Seeks to achieve state-student funding balance
WORCESTER - December 14, 2011:With UMass President Robert L. Caret saying that the University and its students need to return to a posture where the state is subsidizing at least 50 percent of the University's general educational expenses, the UMass Board of Trustees today approved a $502 million budget request for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.
President Caret said that the state this year is funding 45 percent of the University's general education budget, with students and their families picking up 55 percent of the cost. As recently as a decade ago, the state funded 63 percent of the UMass general education budget.
"We need to reverse this trend and create a situation where the state is providing at least 50 percent of the funding," said President Caret, who noted that a 50-50 funding split is now the norm nationwide.
According to a University analysis, it would require a state funding increase of $87 million to reach a 50-50 state-student funding distribution in Fiscal Year 2013, which begins on July 1.
In the budget proposal approved by the Board of Trustees today, the University is seeking a state appropriation of $502 million, an $84 million increase over this year's $418 million in funding. An $84 million increase would bring the University close to achieving the 50-50 funding balance.
"We need to ease the burden on students and their families and recognize that an educated citizenry is critical to making social and economic progress in the Commonwealth," President Caret said.
Contact: Robert P. Connolly, 617-548-0238