University Of Massachusetts Lowell

The 'Designing the Future' campaign for UMass Lowell is a $250 million comprehensive fundraising and engagement initiative. This campaign aims to enhance student success by expanding scholarships and providing career-connected experiences, drive research excellence to elevate the university to a research one institution, and support the LOL Innovation Network Corridor (Link). The Link initiative will foster connections between academia and industry, create jobs, offer student co-ops and internships, and develop new facilities including labs, offices, housing, and retail spaces.

The board discussed and approved the recommendation of Executive Vice Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney as the next Chancellor of UMass Lowell. Speakers highlighted Moloney's work ethic, vision, kindness, and her role in the university's transformation, including strategic planning, enrollment growth, academic rankings, and fundraising. Moloney expressed her honor at being the first woman Chancellor and her commitment to the university's continued excellence and future challenges.

The discussion centered on maintaining affordable, quality education in public universities, addressing concerns over rising fees, and balancing quality with affordability. Topics included faculty salary increases, financial aid, budget cuts, and revenue generation through online programs and private funding. Efforts to reduce expenditures not directly related to students, consolidation of systems, and the importance of state investment in higher education were also discussed.

The meeting included updates from the Provost regarding federal and state developments, budget concerns, enrollment statistics, and LINC project progress. There were discussions of faculty senate department elections and deadlines for Curriculog proposals. The Senate discussed a policy change allowing shared credits between concurrent master's degrees, changes to the B.A. Digital Media program, B.S. Criminal Justice subplans, and the Certificate in Security Management and Homeland Security. Additionally, there was discussion regarding revisions to the GPAC and UPC Committee structure, Senate term start dates, and elevating the Core Curriculum Committee.

The meeting covered key topics including the election of representatives to the Board of Trustees, a report on House Bill 2153, and updates on leaking buildings. Several resolutions were approved concerning new certificate and degree programs, and a reduction in credit requirements for an Ed.D. program. A discussion on the new grading system and its implementation timeline took place. Finally, a vote of no confidence was passed in the Office of Information Technology due to concerns about network and email server instability.