Middle, high school, & college students can sign up to join the Franklin Food Elves this season

Join the Franklin Food Elves to raise funds for the Franklin Food Pantry! Your participation helps ensure that our neighbors have a brighter holiday season! All funds raised will purchase fresh produce, a variety of proteins, groceries, personal care items, and household cleaning products.

In 2022, more than 240 middle, high school, and college students raised more than $93,000 for The Pantry through the Food Elves Campaign! Our wonderful Food Elves solicited funds in their neighborhoods and through crowdfunding to give their neighbors some holiday cheer.

The deadline to register as an in-person Food Elf is November 8, 2023.

The deadline to register as an online Food Elf is November 30, 2023.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8ZlatV9CVwWVIUf0PlCTjxtZpqej20HAvINgUV2qHl_tQSQ/viewform

What does it take to be a Food Elf? https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Food-Elves-FAQ-2023.pdf

Middle, high school, & college students can sign up to join the Franklin Food Elves this season

Chancellor Augustus shares his 'short story' and elaborates on the "Dean Difference" (audio)

FM #881 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 881 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Dean College Chancellor Edward M Augustus Jr. We met in the wfpr.fm radio studio to record on Thursday, Nov 10, 2022. 

Our topic list included

• Chancellor Augustus background and his road to Dean 

• The Dean organizational structure and role he plays co-leading Dean with President Ken Elmore

• The challenges facing Dean and how to leverage the “Dean Difference”

• Listening as a skill 

The recording runs about thirty seven minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Chancellor Augustus.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-881-dean-college-chancellor-ed-augustus-11-10-22

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Dean College Chancellor Ed Augustus page and contact info ->

https://www.dean.edu/about-dean/leadership/office-of-the-chancellor/ 

Dean Leadership Institute -> https://www.dean.edu/academics/dean-leadership-institute-2/

Darryl Purpose was the folk singer who’s name had escaped me during my conversation with the Chancellor. The song line that stuck is found in his performance ->  https://darrylpurpose.bandcamp.com/track/a-crooked-line 

And how about the coincidence (?) (or maybe not?) that part of the song is about the creation of a baseball stadium?

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Edward M. Augustus, Jr.

2 articles from Pantherbook: "Student Spotlight: Varun Desai" & "College Conversations: Advice from FHS Alumni"

First up: a profile of EditorVar by Nihara Lijan 

"One of our most popular sports videographers/editors, Varun Desai, a junior at Franklin High School, is going to provide his journey in videography and his advice for aspiring videographers! 

Varun films and edits sports videos for the school, which increases a lot of engagement for the sports teams at FHS. He has always liked to create films and videos; he was recently presented with the opportunity to professionally take videos for the sports teams at FHS consistently and was excited for the opportunity to pursue it."

Continue reading the profile of EditorVar at Pantherbook -> 

https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2022/11/04/student-spotlight-varun-desai/

#9 Sid on the Franklin Unified Basketball team celebrating after scoring a basket (Varun Desai)

Next: College Conversations: Advice from FHS Alumni by Nihara Lijan 

"From high school to college, the hard work and grind never ends… but does it get better? Let’s ask a couple of amazing former FHS students about their current experience in college: Michaela Olah, Charlene Peng, and Rachael Yuan! 

Olah is a junior attending Wellesley College majoring in Biology on the Pre-Med track, Peng is a freshman attending Williams College and is undecided on her major, and Yuan is a freshman attending UNC Chapel Hill with a double major in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Education."

Continue reading Advice from FHS Alumni at Pantherbook -> 

https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2022/11/11/advice-from-fhs-alumni/

Michaela Olah, Charlene Peng, Rachael Yuan - Michaela’s picture was taken for the Hear Your Song Wellesley College Chapter. Charlene’s pic was taken in a field. And Rachael’s pic was taken by her friend at a restaurant.

"roughly 100 U.S. colleges and universities have installed geothermal systems on their campuses"

"Often described as a giant tower of Jenga blocks, Boston University’s Center for Computing and Data Sciences shows no outward signs of leading the race to sustainable energy design. No rooftop wind turbines grace its heights; no solar panels are mounted on the multiple roof decks jutting out from the building’s core.

What makes this building unique lies deep underground, where water circulating through 31 geothermal boreholes will supply 90 percent of its heating and cooling needs when the building opens, as scheduled for later this year. Through a process called geothermal heat exchange, water pumped from 1,500 feet underground will draw upon the near-constant temperature that prevails beneath the earth’s surface – 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. 

Even on the coldest New England days, water prewarmed by the earth will be circulated through heat pumps that will further raise its temperature to deliver heat where needed. On warmer days or in heavily occupied spaces where heat builds up even in winter, the heat exchangers will draw on the earth’s cooler temperature to provide air conditioning."

Continue reading about geothermal systems online

https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/08/geothermal-heating-and-cooling-renewable-energys-hidden-gem/ 

In the summer, heat is extracted from the home, and is discharged into the earth. In the winter, the process is reversed. (Source: Solar Review)

Know someone going to college? Consider the "College Admissions Insights" session scheduled Aug 1 at 1 PM

Know someone going to college?

Is the process anything like when you considered college? Or your kids did?

For answers to these questions, consider joining Allison Sherlock, Director of Admission at Saint Michael's College for an informative session on what the college admissions process is like these days. 

Allison will provide some insights on 
• the application process (now a Common app)
• what the student (and family) should consider in their college search
• lessons learned from reading more than 10,000 college entry essays

When: Monday, August 1, 2022 at 1:00 PM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (conf room) and via Zoom

To attend via Zoom, use this form and we'll email the link  ->   https://forms.gle/8cte5TsuJUB3XkxN8

Who is Allison? (aside from my daughter)

Allison graduated from Franklin High in 2004, earned her BA in 2008 and her Masters in 2016 both at Assumption College.

Allison has worked in admissions at Assumption, MCPHS University, Wheelock College, and for 5 years at Saint Michael’s mostly as a Regional Recruiter, now currently as Admissions Director.

Her full LinkedIn profile can be found online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsherlock/

Consider the "College Admissions Insights" session scheduled Aug 1 at 1 PM

Franklin High School Baseball alumni ready for their spring collegiate season

Catching up to share this tweet from Franklin High School Baseball, MA (@FHSCoachZBrown):

2-18-22 - College Baseball is officially back! 

For those that would like to follow the 14 FHS ⚾️ alums that are currently on active college rosters please see the list below. 

Nothing better than checking the box scores & seeing our alums contributing to their collegiate programs! 

https://t.co/wcYRABPHY6

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSCoachZBrown/status/1494669514235166722

Franklin High School Baseball alumni ready for their spring collegiate season

Job Search Event for Recent College Graduates

Via Ed Lawrence:

In addition to my library, outplacement, and Mass Council on Aging work, I partner with my town's Natick Service Council to assist local residents. Here is a flyer for an upcoming workshop.

Please share this info with any person you feel could benefit.

To Register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuduispzsqGtPtlfpicVzhF0SCodbLEt8j

The Brack Center is thrilled to host another workshop for recent or upcoming college graduates to discuss how to be successful in the workplace.

Transitioning from school life to a career can be surprisingly difficult.

There are some obvious and less than obvious things that you can do in your job that will help you get through the initial learning curve, kickstart your career, and ensure your success.

Join our managers and HR experts on Wednesday December 1st at 3:00 PM to hear their advice on what you can do to accelerate career development and what missteps to avoid. 

Job Search Event for Recent College Graduates

Washington Post: "Study sessions, parties and dorm life: How college students can minimize COVID risk on campus"

"College students across the nation are back on campus, bracing for another tumultuous semester amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus.

And as their universities grapple with mask recommendations, vaccine mandates and distancing rules, students are charged with making serious health-related decisions. Health experts have some risk-reduction advice to make those tough calls a little easier.

One health expert said that while no public health precaution is 100 percent effective, layering them offers a solid defense against covid-19, the disease caused by the virus.

“I tell folks: ‘Think of the vaccine like a really good raincoat, but if it’s storming outside, you still need an umbrella if you want to stay dry,’ ” said Henry Wu, assistant professor and senior physician at the Emory University School of Medicine. “And I think right now, we’re storming in most of the country.”

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required) 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/09/08/covid-college-students-faq/

Dean College students are back on campus in Franklin

MA Dept of Higher Ed: strengthening campus response to sexual assault

MA Dept of Higher Ed (@MassDHE) tweeted Fri, Aug 20, 2021:

"As students return to campus, MA has a new law on the books to strengthen campus response to sexual assault. Details in the new DHE Forward: https://t.co/Hkp01vY9me "

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassDHE/status/1428780159465836549?s=03

As students return to campus, MA has a new law on the books to strengthen campus response to sexual assault

State Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - June 2021 newsletter

View this email in your browser Offshore wind announcement Last month, we celebrated the approval of Vineyard Wind, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the United States. Rep. Roy was honored to join with state officials and the Vineyard Wind team for the announcement at the Wind Technology Test Center in Charlestown. The is the first step in a major effort to fight climate change and create jobs in the process. Speaker Ron Mariano has made offshore wind a priority for Massachusetts, part of the goal to make Massachusetts a regional hub of the industry. This project enables Massachusetts to realize the ambitious offshore wind energy goals the Legislature set in 2016 and 2021 and brings us closer to our vision of a thriving offshore wind sector here in Massachusetts. It will power hundreds of thousands of homes while helping us attain our emissions reduction goals. It will also boost our economy, reduce electricity rates, and create thousands of local clean energy jobs that will be here to stay. Copyright (C) 2021 State Rep Jeff Roy. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 43 Boston, MA 02133

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents  Follow this link ->

https://mailchi.mp/61034bfeed2d/march-2021-newsletter-5081538?e=6ead984465

Boston Globe: "Becker College to close this spring as pandemic deals final blow, officials say"

"Becker College, a small, private liberal arts school in Worcester, will close after the end of this school year, the board of trustees announced Monday.

The school, best known for its veterinary, nursing, and video game design programs, has struggled financially for years and trustees said the COVID-19 pandemic, which hurt enrollment and brought added costs, dealt the final blow.

“Ultimately, the impacts of COVID-19 turned what was a very challenging situation into an unsustainable situation,” President Nancy P. Crimmin said in a statement from the school, which had said it was on the brink of closure earlier this month."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/29/metro/becker-college-close-this-spring/

Washington Post: "Meet the Cal cross-country runner who wants to dismantle the NCAA"

From The Washington Post, an article of interest for Franklin:

"In spring 2019, Andrew Cooper and some other Pac-12 athletes arrived at a high-end resort in Phoenix. Ten pools and a golf course surrounded them on the scenic property. Cooper, a cross-country runner from Washington State, attended this event during which administrators were supposed to listen to athletes.

During one session, Kate Fagan, the author of a book about a college runner who died by suicide, addressed mental health and how colleges could better serve athletes. The year prior, Cooper watched how quarterback Tyler Hilinski’s death by suicide rocked his campus community. Cooper called Fagan’s discussion “one of the most powerful mental health talks I’ve ever witnessed.” But he remembers the stark juxtaposition in the room. Athletes cried while some administrators continued working on their laptops.

“It just made me realize they don't care,” Cooper said. “They don't actually care about us. This is only going to change from the outside.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/09/22/andrew-cooper-dismantle-ncaa/

Andrew Cooper, who ran cross-country for Washington State and California Berkeley, has become an advocate for college athlete rights. (Mitch Hechsel)

In the News: State Rep Roy would address early college; Franklin Fire Dept receives grant

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

State Rep Roy would make early college “one of my priorities"

"Highlighting new data showing greater academic success among high school students who take college courses, education experts called Wednesday for Massachusetts to continue investing in early college programs and broaden access to thousands more students. 

The early college courses available at roughly three dozen high schools have made a sizable impact on closing achievement gaps and improving equitable outcomes for students, analysts found in a study released by the Baker administration. Students who participated in the programs are enrolling in higher education at a rate 20 percentage points higher than their school and state peers, the Department of Higher Education said. 

Enrollment was more than 2,300 in 2020 and is projected to reach 4,200 students in fiscal year 2021, and proponents want to ensure that Massachusetts reaches a long-term goal nearly four times as high. Getting 16,000 students to participate, they said, would make major progress toward improving access to higher education for families that might view it as unaffordable." 

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200826/franklin-rep-jeff-roy-says-hell-make-early-college-courses-one-of-my-priorities?rssfeed=true 

Commonwealth Magazine has an article on this topic also

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/promising-results-with-early-college-programs/

Franklin Fire Dept receives grant

"Several area police and fire departments have received federal grants for pandemic-related needs. 

Although the money is from the federal Coronvirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program, the grants were awarded through the Baker-Polito administration. 

“These awards to municipal departments and state agencies throughout the commonwealth demonstrate our commitment to providing police officers, firefighters and other public safety personnel with the necessary tools to effectively serve their communities while continuing to fight the pandemic,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. 

The money is meant to be used to prevent, prepare and respond to coronavirus-related issues. The maximum grant amount was $50,000."

• Franklin Fire Department, $48,724 for mobile data terminals

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200826/area-police-fire-departments-receive-federal-coronvirus-related-grants?rssfeed=true

Franklin Fire Dept receives grant

"More Than 6,300 Coronavirus Cases Have Been Linked to U.S. Colleges"

From the New York Times, an article of interest for Franklin:

"As college students and professors decide whether to head back to class, and as universities weigh how and whether to reopen, the coronavirus is already on campus.

A New York Times survey of every public four-year college in the country, as well as every private institution that competes in Division I sports or is a member of an elite group of research universities, revealed at least 6,300 cases tied to about 270 colleges over the course of the pandemic. And the new academic year has not even begun at most schools."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/28/us/covid-19-colleges-universities.html

In the News: “We can’t just pretend everything is normal when we go back to school”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

At-home schooling brings added challenges for special education students and parents

"Alexis Forgit, a Milford High School special education teacher, said some of her pupils have been automatically putting their backpacks on in the morning, not understanding why they are not going to school.

Several weeks ago, Alysia Butler’s sons could step out of class if they felt overwhelmed. One-on-one paraprofessionals, shared aides, behaviorists and other support staff helped them navigate the tough situations that would surface throughout the day.

Class has since shifted onto the online video-conferencing app Zoom in wake of the coronavirus. For the four boys and other children on the autism spectrum, the video calls can be draining.

“Fifteen minutes in, they have to check out,” said Butler, of Hopedale. “They can’t do that (on a Zoom call). You are expected to be there and present.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200429/for-metrowest-special-education-teachers-and-parents-at-home-schooling-brings-added-challenges


UMass Medical School to furlough 100 employees

"UMass Medical School plans to furlough 100 employees for up to six months in an effort to rein in costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The school announced the move in an internal memo on Wednesday.

The furloughed workers account for nearly 2% of the medical school’s workforce of around 6,000 employees. They could be brought back sooner than six months, and will still receive their health care coverage while they are furloughed, according to school spokeswoman Sarah Willey.

The furloughs are expected to go into effect next week. Willey did not have any information on Wednesday about which departments would be affected; Wednesday’s memo said they would happen “across all business units.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200429/umass-medical-school-to-furlough-100-employees

In the conversation with State Rep Jeff Roy shared here recently, we talked of his concern for the higher education institutions who were facing financial and demographic challenges before the pandemic came. UMass Medical was the first of three stops made in Worcester on the day I was fortunate to join him for his tour of all 29 higher ed state schools.

Listen to our conversation here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-255-state-representative-jeffrey-roy.html

 

State Rep Jeff Roy in one of the UMass Medical classroom with an interactive system of the body

In the News: college refund plans monitored; delay of local elections due to COVID-19

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

Monitoring of college refund plans amid coronavirus underway

"With many college students now learning remotely off-campus or while living with their families, refunding the room and board payments for those students while they’re away is going to be a “huge issue,” according to the House chair of the Higher Education Committee.

But, state Rep. Jeffrey Roy said, it’s not one where there’s necessarily an across-the-board solution.

The new online learning surge is one of the cascading effects flowing from the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s being driven by the fact that thousands of students were abruptly sent packing from campuses mid-semester.

Massachusetts is home to more than 100 colleges and universities, including the state’s 15 community colleges, which do not have on-campus housing, nine public universities and the five-campus University of Massachusetts system.

Dorm and meal payments are unique to each school, and campus officials will need to consider the needs of their student populations as well as their own budgetary dynamics as they make unprecedented decisions around whether and how to reimburse room and board for off-campus time."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200324/ag-roy-healey-monitoring-college-refund-plans-amid-coronavirus

MA allows delay of local elections due to COVID-19

"Towns can postpone local elections this spring to help residents avoid the coronavirus, thanks to a law signed Monday night by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Spring is local election season for towns throughout Massachusetts, and town officials have been keeping a wary eye on the trajectory of the pandemic as the time to cast ballots – not typically an action associated with worldwide social distancing recommendations – looms closer.

Elections scheduled on or before May 30 may be postponed, according to a notice from the Secretary of State’s Office, and ballots printed with the original date may be used. Elections must be held by June 30.

Several voting rights activists praised the idea, but criticized the law for not going far enough."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200324/massachusetts-allows-delay-of-local-elections

Franklin grad Olivia DiGiacomo represents JWU at Div. III Immersion Program

Franklin grad Olivia DiGiacomo:

"Competing in collegiate athletics opens a number of unique opportunities, not all of them on the field. Franklin grad Olivia DiGiacomo got to experience one of those opportunities last week, when she attended the annual NCAA convention in Anaheim, Calif. as part of the Div. III Immersion Program.

DiGiacomo, a junior outfielder on the Johnson & Wales University softball team, was nominated for the program by her softball coach Kim Camara-Harvey and director of athletics Dana Garfield. She was one of 40 Div. III student-athletes selected from thousands of nominees nationwide to join the program and attend the convention.

“My coach and my athletic director looked at me as a leader and someone who can bring back a lot of information and knowledge back to campus,” said DiGiacomo after she got back from the convention. “It was absolutely a gratifying experience to be recognized.”

Continue reading the write up by Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.co: 
https://hockomocksports.com/franklins-olivia-digiacomo-represents-jwu-at-ncaa-convention/ 

Franklin alum Olivia DiGiacomo represented Johnson & Wales University at the NCAA Convention as one of 40 student-athletes selected from a national pool to take part in the DIII Immersion Program. (JWU Athletics)

 

"it’s definitely been quite a ride here"

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides an update on the collegiate career of FHS grad, Ryan Spillane:

"Looking forward to his junior season at St. Anselm, Ryan Spillane was expecting to see a larger role for the Hawks. The former Franklin High standout had played in 23 games as a sophomore, scoring a pair of goals and recording three assists, and he had high hopes of even more ice time and even more production as a junior.

Unfortunately, a hamstring injury in September would cost Spillane the entire year. He has worked hard to not only get back on the ice but to become a regular contributor for a team with its sights set on bringing home the NE-10 title.

“By the beginning of the summer I was ready to get back on the ice and get in shape,” Spillane explained. “By the time the season came, I felt like I was ready to go, back in game shape like I was two years ago. It’s nice to be back on the ice.”

It is always hard for an athlete to sit and watch his team play, but Spillane praised his coaches, teammates, and the training staff at St. Anselm for keeping him involved and for getting him back on the ice for this season."

Continue reading about Ryan:
https://hockomocksports.com/franklins-ryan-spillane-skates-into-final-shift-at-st-as/

Former Franklin standout Ryan Spillane has battled back from an injury to have a strong senior season at St. Anselm. (St. Anselm Athletics)

Governor Baker Signs Legislation to Support Financial Stability in Higher Education and Protect Students and Families from Abrupt Closures

Thursday, November 14, Governor Charlie Baker joined Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka, Secretary of Education Jim Peyser, Senator Anne Gobi, Representative Jeff Roy, the Association of lndependent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), and SEIU Local 509 to sign An Act to Support Improved Financial Stability in Higher Education (H4099) which will clarify and enhance the authority of the Board of Higher Education to monitor the financial health of Massachusetts' colleges and universities. 

This legislation requires any institution facing financial challenges that may jeopardize the institution's ability to fulfill its obligations to current and admitted students to notify the Board of Higher Education, as well as submit a contingency plan for approval that includes arrangements for students to complete their studies.

"Massachusetts is home to some of the world's most impressive public and private colleges and universities that also serve as major employers and drivers of business across the Commonwealth," said Governor Charlie Baker. "We are very pleased to have worked alongside the Legislature to sign this important bill into law that will protect students and families from sudden college closures, while also guaranteeing those institutions confidentiality as the Department of Higher Education works with them to understand their financial status."

"While we do not want to see any college or university close its doors, it is important to ensure sufficient notice to students and staff to make arrangements if the institution where they study or work is at high risk of closure, so they can complete their studies with as little disruption as possible, or have sufficient time to find new employment," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "This legislation will better protect students, families and higher education professionals."

In March 2019, Governor Baker filed legislation to enhance the authority of the Board of Higher Education to monitor the financial health of Massachusetts' colleges and universities. Under this legislation, colleges and universities shall immediately notify the Board of Higher Education of any known financial liabilities or risks which are reasonably likely to result in the imminent closure of the institution, or negatively affect the institution's ability to fulfill its obligations to current or admitted students. The institution would be required to submit to the Board for approval a contingency plan that includes provisions for providing advance notice to students and staff.

"Through this legislation, the Board and Department of Higher Education can ensure transparency for students and families without being overly burdensome to colleges," said Education Secretary James Peyser.

"We're especially pleased to see the votes on this legislation passing the House and Senate unanimously in recent weeks," said Carlos E. Santiago, Commissioner of Higher Education. "It is a sign of the deep levels of support for our work to monitor institutional finances with the goal of making sure that all students have the ability to complete their programs of study and pursue meaningful careers of their choice."

"Massachusetts has a global reputation for excellence in higher education, and it1s essential for all of us to work together to sustain and burnish public confidence in our colleges and universities," said Chris Gabrieli, Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.

The Board of Higher Education will be responsible for establishing an annual process for screening every college and university to assess its financial condition, and to identify any institution that may be at risk of imminent closure. The Department of Higher Education is encouraged to work with the regional accrediting agency to conduct these annual screenings, in lieu of doing the screening itself.

The Board of Higher Education will also establish a training program for members of boards of trustees of public institutions of higher education on the proper governance of an institution of higher education. The instruction will include an overview of open meeting, public records, state procurement laws and state finance provisions established under state law, along with fraud prevention and fiduciary responsibilities.

The legislation signed today paves the way for the Board of Higher Education to vote on regulations by which it will exercise its oversight authority, expected at its December Board meeting.

"I am proud we have taken this important step as a Commonwealth towards furthering transparency and providing stability in our higher education system," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "No student's degree aspirations or financial resources should ever be put in limbo due to the sudden closure of their school."

"Today we've taken action to protect students, families, and staff of our higher education institutions by increasing the transparency of the financial health of institutions - requiring stronger oversight, reporting and accountability," said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. "Thank you to the Higher Education Committee Chairs Jeffrey Roy and Anne Gobi for their diligent work on this legislation and for the support of House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz and Representative Kenneth Gordon on these issues."

"In the wake of the Mount Ida closure last year, I heard from an extraordinary amount of people who were negatively affected and asked that the legislature take steps to protect students, faculty, and staff," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I applaud the Baker-Polito Administration for supporting measures such as the development of student-focused contingency plans for public colleges and universities expected to close. This legislation will help to bring stability and transparency to our institutions of higher learning."

"Today is a good day for students, faculty, staff, and the Commonwealth," said Senator Anne M. Gobi, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. "We have shown, in a bipartisan manner, that our institutions of higher learning are important and their stability is necessary. Through these efforts, if problems arise they can be detected early with a set, transparent process in place that will safeguard our students and offer them a path to continue their higher education.

"This is a great day for students and their families, and this legislation will provide transparency and restore confidence in our Higher Education institutions," said Representative Jeff Roy, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. "The strength of our colleges and universities is paramount to our success as a commonwealth, as it promotes civic discourse and drives economic opportunity. When students and their families invest in their future, they deserve to know that their institution stands on a solid foundation. Through this legislation, the state will be a partner in providing transparency and accountability to promote resiliency and financial stability, and to ensure that our students have access to the opportunities that they need, that they can count on, and that deliver for the long-term strength of our state."

"We are fortunate to have vibrant private colleges across the Commonwealth that graduate tens of thousands of students each year who go on to contribute to the Massachusetts economy," said AICUM. "Today's legislation will help ensure that our colleges and universities continue to educate our students, employ our residents, further important research and enhance our host communities. I want to thank Governor Baker, Secretary Peyser, Commissioner Santiago, Senate President Spilka and House Speaker DeLeo for working collaboratively with AICUM to develop a process that utilizes the expertise and experience of the regional accrediting agency to annually screen our institutions and ensures confidentially to colleges and universities as they participate in the screening process."

 

Governor Baker Signs Legislation to Support Financial Stability in Higher Education (Facebook photo via Rep Roy)

In the News: Franklin Police - no shave November; Assumption College to change to University

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Officers from Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Bellingham, Millis and Upton police departments are participating in the Home Base No Shave campaign in support of Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program.

Traditionally, police departments have a grooming policy where officers must remain clean-shaven. However, for November, police officers have pledged $100 to forego the traditional grooming policy and grow beards, mustaches and goatees to support Home Base and its mission to provide no-cost clinical care to Veterans and Military Families impacted by the invisible wounds, such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

The movement is spearheaded by MBTA Transit Police and Boston Gang Unit Detective Kurt Power, a U.S. Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient who sought care for his own invisible wounds at Home Base."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191112/area-police-departments-to-participate-in-home-base-no-shave-campaign

"Ben Franklin and the Franklin Police Department are once again participating in No Shave November"

"Assumption College received approval from the state to become a university and will do so next year, according to an internal memo school leadership sent on Wednesday.

In that message, President Francesco Cesareo said Assumption’s Restructuring Implementation Committee will prepare for that “historic transition” over the next year.

“There’s a lot of work to be done before we can actually turn the switch,” he said in an interview with the Telegram & Gazette, including the development of a “unifying visual identity” for the renamed school, which enrolls around 2,500 students."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191110/assumption-college-gets-states-approval-to-become-university

Find out more about Assumption at  https://www.assumption.edu/

Note: I graduated from Assumption College in 1976 with an English major and Education minor.