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The consultant would work with MCLA to develop an interactive training module for the Department of Public Safety with the goal of increasing cultural competency and engagement of its officers and staff with the MCLA community.

MCLA Receives Grant To Improve Racial Equity On Campus

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MCLA has received a $28,720 Higher Education Innovation Fund Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) to help the college work toward improving racial equity.
 
The Higher Education Innovation grant will allow the MCLA Department of Public Safety to work with a consulting firm specializing in improving police departments' relationships with their communities. The consultant would work with MCLA to develop an interactive training module for the Department of Public Safety with the goal of increasing cultural competency and engagement of its officers and staff with the MCLA community. 
 
"I'm deeply appreciative to see our Department of Public Safety receive this grant funding," said MCLA President James F. Birge. "Our dedicated public safety officers play an important role in our community. MCLA's student population is diverse, and their experiences with police vary greatly. This grant will help our Department of Public Safety continue to connect with our community and help them do the important work of ensuring our campus is a safe, comfortable place for everyone who studies, works, and visits here." 
 
According to a press release, with the awarding of FY21 Higher Education Innovation Fund grants, institutions are advancing equity goals, using new approaches that promote antiracism and affirm the cultural wealth and strengths of racially minoritized student populations. 
 
Most of the proposals funded by DHE seek to provide faculty and staff equity training for transforming campus pedagogy, syllabi, curriculum and campus life, with the goal of making the institution a truly nurturing environment for Students of Color. 
 
"Since the inception of the Higher Education Innovation Fund, our goal has been to seed and support new ideas and proven practices across our campuses, with the overarching goal to increase success outcomes for minoritized students," said Patricia A. Marshall, deputy commissioner for Academic Affairs and Student Success. "We have begun to identify the need for significant changes in the way we operate and educate, focusing on ensuring that we're ready to meet the needs of racially minoritized students at our institutions. The Innovation grants will provide campuses with the resources to amplify this important work." 
 
DHE recently announced a slate of $1.7 million in grants for the state's public colleges. 

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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