Debbie Campbell

This report, 'The Cost of Hunger in Massachusetts', details the persistent and deepening challenge of food insecurity across the state. It quantifies the multi-faceted costs of hunger, including its impacts on nutrition, health, household finances, and social well-being. The document evaluates the role and effectiveness of charitable and government nutrition programs, highlighting their critical function as lifelines. It concludes with policy and program recommendations aimed at strengthening public nutrition programs, advancing food security through healthcare and research, expanding access to affordable locally produced foods, addressing root causes of economic inequality, including lived expertise, and promoting social connection and community infrastructure.

The event focused on strategic planning for Bunker Hill Community College, emphasizing community involvement and aligning goals with the college's mission and values. Discussions covered environmental analysis, strategic thinking, and integrating planning with the budget. The event included a World Cafe format to encourage diverse contributions and connect various community sectors to shape the college's future direction.

The FY2024 budget includes consolidated revenue and expenditure details, a plant fund budget and projects, projected expenditures over $25,000, and grant listings. Total state funding is projected to increase, comprising about 33% of all funding. Tuition and fees are also projected to increase. The budget includes revenue from Workforce Development & Community Education, Investments, and Stimulus Funds. Total expenditures are projected to increase, with allocations for collective bargaining, salary increases, and the Annual Strategic Plan. The Plant Fund includes a carryover balance and expenditures for capital adaptation and renewal. The budget also details expenditures over $25,000, including contracts for construction, leases, cleaning, electricity, maintenance, security, and IT services. Grant listings for FY2023 and FY2024 are included, detailing federal, state, and local/private grants, their project periods, and funding allocations.

The Commonwealth Commitment is an agreement among the Presidents of Massachusetts' Community Colleges, State Universities, and the University of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. It aims to enhance the partnership between these institutions to provide academic excellence and affordability to Massachusetts students. Key focuses include maximizing degree completion opportunities, facilitating smooth transitions between institutions, tracking student progress, and ensuring transparency regarding costs. The program offers a 10% tuition discount to eligible students and guarantees admission to MassTransfer Pathways degree programs for students with a 3.0 GPA. The agreement covers specific majors and has stipulations regarding program duration, academic standing, and credit transfer.

The committee will review data from a college retreat and surveys on remote learning to advise on institutional planning for COVID-19 and beyond. Discussions included plans for the retreat, including breakout sessions on equity issues and remote instruction, and the need for volunteers to help document input. The committee will not review innovation budget requests for the next fiscal year; that task will be assigned to a group from other committees. The committee also discussed the upcoming fall schedule and how the retreat will inform future planning, as well as the need to combine data from the retreat and surveys to guide future decisions on remote and hybrid course offerings, training, and technology.