatory. The facility would be located on a parcel of Columbia Point, which is claimed by both UMass and the agency. Agency officials wish to gain a Superior Court order that would permit construction of a $10 million pump facility, which would be located on the university campus near the rear of Boston College High School.

Scholarship Opportunity

Students who have either been an activist or written a relevant research paper concerning the lesbian/gay/bisexual-/transgender community may be eligible for the Percy Prize. The Percy Prize is an annual scholarship of $1000 that may be used toward the recipient’s education. Interested students should visit the Queer Student Union, which is located at W/4/125.

Working It On Campus

Students who are interested in working on campus in the Fall of 2003, as well as making a difference to the campus community, may consider contacting the Student Life Office. Beginning in the Fall, coordinator positions for several Student Organizations, including the Asian Center, Black Student Center, and the Women’s Center, will be available. There are many other coordinator positions available. Interested students should apply at the Student Life Office, located at W/4/181, by March 28, at 5pm.

Internships in Montana

Project Vote Smart has announced its approval of a scholarship that would grant up to five UMass Boston students the opportunity to intern in Montana for ten weeks, with all expenses paid. Students accepted into the program must commit to a ten-week internship, which may be scheduled at any time. However, those interested in interning during the summer of 2003 must act immediately, as positions are expected to fill quickly. While all are encouraged to apply, journalism, political science majors, and communications majors are particularly needed. Applications and additional information may be retrieved from the Project Vote Smart website (www.vote-smart.org), or by calling the Voter’s Research Hotline at 1-888-868-3762.