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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Mass. community colleges — newly tuition-free — are bracing for a spike in new students
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
We’re following Gov. Maura Healey’s live Radio Boston interview from yesterday with another live interview today — this time with Mayor Michelle Wu. Get your questions in here before 11 a.m.
But before you get texting, let’s first go through the news:
A double-edged sword: The start of the first fall semester of free community college in Massachusetts is just three weeks away. The new initiative — implemented as part of this year’s state budget — covers tuition and fees for all Massachusetts residents, regardless of age. WBUR’s Amy Sokolow reports campuses are bracing for the new year with a mix of excitement and mild concern.
- The good news: Nate Mackinnon, the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges, says they’re bracing for another influx of new students. After Massachusetts eliminated tuition for those over the age of 25 last year, the state’s 15 community colleges saw enrollment spikes ranging from 12% to 56%. And the news that tuition will be free for everyone generated “huge interest,” Mackinnon said. “[It] opens doors to students who never thought college was possible in the first place,” he said.
- The flip side: Community college staff were already being stretched thin by last year’s enrollment spike. Mackinnon says the extra $117 million the system got in the budget is short of what they’ll need to support a growing student population. For example, the state’s largest school, Bunker Hill Community College, is reporting a 20% increase in students, according to Mackinnon. “It’s gonna be a big operational challenge for them to pivot,” he said.
- What’s next: Mackinnon hopes they get more money in future budgets to address staff shortages and turnover. “You can get a better starting salary as a high school teacher in most cities and towns in the commonwealth,” he said.
- Go deeper: WBUR’s Carrie Jung recently spoke with two local community college administrators on Radio Boston about how they’re preparing for the potential wave of new students.
At long last: Brockton Hospital is set to reopen today, 18 months after it was forced to close by a fire. WBUR’s Priyanka Dayal McCluskey reports the long-awaited reopening is being cheered by medical workers both inside — and outside — the hospital.
- Zoom in: The hospital now has a renovated emergency department and a new outpatient surgical facility.
- Zoom out: The reopening is also expected to ease stress on other medical facilities on the South Shore, which have struggled with higher-than-usual crowding since the 2023 fire. For example, South Shore Hospital in Weymouth had 564 patients on a recent afternoon — far more than its 374 licensed hospital beds.
The latest: Steward Health Care has reached a deal to sell its 5,000-doctor physicians network to Tennessee-based Rural Healthcare Group. The finalized agreement, which was announced last night, still needs approval from regulators and from a bankruptcy judge. Steward’s next bankruptcy hearing is scheduled for this Friday in Houston.
Movin’ on up: The Boston Red Sox’ top three prospects — shortstop Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Kyle Teel — are slated to make their Triple-A debuts in Worcester tonight, after getting called up from Portland together over the weekend.
- Psst: Here’s the WooSox schedule this month, if you want to catch the “Big Three” for cheap before they head to Fenway Park.
- Meanwhile: The Red Sox have suspended Jarren Duran for two games, after the All-Star outfielder responded to a heckling fan with a homophobic slur Sunday. His salary from the two games will be donated to the LGBTQ+ advocacy group PFLAG.
A win for Wu: The Boston Parks Commission unanimously approved yesterday Wu’s plan to demolish and rebuild Franklin Park’s White Stadium to serve as the home of a new women’s professional soccer team.
- Up next: Demolition is set to start this fall. In the meantime, opponents of the project are calling for state officials to step in.
P.S.— Looking for ways to enjoy these near-perfect summer nights? Boston’s free outdoor summer movie series kicked off last night — and continues tonight and tomorrow with kid-friendly screenings in Roslindale (“Elemental”) and West Roxbury (“Wonka!”). Shows begin at dusk and include free popcorn, while supplies last. Check out the full 10-night schedule to see when it’s coming to your neighborhood.
