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The MassachusettsState University System

Presentation of State College Council of PresidentsBoard of Higher EducationNovember 16, 2007

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Proposed Legislation Will: Create a state university system

Grant each institution the authority to change its name from “college” to “university”

Grant institutions the authority to offer doctoral degrees consistent with their mission and capability (with BHE and NEASC approval)

Not change current collective bargainingunits

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The Foundation is Strong

Excellence in undergraduate education

Strong graduate programs in numerous fields

Enroll 10,000+ graduate students

Grant 2,000+ master’s degrees and CAGS annually

Substantial scholarly activity, research and community service

Competitive Positioning 45 of the 50 States have state universities

(Exceptions – Nebraska, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont and Massachusetts)

All Carnegie Classification “Post-Bacc Comprehensives” are universities except Massachusetts

90% of BHE-selected peer institutions arestate universities

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Evolution of Educational System Anticipate changes in educational needs of society:

Normal Schools Teacher’s Colleges State Colleges State Universities

Convey range of educational and scholarship opportunities available to students and faculty

Serving the changing needs of students, communities, regional economies and the state

Ready to Advance: Bridgewater & Salem Students and Graduates

101 graduate programs 4,293 graduate students 998 graduate degrees

Academic Structure Provost and Academic Vice President Deans

Secondary Accreditation6

Breadth of Institutions in One System Doctoral-Level Professional

Large Post-baccalaureate Comprehensive

Small Post-baccalaureate Comprehensive

Council of Public Liberal Arts College (COPLAC)

Special Focus

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Proposed State University System Will:

NOT change institutions’ core missions

NOT change the governance structure

NOT increase costs to the Commonwealth

NOT cause a proliferation of new programs

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The Future“The Commonwealth must guarantee access to

affordable, quality public higher education to ensure economic competitiveness and stability, as well as ever-

increasing quality of life for its citizens.”

BHE Chair Fred Clark, October 2007

A State University System advances this aim through competitive, expanded, high quality education for students

throughout the Commonwealth.

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