B. Broaden access to public higher education
6) Reduce financial barriers to attending public institutions of higher education
The Department of Higher Education’s 2006 Task Force on Student Financial Aid put forward several creative recommendations that should be advanced, including dedicating need-based state financial aid to students with family incomes less than the Commonwealth’s median income, and providing tuition and fee waivers to qualified Massachusetts high school graduates attending community college.
The Task Force’s recommendation to offer loan forgiveness to students with state-funded college loans who are employed in jobs “addressing critical workforce needs” would create a strong link between higher education and economic development needs and priorities, and should be implemented. Additionally, creating a statewide program to help individuals and families learn how to finance a college education, another Task Force recommendation, would empower first generation college students and limited English speaking families to effectively plan for post-secondary education expenses.
Within the broader 10-year proposal developed by the Governor’s Readiness Committee, community colleges in Massachusetts would be free to all students within 10 years. Every student’s education would extend two years beyond high school, either through vocational training or college. Such opportunities might alleviate problems in the public post-secondary system that include gaps in minority achievement and students who are unprepared for college or the workforce. The state has more than 20,000 unfilled jobs requiring applicants with at least an associate’s degree. The support of business, education, political and community leaders is necessary to implement this proposal.
6.a The legislature should increase need-based financial aid to 1989 levels and extend benefits for part-time students
6.b The legislature should provide in-state tuition for all immigrants
6.c Industry associations should establish new scholarship program targeted to workforce development
7) Expand distance learning programs and alternative delivery models for public higher education
Many higher education institutions in the Commonwealth already offer alternative formats for delivering thei programs. There are weekend, evening, and compressed time programs; there are semester, quarter, and intensive summer programs; there are on-line programs, blended technology-enabled programs; and competency-based rather than credit options. Institutions offer their programs on campus, at satellite sites in the community, and in workplaces. All of these alternatives are adaptations meant to respond to the change in living and working conditions of students and to acknowledge that there are now many non-traditional, older, working professional students enrolled in higher education.
The Massachusetts’s public higher education system already has a strong network of distance education programs offered through Massachusetts Colleges Online, UMass Online, Mass Virtual High School, Salem State College, and other institutions. Online courses provide enhanced flexibility and access to every student. A multi-year, targeted line of funding to expand online certificate/degree programs in selected high-demand fields would increase on-time, on-demand options for students, and allow more students to access the public higher education system.
Massachusetts is behind the curve in distance learning for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE). There are models currently in place that have demonstrated success; the Jamaica Plain Community Center Adult Learning Program is one. The ESOL/ABE community in Massachusetts could make this issue a priority within their own research programs, seminars and forums, and professional development activities.
7.a The Department of Higher Education should develop a strategic plan for the expansion of distance learning and technology-infused curriculum
8) Locate new public higher education facilities in smart growth locations and improve transit access to public higher education
As with any infrastructure built with public money, the Commonwealth’s public higher education institutions must be located in areas that both take the most advantage of existing infrastructure and allow the greatest amount of access from a variety of transportation modes. Locating these institutions in smart growth locations, largely Regional Urban Centers and downtowns, will help meeting MetroFuture’s land use objectives by concentrating development near existing infrastructure. Furthermore, locating these facilities in transit accessible locations will help enhance equity by ensuring that those without cars and private modes of transportation will still have access to higher education opportunities.
8.a The Division of Capital Asset Management, the Department of Higher Education, and MAPC should form a working partnership to ensure that Sustainable Development Principles inform the location of new satellite facilities
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