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Voice Your UMass Support and Vote!

 

Action:	Ask the candidates to Make UMass and Public Higher Education Matter in Massachusetts
Deadline:	September 16, 2002
Date:	August 2002

Background: This is an election year. Ask the gubernatorial and legislative candidates about their position on UMass and the state of public higher education in Massachusetts.

The gubernatorial candidates have presented their views of K-12 education reform, however there is a deafening silence from their campaigns regarding public higher education and its connection to K-12 education.

The missing link:

Secondary education, which has been a major state political focus and the beneficiary of increased state financial support since 1993, is merely a precursor for the higher educational attainment required in today's economy. We must be concerned about the adequacy of K-12 as a foundation for college success, but high school diplomas are not the panacea for this State's economic survival. Our economic vitality depends on higher education attainment. [Massachusetts Public Higher Education: A Shrewd Investment with Significant Returns, 4.]

Public Higher Education and the Economy

In this information and technology-based economy, a high school diploma or equivalent is not adequate preparation for employment in the current job market.

In his presentation to the Board of Higher Education [BHE], Chairman Stephen Tocco noted:

Massachusetts Public higher education institutions educate 63% of in-state students. Approximately 75% Masschusetts residents attend college in-state.

85% of the jobs in a knowledge-based economy require postsecondary education.

75% of public higher education graduates enter the Massachusetts' workforce after graduation.

Massachusetts state appropriations for public higher education are not keeping pace with peer states -- [Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Mayland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington].

Other independent studies support Chairman Tocco's findings. The American Dream Project, a study sponsored by the Center for Labor Market Studies and MassINC noted,

“College Education Required” --The income gains that come from each additional year of schooling have increased dramatically. Families with less education have been increasingly penalized, creating a widening income gap. Having at least a two-year college degree has become a pre-requisite for a middle-class standard of living.

Major Findings: The transformation of the state’s economy over the past twenty years can be seen in a dramatic increase since 1979 in the number of college-educated workers (up 415,000) and a decrease in workers holding high school degrees (down 156,000). In 1983, 30% of all jobs in the state were in occupations that required a college degree; today that number is 38% and rising. Since 1979 real family incomes have increased only for those families headed by someone with a bachelor’s degree (up $8,000 or 11%) or an advanced degree (up $24,000 or 30%). Families headed by high school dropouts were severely punished (down $7,000 or 21%), families headed by high school graduates failed to make any progress (down 1%). By 1999 the typical family headed by a person with a bachelor’s degree earned three times as much as a family headed by a high school dropout. In 1979 the ratio was 2.2:1.

What can you do?

Ask the candidates about their positions on the University and public higher education. Consider the following:

• If Massachusetts is going to invest in public elementary and secondary education, shouldn't the gubernatorial and legislative candidates be committed to providing and supporting high-quality public higher education institutions?

• Do the candidates' K-12 educational policies create linkages between pre-school, primary, and secondary school through college and post-graduate education?

• Is life-long learning a priority within the Commonwealth?

• The governor has the power to set the Commonwealth's priorities. Is public higher education a priority for the gubernatorial candidates?

• Does the state legislature take pride in and responsibility for the Commonwealth's public higher education system?

• Is the status and reputation of the University, the state and community colleges a source of pride for all members of the House and Senate?

Contact the Candidates. Ask them to Make UMass and Public Higher Education Matter in the Commonwealth.

Attend candidate forums and events.

Note your support for UMass and public higher education.

Tell the candidates that you are a registered voter and that you vote.

Ask the candidates for their positions on public higher education and UMass. Constituents determine the issues that are important to candidates.

Check out the UMass Alumni Association's legislative and gubernatorial survey results on-line.

Write a letter-to-the-editor or an opinion/editorial piece to your local newspaper. This is a good way to raise the issue in your local area.

Consider donating your time and/or money to a candidate's campaign.

Let the gubernatorial and legislative candidates know...UMass Votes!

Elected officials respond to the priorities and concerns of their constituents -- the people who live in their districts, who vote for them, and who support their campaigns.

You make UMass an issue for your elected officials, when you note your concern for the University.

Elected officials, such as the governor and legislators, have the power and the opportunity to make the University and public higher education a priority for the Commonwealth.

Vote!

Voice your UMass support.

Why is voting in the primary important?

Primaries narrow the field of candidates and determine the choices for the general election in November.

In many legislative races, the primary election determines the outcome. After the primary, in many races, there are no challengers on the ballot in November.

You will shape the debate for the general election by voting in the September primary.

If you aren't able to make it to the polls Tuesday, September 17th, you may apply for an absentee ballot. How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot.

The MA state primary is Tuesday, September 17, 2002.

Please note, if you are an unenrolled [independent] registered voter, you can vote in the primaries without enrolling in a party prior to voting.

After voting in the primary, you will remain unenrolled [independent] unless you choose to change your party enrollment status.

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Electoral Resources:
MA Primary and Election Schedule Information
Voter Registration Form Request
How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot
How to Register to Vote
Voting on Election Day

Campaign 2002
2002 State Primary Democratic Candidates
2002 State Primary Republican Candidates (PDF, 40k)
2002 State Primary Libertarian Candidates (PDF, 40k)
2002 State Primary Green Candidates (PDF, 40k)


Chronology of Campaign 2002
Governor's Race
The Boston Herald's Election 2002
The Union News Election Coverage
Massachusetts League of Women Voters
02133 Massachusetts Politics and Policy Online

Redistricting
Redistricting: What is it?
New Representative Districts
New Senatorial Districts

Political Parties
Massachusetts Democratic Party
Massachusetts Green Party
Massachusetts Libertarian Party
Massachusetts Republican Party

Thank you for making UMass matter in your district.

Make a Note...UMass Votes!

DON'T FORGET TO CLOSE THE LOOP!

Make your actions count! Report your activities to Cheryl L. Dukes at 800-772-6155 or cdukes@urd.umass.edu. Updated October 7, 2002.