Source: Massachusetts Public Higher Education Network
Representatives from the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM) gathered at the Massachusetts State House in Boston on Tuesday, March 26, to attend a Committee on Ways and Means budget hearing and advocate for more funding for public higher education. .
Phenom emphasized the dire need for more public higher education funding, given continued tuition increases in the University of Massachusetts system, the ever-growing student debt crisis, and inadequate resources for university personnel and campus buildings. .
“Education…is the tide that lifts all boats,” said Henry Morgan, PHENOM's executive director. “Increase financial aid funding in public higher education to enable class mobility and self-actualization for all.”
Several PHENOM-approved bills designed to solve these problems include: Cherish Act (S.824/H.1325), Future debt free law (H.1265/S.823)and the Endowment Tax Act (H. 2824), which still lack the support needed to pass.
“Massachusetts opened a lot of doors for me,” said Mekaela White, a Phenom member and senior MIT graduate, who credited friendships, internships, and professors with shaping her into the person she is today. I spoke.
“These are opportunities that everyone should have,” White continued in her testimony to representatives. “We are looking for talented people like you. [to give everyone in Massachusetts the same access to public higher education]”
le is a grassroots coalition of students, faculty, staff, alumni, business leaders, families, and community members fighting for high-quality, debt-free public universities in Massachusetts.
