Section 215 Higher Education Quality and Affordability Commission

(a) The board of higher education shall convene a task force to study and make recommendations on improving quality and affordability of higher education in the commonwealth, including state financial assistance programs for students domiciled in the commonwealth and attending the university of Massachusetts segment or the state university segment as defined under section 5 of chapter 15A of the General Laws.

The task force shall review and evaluate: (i) state assistance programs and funding, including, but not limited to, aid for tuition, fees, books, supplies and other costs of attendance and make recommendations to ensure the accessibility and affordability of said higher education institutions and how to achieve best outcomes; (ii) student costs and debts during and after attending said universities; (iii) programs that improve student success, including, but not limited to, academic support, career counseling, assistance with applying for state and federal benefits and improvements to facilities; (iv) improvements needed to increase the recruitment and retention of qualified adjunct and full-time faculty and staff; and (v) financial assistance program design and models to efficiently increase state assistance, improve outcomes and reduce student costs. The task force shall consider financial, logistical, cultural and other barriers affecting students, the financial resources of the state, the financial resources of students attending university and make recommendations to reduce barriers and increase access to high-quality higher education. The department of higher education may provide staff and research support to assist the task force.

(b) The task force shall consist of: 2 members of the board of higher education, who shall serve as co-chairs; the chairs of the joint committee on higher education or their designees; the secretary of education, or a designee; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; the commissioner of higher education, or a designee; the president of the University of Massachusetts, or a designee; a representative of the state universities; a representative of the community colleges; 5 persons appointed by the governor, 2 of whom shall represent faculty or staff working at a university and 2 of whom shall represent students currently enrolled at a public institution of higher education; the executive director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Inc. or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Inc. or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, or a designee; the executive director from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, or a designee; and the executive director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, Inc.

(c) The commission shall submit an initial report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the house and senate committee on ways and means not later than December 15, 2024. The commission shall submit a final report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the house and senate committee on ways and means not later than March 31, 2025.