In anticipation of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s new fiscal year budget, the five student trustees of the University of Massachusetts system released a statement Thursday expressing appreciation for the major investment the state is making in UMass this year, and urging state government leaders to complete the two-year 50-50 cycle by approving an equivalent funding hike in the upcoming year.
UMass Medical School student Patrick Lowe is one of the trustees. He told WGBH that they are asking for equivalent matched funding from the state and the students.
“Last year the state budget was increased so that students were covering 50 percent of their education costs, and the state would be covering the other 50 percent. We’re asking for that to continue in this year’s budget, which would require in increase in funding for the university this year,” Lowe said.
Right now UMass is receiving $479 million in state funding, as a result of a $40 million increase, and it is seeking $519 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1, Lowe said.
Listen to the full interview with Patrick Lowe here:
