SGA, admins discuss future plans for campus

By Amy Koski
News Editor

In an administrators’ forum deemed “really helpful” by President Timothy Flanagan, SGA asked administrators questions regarding on-campus diversity and recycling, future university status and concerns about FSC’s four-credit course system hindering on-time graduation.

The administrators present were Flanagan, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Robert Martin, Senior Vice President of Administration, Finance and Technology Dr. Dale Hamel, Dr. Ellen Zimmerman and Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education Dr. Scott Greenberg.

The question-and-answer session began when Senator-at-Large Lumyr Derisier asked how Flanagan feels about the campus’ diversity and how he believes “university status” will affect it. Flanagan said he does not believe there is any direct link between FSC becoming a university and the campus’ diversity.

He did say, however, that he could see a connection between the two because “if we made progress on both those fronts, it would strengthen our campus. … Students learn more, retain more, and grow more when they’re in a diverse environment.”

Senator-at-Large Mike Long asked Flanagan if there are any other benefits to FSC attaining university status.
Flanagan said, “Several.” He noted it has the potential to attract more international students, which “would also make us more competitive.” He referenced an increase in enrollment at Plymouth State after the school became “Plymouth State University.”

Danielle Farmer, senator-at-large, asked if there will be in increase in price for students if FSC becomes Framingham State University.

Flanagan said, “Prices are going to go up regardless.”

He said while “we’re very proud” that FSC is the most affordable, yet most selective, state school, prices must go up.

“We wouldn’t be able to use any state-appropriated tax money to change signs, letterheads” and other items that would require a change from “college” to “university.”

He said the reason prices are going to go up “is that in the last two-and-a-half years, the commonwealth of Massachusetts has been engaged in a [significant] financial disinvestment of public higher education.

“A little bit less than two years ago, we topped out at almost $25 million a year, that came to us from the legislature, in terms of state tax dollars. … Next year, starting July 1, that number is going to drop to $19.1 million. With increases in energy costs, we’re going to be looking at a $7 million budget cut.”

He added, “One of the ways we’re going to have to think about filling that budget gap is by raising fees. Now, the counter to that is that we happen to have a Board of Trustees that is very concerned with student fees.

“So the reality is everyone is going to have to” raise fees to make up for the budget cuts, but Flanagan said he is “confident that changing the name to a university is not going to add to that price tag.”

Flanagan said faculty have been supportive of the name change, as long as the “culture” of the school is not changed.
Senator-at-Large Kat Tylicki referenced Plymouth State’s 27 percent enrollment increase after it became a university and asked, “Can we support that? Right now it seems like people are living in lounges in Towers - where are we going put [another] 27 percent?”

Another senator-at-large said the school needs new students to overcome budget deficits, but asked how FSC can afford cafeteria expansions, a new parking garage and a new residence hall.

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