MCLA Students Elected to Lead Commonwealth Honors Program

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Two Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students who participate in the campus's honors program recently were elected to serve as the president and the vice president of the Statewide Commonwealth Honors Program's governing committee.

Junior Jackie Ordway, an English/communications major from Lunenburg, is the committee's president. In addition, junior Nicole Hastry of North Attleboro, who majors in business administration, was selected as the group's vice president.

"Being elected president of the Commonwealth Honors Program Student Council is a huge honor," Ordway said. "I am so grateful for this opportunity to work with honors students from across the state to foster a sense of community among the 23 honors programs in Massachusetts."

As vice president, Hastry will assist Ordway to facilitate events, and will keep the program's social media up to date.

The Statewide Commonwealth Honors Program provides a way for honors students across the state to network with one another as they participate in a variety of experiences, such as day trips to places like the Museum of Science in Boston.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.