Governor Mitt Romney has reportedly cancelled a UMass bond sale worth $371 million, $218 million of which would have gone to build new dorms for UMass Boston.

UMass President William Bulger and Chancellor Jo Ann Gora have both made building dorms a priority, in opposition to some students, faculty, and all the surrounding communities. The chancellor could not be reached for comment at press time.

UMass officials were caught by surprise for the second time on the issue. John Hoey, a Bulger spokesperson, told the Boston Globe that letters of rejection of the bond were distributed to the media first, and then to school officials. When the bond was first stalled in March, UMass officials were startled since a bond is not usually stopped at such a late date.

Romney’s action is seen by many as another escalation of his battle with the UMass president. Romney has targeted Bulger’s 5.6 million dollar President’s Office for elimination as part of his plan to reorganize public higher education, and greater control of the UMass system.