NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The announcement of the new arts learning center was the big news out of the recent opening semester breakfast at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. 

 

But it wasn't the only good news. 

 

College officials reported on funding campaigns, program advancements, capital improvements, student performance, and the commitment to inclusion and diversity.

 

"Trustees met last week and had a chance to look at a strategic plan, and some of the works that many people are working on and it reminded us about how excited they are being part of this institution, and how proud we are of the community that makes up this institution," said Trustee Mohan Boodram in the Centennial Room in the Amsler Campus Center. 

 

President James Birge said the strategic plan, once approved by the trustees, outlines the three major goals to refine and promote MCLA's "liberal arts mission and vision in response to the evolving role of higher education, and align key institutional decisions and resources accordingly."

 

The plan will also seek to build responsive and sustainable institutional structures and practices that will increase access and belonging, and strengthen and develop innovative initiatives. There will be a particular focus on nontraditional students and on fostering a campus culture that responds to student voices. 

 

"Not only will MCLA maintain its commitment to diversity equity and inclusion, but we will expand these efforts on campus," the president said, adding a combination of institutional and $684,000 in state SUCCESS, or Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services funds extended to state universities, will be used this spring to support students, faculty and staff of color.

 

"I also want to commend Arlene Theodore for her work to establish the Multicultural Education Resource Center. MERC, located in the Amser Campus Center," said Birge. "The grand opening this past fall was well attended, and it offers this dedicated space for students to gather, to learn and to be seen."

 

Another of those supports is the Essential Needs Center, which Shela Levante, senior director of development, pointed to as one of the beneficiaries of the college's Pathways Campaign. 

 

The fund-raising campaign will have its public launch in April, she said, but has been in its "not so silent" phase since 2021.

 

"We're really pleased that while this campaign kicked off on July 1 of 2021, we continue to exceed benchmarks," Levante said. "In October, because of the early success of the campaign, we went ahead and raised that goal from $25 million to $30 million. Today, right now, we stand at a little over $18.4 million. 

 

"So really, $18.4 million is really a true testament to everyone here in the room, our students, our staff, our faculty for deep care and appreciation for MCLA, the MCLA community."

 

Spencer Moser, director of the MCLA Volunteer Center, said the Essential Needs Center received $25,000 from the campaign. 

 

"An endowment was established to permanently support food security on campus, and over $44,000 has been raised since the campaign to support overall basic needs of our students," he said. "Thank you to those of you who have already contributed and continue and will continue to support the campaign."

 

The investment in student supports is paying off in improved student performance. Twenty-five to 40 students are academically suspended after the incoming semester; this fall it was eight. Birge credit the personal and academic coaching, guidance and orientation programs aiding in student transition.

 

He also highlighted the college's improved retention rate, up 7 percent to 76 percent, the highest rate in a dozen years, while acknowledging the difficulty in boosting enrollment. 

 

"Our entering class in the fall was lower than projected, and attributable to the combined effect of demographic decline and the commonwealth decision to provide universal free community college," Birge said. He expected the numbers to improve as the community college students pursed four-year degress. 

 

"Over the last few months, the enrollment team has been working on a new approach to widen the top the admissions funnel for coming years, with emphasis on creating a stronger digital foundation for MCLA with an upgraded website that will benefit better represent the college."

 

Moving more strongly into the digital marketing will offer growth opportunities, and while not a quick fix, he said, "will build a stronger foundation for future increasing enrollments."

 

The campus has also seen infrastructure upgrades of $33 million over the last four years that were funded through the state's Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance with an MCLA match of only $1.8 million.

 

This included the major steam and water line replacement that took three years and $22.5 million; replacement of the roofs on the Church Street Center, Mark Hopkins, Freel Library and the campus center; new windows in the library and the renovation of the Centennial Room. 

 

The projects expected to be completed this spring is the upgrade of the campus center's second floor HVAC system and electrical system, and emergency generators in the townhouses. Coming up will be the HVAC on the campus center's third floor and the replacement of the Venable Hall roof.