PHENOM Lobby Day & Founding Convention
The election of Deval Patrick has inspired hope among many stakeholders of Massachusetts' system of public higher education. With the election of this governor, we have a unique opportunity to push forward a bold, progressive agenda for quality, affordable, well-funded public higher education.
There is no single organization that advocates for public higher education in Massachusetts. In the past, unions, student groups, and other advocates have often lobbied separately, and rarely coordinated their agendas. This has made it hard to mobilize parents, alumni, and the tens of thousands of people who have a stake in an improved system. Having the diverse constituents united in one organization will promote an inclusive, respectful and productive integration of goals, allowing for a coordinated and powerful effort on behalf of all of public higher education in Massachusetts. That statewide organization, now forming, is tentatively called PHENOM – the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts.
PHENOM will hold its founding convention at the Statehouse (at the Grand Staircase) Thursday, February 22nd from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This day will include elections for an interim PHENOM organizing committee; a brief training on lobbying; and we will break into small groups to meet individually with legislatures.
While PHENOM will return to the State House later this spring, the governor's budget ("House 1") is set at the end of this month, on 2/28/07! With a projected $1 billion shortfall for the state budget for FY08, making an early pitch for an affordable, accessible, fully staffed and democratic system of public higher education will be ESSENTIAL. Please join us!