BCC to Sign Articulation Agreement with Western New England University

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces it intends to sign an articulation agreement with Western New England University (WNE) in Springfield, Massachusetts, allowing BCC students to transfer seamlessly to WNE.
 
The official signing ceremony will be held at BCC's Berkshire Science Commons on Monday, May 8 at 12 pm. 
 
Attending the ceremony from WNE will be Provost Maria Toyoda, Associate Provost Lisa Celovsky, Director of Transfer Admissions Mike Russell and Assistant Vice President for Public Relations Margaret Boyle. Attending from BCC will be Dean of STEM Allied Health & Business Frank Schickor, Vice President of Academic Affairs Laurie Gordy, Coordinator of Transfer Affairs/Articulation Geoffrey Tabor and Director of Academic Operations Erin Lynn.
 
According to a press release, the Joint Admissions Program, which is consistent with the individual missions, policies and regulations of each institution, seeks to:
  • Strengthen the academic and student support partnerships between BCC and WNE;
  • Facilitate student access to baccalaureate and graduate education; and
  • Provide barrier-free movement for students enrolled in an associate degree program at BCC to the baccalaureate graduate degrees at WNE.
"The articulation agreement with Western New England is particularly exciting for BCC because of the excellent quality of education at WNE, and because of the geographical proximity of the two schools," said BCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Laurie Gordy. "We're pleased that our BCC graduates will have another option to continue their education in the Commonwealth, and we're proud to be able to make the transition easy and accessible for our students."
 
Students will be informed about the opportunity to participate in the Joint Admissions Program at the time they are applying to BCC. In order to satisfy the conditions of admissions into WNE, participating students must earn a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average (based on a 4.00 scale), earn at least a grade of a C- or better in their major coursework and earn their associate degree. Students seeking joint admissions into specialized programs such as business, engineering, computer science, chemistry or biology must satisfy all program requirements and earn the minimum cumulative grade point average established for those programs.
 
Students who satisfy the requirements of the Joint Admissions Program are eligible for the following benefits:
  • Guaranteed acceptance to WNE, provided they complete an approved associate degree program at BCC and meet the requirements of the Joint Admissions Program and major-specific requirements;
  • Guarantee of junior status at WNE upon matriculation with an associate degree; and
  • Guarantee of 60 transfer credits, with some stipulations.
For more details about the program, contact Geoffrey Tabor at gtabor@berkshirecc.edu.

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New Trial Denied for Caius Veiovis

Staff Reports

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Caius Veiovis' request for a new trial was denied.

Veiovis, now 46, was one of three men convicted in the murder of David Glasser, Edward Frampton, and Robert Chadwell in 2011.  He is also known as Roy Gutfinski. 

In 2014, he was sentenced to three consecutive life terms for the alleged kidnapping, killing, and dismembering of the Pittsfield men. They were last seen at a city apartment shared by Glasser and Frampton on Aug. 28, 2011; their dismembered bodies were found in Becket that September.

According to AP News, Veiovis told the jury, "I'll see you in hell" after the conviction. 

On Tuesday, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office reported that following a final hearing held on June 26, 2026, Justice Michael D. Ricciuti issued an order on Oct. 23, 2026, denying Veiovis's motion for post-conviction relief. 

The motion had requested a new trial based chiefly on claims of ineffective assistance by his trial attorney and newly discovered evidence.

Post-conviction relief is a legal process that allows a convicted person to challenge a criminal conviction or sentence in the trial court after direct appeals have ended or were not filed.

"District Attorney Capeless' unwavering commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring it is maintained in this case has been truly remarkable," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said. 

"His efforts in handling this difficult and complex criminal matter have helped make Berkshire County a safer place."

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