Romney opts out of meeting chancellors

ov. Mitt Romney this week canceled a Wednesday meeting with the five UMass chancellors after they raised objections that President William M. Bulger was not invited to attend the discussion of a proposed reorganization of public higher education.

     The meeting would have been the first between the chancellors and Romney since the governor unveiled plans to cut the University's funding and eliminate the President's Office. Romney has already met with presidents of the 15 community colleges and nine state colleges.

     Citing Bulger's statutory authority as the leader of the University system, Board of Trustees Chairman Grace K. Fey last week sent a letter to Romney indicating that she, Vice Chairman William Giblin and the chancellors would not attend the meeting without the president.

     Meanwhile, UMass Lowell Chancellor William Hogan has proposed a reorganization plan that would preserve the University system and create single boards of trustees for the state and community colleges sectors, according to the Lowell Sun. The Hogan plan also emphasizes regional linkages among all three sectors.