UMass president proposes tuition freeze in light of pandemic
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UMass Amherst
UMass President Marty Meehan will recommend the university network's board of trustees vote to freeze tuition for the university's 50,000 in-state undergraduate students in the upcoming academic year, citing concerns about how the coronavirus has financially impacted students and their families, the school announced on Wednesday.
The Board of Trustees Committee on Administration and Finances is set to establish student charges at its June 10 meeting, with a full board vote scheduled for June 17.
Robert Manning, the chairperson of the UMass Board of Trustees, praised Meehan's proposal in a joint statement, although it was not immediately clear whether the rest of the board members were expected to vote in favor of the freeze.
"President Meehan’s recommended tuition freeze demonstrates his concern for our students and their families and the financial hardships many are facing during these unprecedented times," Manning said in a statement. "This is a concern that our chancellors and members of the Board of Trustees share."
UMass intends to continue doling out extensive financial aid, projecting that, by year-end, the school will have provided $395 million in aid for the 2019-2020 school year.
In a statement, Meehan said his proposal is the appropriate course and the right thing to do.
“During this time of stress and uncertainty for our students and their families, we need to keep our high-quality programs and the benefits of a UMass degree as accessible and affordable as possible,” he said.
The University is also operating relief funds at each of its campuses, including UMass Medical School, which has a separate Learner Emergency Relief Fund.
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