University of Massachusetts president-elect Marty Meehan met with Gov. Charlie Baker Tuesday for the first time since Meehan was chosen to lead the five-campus system.
Both men stressed that online education will be a top priority. Baker praised Meehan’s commitment to web-based learning as chancellor at the Lowell campus.
“One of the things that impressed me about UMass Lowell is that they’re doing $40 million a year worth of online education,” Baker said.
Meehan says last year 53 percent of the graduates at Lowell took at least one online course.
“Online provides an opportunity to provide access to people who work, people who are raising families and we need to expand that,” he said.
Meehan would not say if he thinks tuition or fee increases are necessary this year. But he did say academic programs need to have a business plan — and bring in revenue.
Meehan begins his new position July 1.
