UMass license plate in the works

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

lumni and other campus supporters could be sporting UMass license plates on their cars in the near future, under recently enacted legislation.

     UMass was among a number of organizations authorized in a general bill to create distinctive license plates. The measure is aimed at meeting the demand for specialty plates while limiting the cost to the state by requiring a $100,000 bond from participating organizations and setting minimum levels of participation.

     According to Susan G. Mattei, assistant vice chancellor for Alumni Relations and executive director of the Alumni Association, plans for a UMass plate are coming together.

     "We've been working on the plate design, which may take a while," she said. "The plate will be marketed through the Alumni Association. We have to have the plate design approved, then 1,500 people have to pay for the special plates before we are allowed to actually offer them."

     Along with posting the $100,000 bond with the Registry, said Mattei, the Alumni Association will need to sign up an additional 3,000 plate holders for the program to move forward.

     Once the initial state expenses have been reimbursed, the profits generated from a UMass license plate would be used for scholarships.
The original UMass license plate bill was filed by Rep. Christopher Hodgkins (D-Lee), who has since left office, and Rep. Ellen Story (D-Amherst).