[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6023875,"mediaKeyId","5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a","parentId",5761383,"title","Faculty rights and adjunct reforms draw broad testimony; bills would expand tenure transparency and adjunct protections","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4725000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a&start=4725&end=4725","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a/thumbnail_4725000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6023875/Massachusetts/Faculty-rights-and-adjunct-reforms-draw-broad-testimony-bills-would-expand-tenure-transparency-and-adjunct-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6023875-df9eaba0c6b4c4f38b978f9bc209fb61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181445&Signature=mqEPg-Q3djkHvplqlUlpclXseJ0eXd1Kl7R3rvdNNUQaoX25dEdzvkiR0OOQY54atWNXtOlGshfbXXo-MY2Y3qZAJrTgDn0~F-Cz-sgY8u01MRZaQV~6ntBAF0NXmpu74ugrlMsZAM7ZBLpd-STnKV9Fq-VzVz~COnxZb9pIFzoPFvHw4AH8BLeseSjgvVWqxxlT1mmKqnhxvy0f4FXcX24jNnKDFHTfxV7gzKWNBnU8j2rI0PjuLKJxECGLXZOXv2BVH6hg~JYkjyCcCNIDuZGZy6sxF8wxBjaGHfVmxwwq3kBK1W-anpb9cgvegL0VZgyLci-SWQr7tloR~zJlhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-09-11T00:00:00Z","article","A coalition of faculty leaders, union representatives and adjunct instructors told the Joint Committee on Higher Education that a set of bills pending before the committee would improve fairness, academic quality and student outcomes by protecting tenure candidates, raising adjunct pay, expanding benefits and creating clear career pathways for contingent faculty.

Open‑meeting right for tenure candidates: Grant O’Reilly, an associate professor at UMass Dartmouth, testified on S.933, an act relative to the rights of faculty members at the University of Massachusetts. The bill would give faculty under consideration for tenure the right to attend the UMass Board of Trustees meeting where their case is considered and to speak on their own behalf. “The trustees hold an immense amount of power and their decisions regarding tenure can change the trajectory of our careers,” O’Reilly said.

Adjunct and contingent faculty reforms: Multiple witnesses urged passage of bills that would apply across community colleges, state universities and UMass campuses. Senator Eldridge, sponsor of S.930 (with House companion H.3948), said contingent faculty teach a substantial share of coursework and often lack job security, benefits and a path to full‑time positions. The Massachusetts Teachers Association and union leaders called adjuncts “the exploited gig workers of public higher education,” and urged pay parity, access to healthcare and retirement benefits for part‑time faculty who teach half‑time or more across campuses.

Personal testimony: Several adjuncts described precarious livelihoods. Phyllis Keenan, an adjunct math instructor, said she teaches multiple part‑time courses at different colleges and lacks employer‑provided health insurance or access to the state retirement system. Julia Brito and Ashley Brogna described semester‑to‑semester income volatility that they said undermines both their well‑being and students’ consistency of instruction. Joe Nardoni of the Massachusetts Community College Council called the current arrangement “morally repugnant,” describing multi‑decade adjunct careers without advancement or employer retirement contributions.

Proposals and technical issues: Testimony discussed several possible remedies: (1) pay parity so adjunct course pay is proportional to a full‑time faculty salary equivalent; (2) threshold access to health insurance and retirement for adjuncts teaching a half‑time or greater aggregate load across campuses; (3) internal hiring preference and transparent interview processes for conversion to full‑time roles; and (4) structured career ladders and professional development. Witnesses noted implementation complexity across multiple public higher education systems and suggested statutory direction and centralized data systems to track cross‑campus teaching loads.

Next steps: Sponsors and unions asked the committee for a favorable report and for further work on specifics such as precise pay‑parity calculations, threshold definitions for benefits eligibility, and mechanisms to prioritize qualified adjuncts for full‑time positions. No formal votes were taken at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee on Higher Education - 9-11-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple bills — including S.933 (tenure procedure transparency at UMass), S.930/H.3948 (contingent faculty rights), S.934 (faculty advancement pilot), and S.940/H.1429 (adjunct bill of rights) — drew testimony on job security, pay parity, benefits and career pathways for contingent and adjunct faculty across public higher education sectors.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6023880,"Community college leaders ask Legislature to let current-use donations qualify for endowment match",126,4267000,4393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a&start=4267&end=4393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a/thumbnail_4267000.jpg","/articles/6023880/Massachusetts/Community-college-leaders-ask-Legislature-to-let-current-use-donations-qualify-for-endowment-match","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6023880-44f15430fe559d9f4bc510a3ae2857fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181445&Signature=GjhPYQP6gh8ggyQZFIAl4hhj~vPGC7PRWRLNWF8QxyUORoVNp34yGN41z4xLioREhryi~O61CSYDWl385wh-vI95IsbauBTwttlbcnrRWE-ufSZ63Gxtzu1Wh8t-34xL~UDW1YAjBzLRR-hQFLxQQIPCs2cg1nxkfAfQr207iPpfAoJ~pJgpMhxKhK-2buTlTOBol4fpGSA0NVJaUjkF820cVXAE~zigGKZvFIHh~NF-5WzNh8KKXuZqM15Ooaf-I1~O0E66Z4FjjVC6KSKqU~kDOQohxOSSuj5JD4GzhY99TU-~uPICQKNfNwZSUFt7rJsbKQDTFN-SClv9wuawEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marilyn Kuhar, chief advancement officer at Bunker Hill Community College, and Amanda Sabrisha, vice president of institutional advancement at Holyoke Community College, testified in support of S.919/H.1454, which would modify the Public Higher Education Endowment Incentive Program so that community college foundations can receive the state matching dollar for dollar on private donations intended for current use as well as endowment or capital projects.

Current law, the witnesses said, limits the match to gifts to endowments and capital projects. Endowments take large initial gifts and many years to produce spendable income; community colleges increasingly rely on donations for immediate student needs such as food pantries, emergency grants, equipment, uniforms and childcare assistance. “Do we ask a donor for $10,000 for an endowed fund, or that same amount to fund grocery purchases from our food pantry?” Kuhar asked.

Both witnesses said the change would make community colleges more attractive to donors who want immediate impact and would amplify donors’ contributions with state matching funds. Testimony emphasized that community colleges generally have smaller donor bases and less fundraising staff than larger universities, so broadening eligible gifts would increase equity in access to the state match.

No committee vote was taken at the hearing. Witnesses asked the committee to advance the bill and said they would provide supplemental information about projected match amounts and implementation steps.","Representatives of Massachusetts community colleges told the Joint Committee on Higher Education that current statutes limit the state endowment match to endowed gifts and capital projects, disadvantaging community colleges; they seek S.919/H.1454 to allow current‑use gifts to qualify for the state $1:$2 match.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6023885,"Sponsor urges extending MassReconnect scholarships to vocational practical nursing students to fill LPN shortage",253,1207000,1460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a&start=1207&end=1460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a/thumbnail_1207000.jpg","/articles/6023885/Massachusetts/Sponsor-urges-extending-MassReconnect-scholarships-to-vocational-practical-nursing-students-to-fill-LPN-shortage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6023885-56ab794f358435168dcece44ae74b037/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181445&Signature=Wc1dFvsy34SaMyU4P~u8mem0oEbAIDu9XgfXp6RLgr-uD5DcCnoEuvr7jumrgeRRTn5aAs3wWXY7DTL1yeYE32TvfUC0EbbbFLjUNnz0wnrh6eW6k5BE9BVSlVqqlm8DgKT7Xh9hBXa8zQeQWLP5XNbEOEGChAXSdGkaMVcrSJk18kM9eDLqxZccyuBXkDzvSRmFm159bwI4tLXA4nxLa3rO0U5tSYKLb6~5cJcZsAT1VUWXnOOkcsLmiqXqsCFVDi-h~fvpYuti-yVYjIdPLtT8aVLOiZdCHeWyai7LJQOM9MSls1HmV-spEnLACImxIDEoMLkrUYcJB2MferObzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Stanley testified in support of H.1461, which seeks to expand eligibility for the MassReconnect tuition assistance program to students enrolled in practical nursing programs at career/vocational-technical education (VOTECH) schools.

Why it matters: Stanley said the Commonwealth faces a long‑term care workforce shortage, with a 2024 Massachusetts Healthcare Workforce Survey (CHIA) showing roughly a 20 percent vacancy rate for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in nursing homes and an estimate that the sector needs hundreds of additional direct‑care workers to meet minimum staffing requirements. He told the committee that community colleges graduate about 300 practical nursing students annually while vocational schools could graduate roughly 600, potentially tripling the pipeline if given access to MassReconnect funds.

Testimony highlights and implementation context: Stanley said extending MassReconnect would create additional pathways for low‑income and geographically isolated students who lack nearby community college practical‑nursing programs. He framed H.1461 as a complement to the long‑term care bill passed last session and asked the committee to report the bill favorably.

No formal action was taken at the hearing. Representative Stanley said he would submit written testimony and the committee did not vote on the measure during the session.","Representative Stanley told the committee that House bill H.1461 would expand MassReconnect tuition assistance to practical nursing programs at vocational (VOTECH) schools to address LPN shortages in long‑term care.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6023890,"Advocates urge state to accept IEPs, 504 plans as sufficient documentation for college accommodations",567,2999000,3566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a&start=2999&end=3566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a/thumbnail_2999000.jpg","/articles/6023890/Massachusetts/Advocates-urge-state-to-accept-IEPs-504-plans-as-sufficient-documentation-for-college-accommodations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6023890-7204d7ce03def8a600cd97e20794250e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181445&Signature=WixJwOv5VJuy2bG8XV5qE47~g8m0l-Z2opvfcQflBg7SwgtcQrKmwZUJyvPeBGC3u249A2UOzYPabMwtN6BCY3I5aqN-ekzu5b-M7YW9oTVHP41ToSR0tJHJXl8zyvNqehppr1DZ4CI5AN-OUIMVKxo9Yvto6y3C-VUSoNiMW2GfMCKRDEwBCCyU~V5HygEX2Gj-hY2NT0C1kdfnjY2nmmRnI3vXqVXfURe2abHfmoxQTOVfFz770S~1WdwpONMz8jALN-gy4djFk0PVEUizlk2CtD2DeaoMawvB8iuUPVnmhItp5nc1HXbkecjOH4-NpVM2PD6W2lwn8ClqX-F63A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Erin Mayo, an advocate with the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and other experts told the Joint Committee on Higher Education that H.1433 would reduce financial and administrative barriers for college students seeking accommodations by allowing colleges to accept IEPs and 504 plans as sufficient documentation.

“Disabilities do not disappear once a student graduates high school,” Mayo testified, describing how many students are forced to pay for expensive neuropsychological testing — commonly quoted at $1,500 to $3,000 — to prove a lifelong disability after they matriculate.

Researchers and advocates explained the current process. Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, told the committee that colleges often require recent evaluations — typically within 18 months — before granting accommodations, and that uneven campus practices produce wide variation: the percentage of students identified with disabilities across state universities in Massachusetts ranges from about 3 percent to 22 percent, which she said “clearly indicate[s] disparities in access to information and quality of support.”

Witnesses said the bill is not meant to force institutions to provide specific services but to remove the initial barrier that keeps students from entering the campus disability‑services conversation. “All this legislation asks for is that when a student goes to the disability or accessibility office, they aren't turned away to prove the disability exists,” Dr. Todd Bridwell (testifying as Dr. Todd Bridal in the hearing) said.

Supporters also noted research showing that students with learning disabilities frequently have co‑occurring mental‑health needs and that collegiate programs with stable, multi‑source funding serve more students and offer more robust services.

No formal committee vote occurred; sponsors and advocates asked the committee to report H.1433 favorably and to consider how standardized treatment of IEPs and 504 plans could reduce inequities for low‑income and first‑generation students.","Proposed H.1433 would require public higher education institutions to accept Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans as adequate documentation when students request disability accommodations, removing a barrier that forces costly re‑testing.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6023895,"Mass. committee hears bill to require recovery housing and naloxone on public college campuses",1804,337000,2141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a&start=337&end=2141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5761383-0ee2e0b45e7b682b47727ee3dc50fe5a/thumbnail_337000.jpg","/articles/6023895/Massachusetts/Mass-committee-hears-bill-to-require-recovery-housing-and-naloxone-on-public-college-campuses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6023895-742493328a9ff383adbeb527128da78a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181445&Signature=bCPFaRNCKuM1jLDm2ni~2NotRpD-zg9zmjdBujyLor2vcyfm1bjFfsZRSjCkHYtQ8eeTStdaODeheIzNCdt~qrWBDTNjNPKlBtEoqT-gqgY5iKPXu56fpNRYo80elUuFkCd0G1NJX9FR-822dlqgkj5~t2ilNNEcf8E7J7nfSyf9rl0o0iNnQpNN8e2-5soN0HMqb~x7lwnh3edSezJH9-OdRU0Dg8OvZmqUyeFYEzumht3lOw2UX9vxMwk676pJSLVKlQQAe~xcdTgL2HOHFxovj6tbEurhZdapJ3bdJ3v~pYJvuBof6VdEnftWvu4BSa1ZeYV7eJw2HWLSC4OXWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Rausch urged the Joint Committee on Higher Education to report favorably on S.951 and H.1462, bills “to support college students in recovery,” saying the legislation would require recovery-focused housing on Massachusetts public college campuses and expand naloxone access and training.

The bills would require public universities, state colleges and community colleges to provide recovery housing — designated, alcohol- and drug-free living environments paired with trauma-informed counseling, peer mentoring and supportive services — and to make naloxone available on campus alongside training for students and staff.

Why it matters: Testimony emphasized that the current drug supply is increasingly contaminated with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and that young people can be at risk even with limited experimentation. “Youth do not need a substance use disorder to die of an overdose,” said Dr. Britney Carney, a nurse practitioner at Boston Medical Center, who told the committee that having naloxone on campus is “just like having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.”

Evidence and precedents: Senator Rausch and other witnesses pointed to New Jersey and Rutgers University’s program as a model. Rausch said Rutgers established the nation’s first campus recovery housing with a reported 95 percent recovery rate and an average student GPA of 3.2. Academic and public-health researchers on the panel said surveys show many students are willing to intervene in an overdose but lack training: a Boston University study cited by Yukino Nakamura found only about 14 percent of surveyed 18-to-25-year-olds knew how to administer naloxone.

Panel remarks and technical details: Jamie Sanislo, who founded a campus naloxone outreach program, described training’s effect on willingness to act, saying trainings “give people the confidence and willingness to actually intervene.” Noel Vest, an assistant professor at Boston University School of Public Health, cited research showing students in collegiate recovery often face co-occurring mental-health needs and that programs with diversified, sustainable funding serve more students and offer more services, including recovery housing.

Budget and implementation notes: Senator Rausch told the committee that last session a $50,000 pilot program was included in the state budget to support creation of recovery housing at public institutions; she said she would follow up with the Department of Higher Education on how that pilot is being dispersed. Dr. Christina Freibaugh noted that Massachusetts colleges may already participate in the Department of Public Health’s naloxone community program and, through the State Office of Pharmacy Services, can obtain naloxone at partial or full subsidy.

What the bill would and would not do: Supporters framed S.951/H.1462 as setting minimum expectations — making recovery housing available where campuses choose to implement it and requiring naloxone availability and training — while leaving operational details to campuses and state agencies. Witnesses urged the committee to add sustainable funding pathways to ensure programs can operate long term.

No committee vote or formal action was taken at the hearing. The sponsors and multiple witnesses asked the committee to report the bills favorably so agencies and campuses can develop and scale programs.

Outlook: Committee members asked for follow-up information on the budget pilot and how New Jersey structured eligibility and implementation. Supporters said they will provide additional documentation to the committee and Department of Higher Education staff.","A Joint Committee on Higher Education hearing focused on S.951/H.1462, which would encourage recovery-focused housing and require naloxone availability and training at public higher education institutions. Advocates cited rising youth fentanyl deaths and pointed to New Jersey and Rutgers as models.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Faculty rights and adjunct reforms draw broad testimony; bills would expand tenure transparency and adjunct protections

Community college leaders ask Legislature to let current-use donations qualify for endowment match

Sponsor urges extending MassReconnect scholarships to vocational practical nursing students to fill LPN shortage

Advocates urge state to accept IEPs, 504 plans as sufficient documentation for college accommodations

Mass. committee hears bill to require recovery housing and naloxone on public college campuses