Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-662-R1

Redraft EDU 662

Addressing Declining Student Enrollment in the University of Massachusetts

Messrs. Pacheco, O'Connor, Moore, Brady and Feeney moved that the proposed new text be amended inserting after section 106 the following section:-

"SECTION 106A.  (a) There shall be a special commission to study and report on enrollment trends at the university of Massachusetts segment. The commission shall make recommendations and report on: (i) enrollment numbers over the past 7 years, delineated by campus; (ii) factors that have impacted enrollment changes within the segment; (iii) best practices to increase each campus’ enrollment numbers, when appropriate; and (iv) national trends in enrollments in public higher educational systems.

(b) The commission shall consist of: 2 members of the board of higher education to be appointed by the secretary of education, who shall serve as co-chairs; a representative from each campus within the university of Massachusetts segment to be appointed by the secretary of education; the chair of the board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts; the commissioner of higher education; a representative from American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 93; a representative from the National Association of Government Employees; 1 member to be appointed by the governor; the chairs of the joint committee on higher education; a representative from the American Federation of Teachers -Massachusetts; and a representative from Massachusetts Teachers Association.

(c) Not later than January 1, 2025, the commission shall submit a report on its study to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives, the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means.”