WELLESLEY HILLS, MA (June 21, 2011) – The Board of Trustees of MassBay Community College approved today by a 6-1 vote the recommendation of the College administration to raise the all college fee from $117 - $130. The revenues will offset a $1 million shortfall for fiscal year 2012 caused by the loss of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
“This is an unfortunate method of last resort,” said MassBay President Carole Berotte Joseph. “We are fully aware of the fiscal burden our students face as they pursue their academic goals with us, and yet, we have a fiduciary responsibility to balance our budget. Our choice was to cut programs, layoff faculty or staff, or to raise these fees.”
This year, 13 of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges are raising or are contemplating raising their fees. MassBay has not raised the all college fee for the past three years. The $130 all college fee is still one of the lowest rates among the Massachusetts community colleges. The per credit tuition rate, $24, is set by the state and only subject to change by the Massachusetts Legislature.
“We know it is not easy for our students to find the funds they need to pursue their education,” said President Berotte Joseph. “Even with this fee increase, we know a high quality MassBay education at $154 a credit remains an excellent value.” For the 2009-10 academic year, taking into account financial aid and grant awards, the average student debt upon graduation was $4,337.
By unanimous vote, the Board of Trustees approved Dr. Glenn C. Rowe as the next Chair of the Board today. The current Chair, Jon Bower, was approved as Vice-Chair. Dr. Rowe earned his associate degree in biotechnology from MassBay a bachelor degree from Brandeis, and a Master’s and Doctorate in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from Yale. He has served on the MassBay Board since 2009.
Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) is an open-access, accredited two-year public educational institution. The College grants associate degrees and certificates in a range of disciplines through its five divisions of academics: the Division of Health Sciences; the Division of Humanities; the Division of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (S.T.E.M.); the Division of Social Sciences & Professional Studies; and the Division of Transportation & Energy. Offering over 60 academic programs, MassBay serves Boston and the MetroWest communities with locations in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland (Automotive Technology Center). In 2011, MassBay celebrates 50 years of making a difference in the communities we serve.