Alumni Newsletter November 2025

By Dean Allison Vorderstrasse

Dear EMCON and Community Members,

I write to you to share updates in two key areas: the Olympia Drive Fire and Department of Education decision to remove nursing from their classification of professional degrees.

OIympia Drive Fire:

As you may know, there was a devastating fire that took place over the weekend of November 7-9 at apartments on Olympia Drive. Two hundred and thirty UMass students were displaced and many lost all of their possessions. No nursing students were directly affected. We are all deeply thankful that there were no injuries. The university and local community quickly sprung into action:

• Each student was immediately contacted by the Dean of Students Office to arrange housing and other essential needs through the university's Emergency Resource Center.
• All affected students have received meal swipes through the end of the semester at the UMass dining halls.
• Over $300,000 has been donated to the Student Care and Emergency Response Fund, which has been equally distributed to affected students.
• New2U Thrift Store and the Student Care Supply Closet have been distributing clothing and personal items at no cost, and students have been receiving school supplies including laptops.

There aren't words that can speak to the upheaval these students are going through. They are incredibly resilient, and I am grateful to the nursing and campus community for rallying around these UMass students. If anyone would like to contribute to getting these students the needed resources to help them rebuild their lives, you may do so here or at the Supply Closet wishlist link above.

Department of Education Decision:

This week has been immensely challenging for the nursing profession, with the news that the Department of Education has declared that nursing is no longer to be classified as a professional degree, as of July 1, 2026.

As our nurses have done since our College's inception, we advocate for what is important. Already this semester, students and faculty went to the Massachusetts State House in partnership with American Nurses Association Massachusetts and Dr. Chris Schrauf '68, '75MS to advocate for passage of vital healthcare bills on September 30th. Earlier this month, healthcare, legislative, and state leaders throughout the commonwealth came to campus on November 12th at the 3rd Annual Healthcare Summit to discuss what changes and collaborations are needed to advance nursing and healthcare in the state. And we are working across the campus with university relations and other impacted colleges and departments.

As we work through this challenge to our profession, I want to clearly assure you that:

• We are committed as a college to continuing to provide multiple areas of focus for nurses to pursue excellent graduate education programs to further their career in the profession and provide varying areas of expertise and care to our communities.
• We support ongoing advocacy with our nursing community and national organizations to voice our collective support of the profession we are so proud of and which is instrumental across the country in caring for all.
• We will keep you informed as to opportunities for public and professional groups to comment on the proposed changes in the Department of Education designations of professional degrees. 

I will be sure to write to you again with further updates. In the meantime, I welcome you to write to nursingdean [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: Olympia%20Drive%20Fire%20and%20Dept%20of%20Ed%20Reclassification) (nursingdean[at]umass[dot]edu) with your comments, and what you are doing at your place of work or community to respond.

In conclusion:

Challenging times require decisive action, bringing our community together, reaching out to allies, and an unwavering commitment to our students, the nursing profession, and our duty to provide care. We take our College's mission seriously of advancing nursing education, practice, and research to promote health and health equity. This is the time to be resolute in spirit and conviction, and we are poised and ready to take action, together in solidarity.

Sincerely,

Allison Vorderstrasse
Professor and Dean
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing