Student and faculty reactions at the UMass-Amherst campus have been less than supportive. Romney's plan would involve making the UMass campus into an independent state university, according to an article in The Daily Hampshire Gazette.
The five-campus University of Massachusetts system is governed by a 22-member board of trustees, led by President William M. Bulger. Each campus is led by a chancellor. Romney has suggested eliminating the office of UMass President. Bulger makes $309,000 a year and has a contract through 2007.
Romney said that by reorganizing the system, the state could save $200 million.
Shawn Feddeman, Romney's press secretary, said that, under the governor's plan, student tuition and fees would be increased by between five and 15 percent for in-state residents.
The actual specifics of Romney's plan have not been released to faculty or administrators at UMass-Amherst.
"Nobody has seen the actual plan, so the administration cannot respond without knowing what it is all going to mean," said Brian O'Connor, a professor of biology and faculty representative to the board of trustees at UMass-Amherst. O'Connor agrees with Romney that higher education in the state needs some reform, but he worries that the governor's proposals are too radical and questions their motives.
"It seems like every time there is a new governor there is a new reorganization plan," said O'Connor. "It seems that the governor has turned this into a political vendetta against [President Bulger]t and the state Republican party," he added.
"Every 10 years, whether we need to or not, we are going to reorganize. Whatever progress has been accomplished in the 10 years will get undone," State Senator Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst, told The Gazette.
There has been a particularly strong reaction to the idea of separating UMass-Amherst from the other campuses in the UMass system. "I know the faculty will fight like hell not to let it happen. It is a tremendous resource and benefit for all the schools," said O'Connor. "If we fight for anything we will fight for that."
However, Ernie May, secretary of the faculty senate at the Amherst campus noted that the plan may be a better alternative to deep state cuts. "If the cut of state support to public higher ed is going to be as high as has been rumored-say 20 percent-then this proposal, or something like it, may be the best hope for maintaining a first-rate public flagship campus in Massachusetts," said May.