October 31, 2011
LOWELL — Representative Jen Benson spent the day at UMASS Lowell as part of the Public Higher Education Caucus' visits to several public higher education campuses across the Commonwealth. Over the next month, many Massachusetts legislators will be visiting campuses across the state to meet with administrators, faculty members, and students as part of a project to raise awareness of and appreciation for public higher education. The project, organized by the state legislature's Public Higher Education Caucus, will see state senators and representatives traveling to one of the Commonwealth's 29 community colleges, state universities, or UMASS campuses to learn about the strengths and needs of each campus.
"As a graduate of a public college, I appreciate the important role they play in educating our students," said Benson. "I am grateful for UMASS Lowell's hospitality and enjoyed learning about their innovative work."
Representative Benson spent the day at UMASS Lowell meeting with Chancellor Marty Meehan, touring the campus, and attending a luncheon with students, faculty and scholarship donors. She also had the opportunity to tour the construction site for the new Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center and finished the day by cheering on the UMASS Lowell Riverhawks hockey team as they took on the Boston College Eagles.
Representative Sean Garballey, House chair of the caucus, stressed that "our 29 public higher education campuses are at the foundation of the Commonwealth's future economic growth. With legislators travelling to a different campus, this will help to prioritize the importance of our public higher education system as a whole. The system in its entirety benefits all 351 cities and towns across the Commonwealth."
His Senate counterpart, Senator Stan Rosenberg, hopes the project will give legislators a better understanding of the needs of higher education. "Our campuses bring a lot to the table so support for public higher education is important. I hope that each participant gains a deeper understanding and appreciation of the value of public higher education."
Most visits will occur throughout the week and in the near future.
