More than a dozen lawmakers from across the commonwealth spent a day learning about Southeastern Massachusetts and the concerns of its residents.
Such “Commonwealth Conversations,” organized by the senate leadership, have been held across the state over the past month. The bipartisan group hopes the listening tour promotes civic engagement while allowing senators to hear firsthand about issues affecting different parts of the state.
Senate President Stan Rosenberg of Amherst, and Sen. Marc Pacheco of Taunton, led the forum, greeting a near-capacity Rondileau Campus Center ballroom. Each resident seeking to address the panel was given two minutes to present his or her concerns to the lawmakers. Among the many topics and concerns brought forth were the proposed South Coast Rail, charter schools and regulations concerning home construction.
The forum capped a long day for the senators. They began with breakfast at BSU, before boarding buses and touring area cities, New Bedford, Fall River, Attleboro and Taunton.
They returned to Bridgewater for dinner and a presentation by university President Dana Mohler-Faria. After praising the efforts, on many fronts, of the state colleges and universities, the president said, “We need to do a better job. We need to be more focused regionally.”
Dr. Mohler-Faria cited both social and economic areas where institutions of higher-education could play an increased role, adding it won’t happen without planning.
“What are the resources needed and where do they need to be targeted?” the president said. “We need to have that dialogue.”
During his talk, the president told the senators about BSU’s record of recent successes, including increased retention and graduation rates (particularly among students of color). However, his overall message concerned the potential embodied in the collaboration between state government and public colleges and universities.(Story by John Winters, photo by Nicholas Allende, University News)