MCLA to Host Annual Undergraduate Research Conference

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NORTH ADAMS, MASS. — On Thursday, April 20, 2023, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will hold the 21st annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) including 122 student participants and keynote speaker Jenna McElroy '16.  
 
Conference registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Bowman Hall lobby followed by welcome remarks from Dr. Anna Jaysane-Darr, Chair of Undergraduate Research, and Dr. Caroyln Dehner, Dean of Academic Affairs. Paper presentations will take place in Bowman 201, 203, and 205 followed by poster sessions in Venable Gym from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. Lunch will take place in the Campus Center Gym at noon led by President James Birge who will announce the Feigenbaum Scholars recipients, followed by the keynote address.  
 
Paper presentations continue throughout the day in Bowman Hall with a mini philosophy conference at 4 p.m. in Murdock 208. A senior art exhibit, "Liminal Spaces: The Overlooked & The Otherworldly," will close the day at MCLA's Gallery 51.  
 
The URC highlights MCLA's commitment to nurturing a dynamic culture of research where students will have the opportunity to showcase the hard work they've done on various academic projects throughout the year.  
 
Students will present 15-minute talks, posters, and artistic work; the URC will also include special sessions and events focused on specific themes and performances. Members of the media are welcome to cover this MCLA community event, sit in on virtual talks, and interview students and faculty members. 

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BRTA Plans Technology Upgrades as Fare-Free Service Continues

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As Berkshire Regional Transit Authority riders take advantage of fare-free service through June 30, 2027, the agency is also looking to modernize its services and make public transportation more accessible.
 
Prior to BRTA going fare-free, riders could pay with cash or electronically using a CharlieCard. However, the state is no longer supporting Charlie Cards, according to BRTA administrator Kathleen Lambert, who said the state had been buying back CharlieCards over the last three months.
 
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is taking BRTA's CharlieCard equipment because it is still using the cards and also will be buying BRTA's old Scheidt & Bachmann fare boxes, Lambert said. 
 
But when returns to collecting fares, Lambert said, BRTA would like the system to be as cashless as possible.
 
She noted that based on a Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa) fare analysis, the cost of collecting and processing cash fares significantly reduced the revenue. Only about 25 cents of every $1.50 collected in cash fares ultimately went back to the authority after accounting for administrative costs, she said, including staff time spent counting cash, armored-car services, banking fees and other costs associated with processing fares.
 
Right now, she said, fare free is a "much better bargain" for the agency because it is getting $1.7 million directly from the state through the Fair Share revenue, she said. 
 
But fare-free will not last forever, hence the need for technology upgrades.
 
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