The Patrick-Murray Administration is committed to building an affordable, world-class system of public higher education in Massachusetts because the continued success of Commonwealth's knowledge-based economy depends on a highly educated and well-skilled workforce.
The Commonwealth's public higher education system, which serves approximately 260,000 students, is comprised of 29 campuses divided into three segments: fifteen community colleges; nine state universities; and five University of Massachusetts (UMass) campuses. In response to the alarming capital deficiencies at many of these institutions when he took office in 2007, Governor Patrick dramatically increased planned investments in higher education capital projects in the first five-year capital investment plan in FY08, and, working with the Legislature, obtained passage of a $2.2 billion higher education bond bill in 2008 as a key component of his 10-year education reform initiative.
The following graph reflects the Administration's estimated capital investment in higher education capital projects over the next five years as compared to fiscal years 2007 and 2012 spending on higher education projects. The Commonwealth accelerated funding for some higher education projects in FY12, which has impacted the level of funding for projects in FY13. Over the five years of the capital investment plan, the Administration has dedicated 13% of the bond cap to higher education, which includes almost $1.16 billion in programmed projects and over $100 million reserved for future projects or deferred maintenance.
The Commonwealth's investment in public higher education has increased rapidly over the last five years as projects have moved from design into construction, and the level of investment will continue to grow over the next five years to be approximately six times higher than when the Governor took office.
Working with the legislature, Governor Patrick signed a $2.2 billion Higher Education Bond Bill.
Construction is underway or completed at 26 of the 29 public campuses - all campuses are planned to have projects by FY14.
Construction is complete on four major state university and community college facilities that provide over 400,000 square feet of new or renovated space at our community colleges and state universities. Additionally, design or construction is underway for another 625,000 square feet, bringing the total to more than 1 million square feet. Completed projects include:
A new science building at Bridgewater State University;
A new allied health science building at North Shore Community College, which is targeted for LEED gold certification and a net zero energy building;
A new library for Mass Maritime Academy, which includes a highly sophisticated ship's bridge simulator;
Expansion of the main building at Greenfield Community College, which enlarged the library and provided a new barrier free main entrance.
The Commonwealth has supported UMass through partnerships with the University of Massachusetts Building Authority, the Life Sciences Center and private contributions to build or renovate over 1 million square feet of academic space. This investment includes:
Three new laboratory research facilities at UMass Boston, UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst, addressing the Governor's focus on using science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as an essential tool for academic, workforce and industry development.
Two new major classroom buildings are underway at UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst, bringing these universities to the forefront of academic delivery models with state-of-the-art teaching spaces.
Through Governor Patrick's Life Sciences Initiative, the construction of the Sherman Center at the UMass Medical School - Worcester, the UMass Lowell's Emerging Technology and Innovation Center and the UMass Dartmouth's Biomanufacturing facility.
This plan includes the announcement of five new community college projects, which affirms the Governor's commitment to investing in community colleges that provide students with strong educational foundations and relevant workforce training opportunities that will prepare them for success in the local job market and/or further academic study.
Over the five year plan, the Commonwealth will spend $297 million on community college projects. New community college projects include:
Massachusetts Bay Community College to study opportunities for a future Framingham campus and build a new Allied Health Academic Building in Framingham. This project includes $22.1 million in Commonwealth bond cap funds, as well as contributions from the community college.
Roxbury Community College, for renovations to the Academic and Media Arts building and plan for new infrastructure related to life science and allied health programing for $20.7 million.
Mount Wachusett Community College for modernization to the Haley building and a wet lab addition for $37.9 million.
Berkshire Community College for a renovation of the Hawthorne and Melville Halls, including exterior masonry repairs for $21.1 million.
Springfield Technical Community College for major envelope repairs and other renovations needed at the main classroom and student activity building for $6.8 million. The project scope will address serious water infiltration and resultant mold in the stairways and the auditorium.
Examples of ongoing projects include:
Northern Essex Community College for a $26 million new allied health building sited in a key location in downtown Lawrence.
Quinsigamond Community College for study, design and construction of a new academic building for $23.1 million.
Over the five year plan, the Commonwealth has planned to invest $259 million on state college and university projects. For FY13, the plan includes:
Examples of ongoing projects include:
Fitchburg State University for construction of a $57 million science facility which includes an addition and renovation to the existing Condike Science Building. This project will provide new teaching labs, classrooms and offices and demolish the Parkinson Gymnasium.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for construction of a $54.5 million new Science and Innovation Center for teaching labs, classrooms, offices, a greenhouse and labs for K-12 educators. This project also includes the renovation of Bowman Hall.
Salem State University for construction a new $74 million library and learning Commons. This project includes the demolition of the existing library which had to be closed due to structural deficiencies.
Framingham State University for construction of major renovations to the existing Hemenway Hall and Annex, which includes the addition of wet labs. This project is funded by the bond bill and borrowing from MSCBA with a total cost of $61 million.
Worcester State University for a new Wellness Center, including the demolition of the existing gymnasium for $50.7 million. This project will be funded by the higher education bond bill and borrowing from MSCBA.
Over the five year plan, the Commonwealth has planned to spend $607 million on University of Massachusetts projects with an additional $50 million or more in new projects or deferred maintenance to be identified. New UMass projects include:
A new physical science building UMass Amherst, currently estimated at $85 million that will accommodate enrollment growth and higher demand in science programs.
A new management building for the Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell, which leverages approximately $10 million in private donations to support the $35 million project.
A new academic classroom building at UMass Boston, preliminarily estimated at $100 million, which will address the demands of continued enrollment growth at the University and the drive to provide an academic setting in which cutting edge teaching pedagogy can be accommodated.
Examples of ongoing projects include:
A new $156.5 million cutting-edge research science building at UMass Amherst, which will support engineering and science research in both wet and dry laboratory space will be opening this fall.
A new $40 million Health and Social Sciences Building at UMass Lowell, which will provide new general classrooms and new state of the art teaching spaces for the Department of Criminal Justice, Nursing and Psychology.
The $43 million Carney Library expansion and renovation project at UMass Dartmouth, which will provide the campus with a renovated, state-of-the-art library.
A new $180 million integrated science center building at UMass Boston that will provide a state-of-the-art new laboratory, research and teaching space to support science programs and a signature building at the entrance to the campus.
A new $85 million academic building at the UMass Amherst campus, which will accommodate space for the Department of Communications and Journalism and the Department of Linguistics, along with classrooms to accommodate 1,800 seats.