CAPAC Members Commemorate AANHPI Mental Health Day

 CAPAC Members Commemorate AANHPI Mental Health Day

Washington, D.C. — Today, May 10, marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day,  which falls during both Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. AANHPI Mental Health Day promotes awareness of mental health issues that are unique to the AANHPI community. To recognize the day, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:

 

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27):

 

“Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day serves as an important reminder that our work in destigmatizing and improving access to mental health care is just beginning. The AANHPI community is among the fastest growing and most diverse racial groups in the United States and yet only 23.3% of AANHPI adults with a mental illness were able to receive treatment in 2019. More alarmingly, suicide is the leading cause of death for Asian or Pacific Islander youth ages 15-24. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am committed to addressing the stigma, barriers, and disparities that keep the AANHPI community from accessing quality and affordable behavioral health care, such as the need for translation services, or lack of access to health insurance, which is why I have introduced a Resolution with Reps. Kahele, Matsui, and Strickland to recognize May 10, 2022 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day. So, let today be a call for our community and allies to advocate for policies that increase the accessibility of mental health care services for AANHPI communities across the nation.”

 

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC First Vice-Chair:

 

"On Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day, we recognize the health disparities, limited access to treatment, and the cultural stigmas surrounding mental health within the AANHPI community. The coronavirus pandemic resulted in isolation, economic insecurity, and deaths of loved ones that have severely impacted our community’s mental health. We must prioritize breaking down the stigmas around mental health care, as well as strengthen our healthcare infrastructure to provide care that is culturally appropriate and linguistically accessible. That is why I introduced a bill to ensure our community health centers have the resources necessary to hire mental health professionals who can provide in-language services and culturally competent care to our community members. Rest assured, I will continue to fight in Congress for everyone in the AANHPI community to have access to mental health services." 

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33), CAPAC Whip:

“Today, on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day, we recommit to breaking down the barriers to mental health care for the AANHPI community. Throughout the COVID pandemic, we’ve seen a staggering increase in hate and violence toward the AAPI community. According to Stop AAPI Hate, anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 339% in 2021. AAPI adults are the racial group least likely to seek mental health services – a direct consequence of structural barriers such as language barriers and the lack of awareness of available resources. On AANHPI Mental Health Day, we recommit to eliminating these barriers and making mental health care more accessible for everyone in the AANHPI community.”

 

Senator Mazie Hirono (HI):

 

“Everyone deserves high-quality, affordable mental health care. However, seeking, affording, or accessing this critical care is incredibly difficult, especially for members of the AANHPI community. In 2019, AANHPI communities had the lowest rate of mental health treatment of any racial or ethnic populations, with nearly 77 percent of AANHPIs with mental illness not receiving treatment. On AANHPI Mental Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to invest in mental health resources, combat the stigma surrounding mental health, and break down barriers that prevent too many AANHPIs from receiving the care they need and deserve.”

 

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07):

 

“As we mark AANHPI Mental Health Day today, let us remember that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have traditionally faced higher stigma around mental health and substance issues. And following a grueling pandemic in which we tragically saw an unforgivable rise in hate crimes targeting our Asian American community, it is important now more than ever that we destigmatize mental health care. Nobody should suffer in silence. Mental health care is health care, and our communities should feel empowered to get and receive the care they deserve.”

 

Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17):

 

“For too long, the AANHPI community has been denied the health care they need because of a lack of insurance coverage, language barriers, stigma, and other disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of the persistent inequalities in our healthcare system, including for mental health services. On AANHPI Mental Health Day, I stand with my CAPAC colleagues in fighting to expand high-quality, affordable mental health care for AANHPI communities across the country.”

 

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):

 

“AANHPI Mental ​Health Day is an opportunity to recommit to the need to implement policies that address the specific needs of AANHPI people and invest in health care, including mental health services. We know that systemic racism is rooted in the mental health challenges our communities face and COVID-19 has only exacerbated the life-threatening barriers to care that stigma and discrimination have caused. We must ensure our policy priorities reflect compassion, cultural competence, and dismantle bigotry and hatred, especially to deliver quality and equitable mental health services for vulnerable communities.”

 

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10):

 

“On AANHPI Mental Health Day we recognize the unique challenges, trauma, and identity struggles that members of this community face. While 15 percent of the AANHPI community currently report facing mental health issues, this number is growing, especially among younger AANHPI. We must uplift the AANHPI community by investing in more mental health resources.”

 

Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04):

 

"On this Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day, I’m pleased to join my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to stand up for mental health. Amid the recent rise in hate crimes, we must work to dismantle the many barriers to care. I look forward to continuing my work with Nevada’s AAPI community to make compassionate, culturally competent mental health care available to all.”

 

Congressman David Trone (MD-06):

 

“As we recognize National Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Mental Health Day, we must redouble our efforts to stop the stigma surrounding mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the AANHPI community has lowest help-seeking rate of any racial or ethnic group. This should serve as a wake up call for folks in positions of leadership to take meaningful action, including Congress. Alongside my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I pledge to work with anyone and everyone willing to address this vital issue and help save lives. We can always do better.”

 

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09):

 

“As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, today we recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day to bring attention to the unique mental health challenges that the AANHPI community faces. The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a mental health crisis across the country and the AANHPI community has been disproportionately affected. To make matters worse, AANHPI community members often have a harder time receiving linguistically accessible and culturally aware health care. I’m grateful for community-based health organizations in Washington’s Ninth District and across the country that work to provide tailored health care services to individuals and families, regardless of circumstances. In Congress, we must do more to support these vital organizations to advance the health and well-being of all our community members. May today shine a light on the mental health barriers the AANHPI community faces and serve as a catalyst for action to tackle this crisis.”

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIPS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

 

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIPS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY Solarize Eastie will reduce costs for solar panel installation and the Community First Partnership will expand energy efficiency opportunities for environmental justice communities

BOSTON - Monday, May 9, 2022 - Today, Mayor Wu announced the launch of the Solarize Eastie pilot program to increase solar panel installation and onsite battery storage in East Boston. This partnership with GreenRoots, a local environmental organization, will bring the benefits of affordable renewable energy to residents in East Boston. This program uses a group buying model to reduce costs for residents by aggregating demand and securing a discounted price per watt. Alongside the launch of Solarize Eastie, Mayor Wu also announced that Boston has been selected for Mass Save’s Community First Partnership to provide cost-saving energy efficiency solutions to residents, small businesses, houses of worship, and local nonprofits primarily located in East Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan. The two programs are supplemented by American Rescue Plan Act funds.  “These partnerships embody our commitment to investing in environmental justice and energy democracy,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am grateful to GreenRoots and Mass Save for leadership for a Boston Green New Deal.” Solarize Eastie works to bring East Boston residents the opportunity to generate clean, renewable energy for their homes, reduce energy costs, and increase energy resilience. This program offers a variety of payment support, including a 15% discount below the average cost of solar PV installation, up-front subsidies for income-eligible building owners, and no-cost options. Throughout the year, this partnership will work to increase access to affordable and renewable energy for East Boston residents, helping them reduce their energy cost burden. To ensure that the program addresses the needs of the East Boston community, the City has partnered with GreenRoots, a community-based organization dedicated to improving and enhancing the urban environment and public health in East Boston, Chelsea, and surrounding communities.  “Environmental justice means we need to ask hard questions about who is asked to carry the burden and who receives the benefits,” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “These kinds of partnerships allow us to bring energy benefits to environmental justice communities while helping us achieve our collective goal of decarbonization.” The goal of Solarize Eastie is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing solar and battery storage adoption in East Boston and to bring the benefits to low- and moderate-income residents. More than half of East Boston's 45,000 residents are Latinx immigrants, and the neighborhood median income is $52,935. The City has selected ACE Solar and Resonant Energy to lead the installation process for Solarize Eastie. ACE Solar has been ranked as the top Residential Solar Contractor in Massachusetts for the fifth year in a row, and is among the top solar contractors in the country. Resonant Energy, based in Dorchester, specializes in bringing accessible solar options to  communities with limited resources, affordable housing units, and nonprofit organizations throughout Massachusetts. ACE and Resonant Energy will offer their Solar Access Program, which allows low- and moderate-income residents to install solar without any FICO score requirement or any upfront or ongoing payment obligation.  "Solarize Eastie gives East Boston residents accessibility to make real choices in the way they power their homes and community," said John Walkey, Director of Waterfront and Climate Initiatives, GreenRoots. "GreenRoots is thrilled to partner with the City of Boston and ACE Solar to enhance energy justice in East Boston. For too long, immigrants and people of color have been left out of the solar economy and they must be centered in our energy democracy efforts." “ACE Solar is honored to be a part of Solarize Eastie,” said Colby Lawless, ACE Solar. “We are eager to help East Boston adopt clean energy and, through the program and partnerships, provide accessible ways to do so. Clean, affordable energy should be available to everyone and thanks to Solarize Eastie this is more of a much needed reality.” "The Solar Access Program is an important program for limited resource communities," says Kelsie Daniels-Jackson, Resonant Energy. "It allows any homeowner, regardless of income or credit history, to install solar and see immediate on-bill savings without the burden of an additional bill from a typical third party financier." The City of Boston has also been selected for the Mass Save Community First Partnership to bring energy cost savings to residents and small businesses in East Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan. All four neighborhoods are considered environmental justice communities, historically experiencing disproportionately low Mass Save participation rates. With intentional and equitable outreach to these communities in the first year of the program —  in particular for renters — the Community First Partnership will share energy efficiency opportunities with residents to provide emissions reductions, cost savings, and increased comfort. Specifically, participants will receive a no-cost energy assessment to identify energy-saving opportunities, such as insulation and heating and cooling equipment upgrades. Through this partnership, the Mass Save Sponsors will offer up to 100% off the cost of approved upgrades. Participants can also receive a variety of no-cost energy-saving products such as water-saving devices and programmable thermostats.   These two programs will simultaneously work to reduce energy use and transition residents from utilizing fossil fuels to renewable energy, while delivering immediate benefits to residents in energy-burdened neighborhoods. These partnerships expand upon the Wu administration’s commitment to energy democracy and becoming a Green New Deal city. Last month, Mayor Wu included transformative energy efficiency investments in her first proposed budget, such as $20 million for a nation-leading pilot for energy retrofits in triple deckers and other multi-family homes while maintaining affordability, as well as a $33 million investment of ARPA funding for upgrades to public housing units to improve air quality, energy efficiency and resident comfort at Boston Housing Authority developments Franklin Field, Ruth Barkley, Alice Taylor, Roslyn, and Rockland.

MAYOR WU AND BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM

MAYOR WU AND BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM To ensure that all BPS students have access to early college opportunities, the City is increasing school participation, seeking competitive state grant

BOSTON - Tuesday, May 10, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Public Schools (BPS), in partnership with higher education institutions and employers across Boston, announced today the addition of six new Early College and Innovation Pathway programs  for the 2022-2023 school year. These programs will provide new opportunities for BPS students to gain career-oriented college credits and work experience while still in high school in fields ranging from life sciences and health care, to computer science and finance. The City also announced that BPS is seeking a competitive grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that would allow Boston to develop a consortium model to expand Early College and Innovation Pathway opportunities to thousands of students across the district. The application is designed to consider how more BPS schools and higher education institutions can partner to offer early college programs to students without seeking individual state designations.  “Expanding access to early college and career will help connect Boston’s young people with the limitless opportunities of our most innovative sectors, from life sciences to healthcare and tech,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Every BPS student should experience college and career opportunities while they are still in high school—earning credits and gaining valuable professional experience that will help ease the transition after graduation. I thank the colleges and companies that are already working with BPS and call on the broader higher education and business community to join us.”  The additional programs that will be offered next school year are: Early College Pathways Computer Science and Engineering programs at New Mission High School Entrepreneurship program at Fenway High School Innovation Pathways Health Sciences pathway at Brighton High School Business-Finance pathway at Excel High School Biotechnology pathway at Jeremiah E. Burke High School Early College provides high school students with the opportunity to experience and complete 12 college credits while simultaneously gaining exposure to a variety of college majors and career opportunities. Innovation Pathways give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, information technology, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. Innovation Pathways provide students technical coursework, credentialing, and work-based learning experiences, including a 100-hour-internship or several capstone projects in a specific, high-demand industry in Boston. Students take two technical courses in their high school and two advanced courses, including the option of dual enrollment in college courses.  BPS and the City of Boston intend that all programs are closely tied to opportunities in the city’s growth sectors and are tied to internships and other work opportunities with Boston employers. Studies have consistently shown that Early College programs reduce the time and expense of earning a college credential while increasing the likelihood of completion. Early College is especially beneficial for students who may be first-generation college attendees, or students who come from other marginalized communities  and may not see themselves as potential college students.  "By participating in early college, I got a head start on learning the necessary skills for today’s workforce,” said Alessia Martínez, a junior at Dearborn STEM Academy and in the Health Sciences Pathway. “The new challenges and opportunities that I was given opened my eyes to my potential and it allowed me to grow into a responsible and motivated student. If students took at least one college class I think they would realize that they are more than capable of taking rigorous college courses that set them up for future success." “The early exposure to college is helpful in determining what you want to do in your future job,” said Juan Geronimo Ortiz, a junior at Dearborn STEM Academy in the Computer Science Pathway. “Students are put in a new environment completely different from the world they know as high schoolers. The exposure allows students to reach their full potential once they get to college while becoming comfortable within their own ability to achieve academic excellence. The lessons and takeaways you get from dual enrollment courses go beyond school, they’ll stick with you for life.” “Early College and Innovation Pathways are a vital part of our work in BPS to ensure our students have access to high impact, high quality programs that prepare them for success after they graduate from high school,” said Brenda Cassellius, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools. “Building a variety of programs across the district benefits not just our students — it benefits our neighborhoods, employers and regional economy, too.” "As public servants, our success is measured by the quality of the world we leave for the next generation. We have an obligation to ensure that our young people are prepared to emerge into the professional world,” said City Councilor Julia Mejia. “That is why our office has been vocal about uplifting professional development, supporting vocational education, and intentional around creating more STEM opportunities for Black and Brown students in Boston. We are thrilled to see that urgency around professional development reflected in the expansion of early college programs." “At State Street, we want to hire BPS grads and broaden opportunities for the residents of our home city. We see career-aligned Early College as one core strategy to help Boston students gain tangible experience and skills that will help them become our next employees,” said Ron O’Hanley, Chairman and CEO of State Street, which has committed to 40 BPS student internships through the Boston Private Industry Council this summer. “We applaud Mayor Wu and BPS for committing to this expansion.”  “Wentworth is proud to be the only private university working with BPS to provide crucial opportunities for college and career readiness and enrichment for Boston Public School students,” said Mark A. Thompson, President of Wentworth Institute of Technology. “We’re looking forward to expanding our collaboration with Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston Public Schools, and industry partners to give BPS students the opportunity to participate in various classes at the institution and build their experience and comfort with a variety of technical and non-technical fields of study.” Mayor Wu and Boston Public Schools leadership are committed to expanding access to Early College at an accelerated rate. The City has been working in close collaboration with Boston’s higher education institutions, major employers, and youth-serving community organizations to ensure every student has the chance to access this transformative opportunity. Early College and Innovation Pathways have demonstrated success in Boston Public Schools including: Charlestown High School, which has Early College programs in Business, Health Sciences & Tech with Bunker Hill Community College; Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, which has a General Studies Early College program with Roxbury Community College & Bunker Hill Community College; Dearborn STEM Academy, which has Innovation Pathways in Engineering & Computer Science and Early College programs in Health & Life Sciences with Wentworth Institute of Technology; and Excel High School, which has an Innovation Pathways for information technology.  In addition to the program expansion, Boston Public Schools has applied for the Early College Incubator Planning Grant, a competitive grant run by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that would allow Boston to study the creation of a consortium model to expand Early College and Innovation Pathway opportunities to hundreds more high school students every year. The grant would allow BPS high schools to collectively partner with institutions of higher learning on Early College and Innovation Pathways programming.

NEW YORK-BASED RAIL SYSTEM COMPANY TO PAY MORE THAN $220,000 FOR OVERTIME AND PAYROLL VIOATIONS ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS

 NEW YORK-BASED RAIL SYSTEM COMPANY TO PAY MORE THAN $220,000 FOR OVERTIME AND PAYROLL VIOATIONS ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS  

Restitution Provided for 84 Employees Not Paid Properly for Railroad Improvement Projects 

BOSTON – A New York-based rail system construction and maintenance company and its owner will pay more than $220,000 in restitution and penalties to resolve allegations that it failed to pay the proper overtime rate to workers on public works projects in the Berkshires, on Cape Cod, and in Framingham, and failed to submit accurate certified payroll records, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. 

 

Railworks Track Systems, Inc. and its President Gene J. Cellini, were issued a citation for improperly paying its employees on five public works projects by not including all wages paid to the employees when calculating overtime, and for failing to properly account for different hourly rates of pay earned by employees during the same work week. Railworks Track Systems was also cited for failing to submit true and accurate certified payroll records to the awarding authority on a weekly basis. The five public works projects involved railroad improvement work performed in cities and towns including Hyannis, Falmouth, Framingham, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Sheffield, and Stockbridge.  

“Companies must pay their employees the wages they’ve earned and are legally entitled to,” said AG Healey. “We are pleased to have secured this relief for the more than 80 affected workers, and hope that this sends a message to employers that we hold them accountable if they do not properly compensate their workers.”  

 The AG’s Office began investigating Railworks Track Systems in 2020 after receiving a referral from the Foundation for Fair Contracting of Massachusetts, alleging that the company was improperly paying its employees. During the investigation, it was revealed that Railworks Track Systems did not include employee addresses on their certified payroll records submissions, and that the company claimed a type of fringe benefit that is not permitted under Massachusetts prevailing wage laws. The improperly claimed fringe amounts were paid to employees each week, but the amounts were not included in the calculation of overtime. 

Under the Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law, contractors and subcontractors engaged in public construction projects must pay their employees a special minimum wage. The required wage rate is based on the occupational classification for the type of work the employees perform. Employers may take deductions from employees’ prevailing wages to pay for contributions to certain bona fide benefit plans, including retirement plans such as 401(k) plans. Additionally, if an employee works in different occupational classifications or otherwise earns more than two rates of pay during the same workweek, the employer must account for the different hourly rates of pay when overtime is calculated. 

Any workers who believe their rights have been violated in the workplace are encouraged to file a complaint at www.mass.gov/ago/wagetheft.

For information about the state’s wage and hour laws, workers may call the Office’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465 or go to the Attorney General’s Workplace Rights website for materials in multiple languages.  

This case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Barbara DeSouza, and Inspector Joseph Drzyzga of the AG’s Fair Labor Division.  

4 北端餐館業主告吳弭市長 求償150萬元

             (Boston Orange 編譯)不滿波士頓市府徵收 7500元”戶外用餐計畫”牌照費，四家北端餐館5月9日向法院控告波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)，要求150萬元的罰金及損失賠償。

             根據麻州美國地方法院文件，這些餐館提告理由是該作法違憲。

             波士頓市的戶外用餐計畫已從5月1日啟動。

             此案原告包括在Richmond Street街上的Vinoteca di Monica餐廳東主Jorge Mendoza，在Salem街上的Terramia Ristorante和Antico Forno餐廳東主Carla Gomes，Prince 街上的Monica’s Trattoria餐廳東主Patrick Mendoza。

             他們認為，波士頓市政府只向北端餐館徵收7500元費用，桌子每佔用一個停車位，還得另繳每月458元的做法，形成了”不公平競爭”，讓北端餐館和波士頓市的其他餐館相比，處於不利地位。

             這一訴訟稱波士頓市府違反了憲法賦予餐館東主們的正當程序，平等保護及對待權，以及他們在商業條款下所享有的權利。

             波士頓市長辦公室拒絕就此訴訟發言。

             波士頓市政府3月份時宣佈，北端餐館需繳付7500元費用，才能從5月1日起讓顧客在戶外用餐。這戶外用餐日期比其他鄰里晚了一個月。市府人員表示，當地居民顧慮戶外用餐桌椅將使得原本就已狹窄、擠逼得北端街道更為擁擠。

             在北端餐館業主向市府抗議，稱該作法對他們不公平之後，波士頓市府略為修改了實施辦法。吳弭市長在3月29日宣佈，餐館可以分5個月來繳交這7500元。她還說根據餐館所在地點，戶外佔地面積大小，以及酒牌種類等，費用可能會減少。

             根據訴訟文件，Jorge Mendoza的餐館登記參加了分期付款計畫，佔用了3個停車位。Gomes付了7500元，佔用了2個停車位，Silvestri參加了分期付款計畫，佔用2個停車位，Patrick Mendoza也參加了分期付款計畫，佔用了一個停車位。

             他們在訴訟文件中說，為了和其他餐館競爭，儘管他們認為特別牌照費違憲，仍決定繳費。

疫情中各校學費漲價 波士頓大學漲幅新高 4.25%

           (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 新冠病毒疫情發生後，物價普遍上漲，在人們感覺最強烈的菜價之後，現在連學費都大漲。波士頓大學校長布朗 (Robert A. Brown) 說，今秋的學費要漲4.25%，漲到61,050元，漲幅為過去14年來最高記錄。

          Robert A. Brown是在5月6日發給學校教職員，張貼在學校網站上的信中，公佈了這漲價消息。

          在這封信中，他沒有直接寫明新年度的學費數額，但在波士頓大學網站上的其他網頁上有2022-2023學年學費將為61,050元的說明，如果再加上食宿費，在波士頓大學上學一年的費用就要高達79, 760元了。

          布朗校長在信中說，去年學費漲幅是3%，今年大學本科生的學費漲幅是4.24%，他很擔心學費漲價對教職員、學生及學校的影響。

                   他還補充指出，學費的漲價，並未追隨全國通貨膨脹幅度，也不能完全彌平學校營運開支增加的額度。BU打算新學年招收比3100人還多的新生。

                BU並不是新英格蘭地區唯一調漲學費的學校。早前麻州大學董事會也投票通過，2022-2023學年的州內本科生學費要調漲2.5%，以Amherst分校來說，每名學生得比以前多繳395元學費，比麻州大學的波士頓、達特茅斯，以及羅爾分校的漲幅略低些。

                麻州大學Amherst分校的2022-2023學年度本科生學費加食宿費，本州學生31,478元，外州學生52,697元，國際學生55,082元。

                哈佛大學在今年的4月初，也已經宣佈新年度學費漲價3%，2022-2023學年的學費為76,763元。這漲幅和去年一樣。

年收入75,000元以下家庭，上哈佛可以免費入學，不但連食宿費都不必繳，還可以得到2000元的搬家補貼。這免學費的年收入上限比去年提高了1萬元。

麻省理工學院也在今年3月底中宣佈，學費漲價3.75%，發給學生的財務援助也同時增加至總額1億6180萬元。去年約有37%的麻省理工學院學生在獲得財務援助後，可以免學費上學。在2022-2023的新學年中，家庭年收入在14萬元以下，或甚至25萬元以下，家中有2名以上小孩同時在讀大學的本科生，都有可能經由財務援助免費上MIT。

MIT的2022-2023學年學費為57,986元，若加上食宿費，總額將增至79850元。

東北大學的學校網站還未貼出2022-2023學年度的學費，2021-2022年度的學費為57,592元，若加上食宿費，總額為78,202元。

台裔第二代陳理珠訂七月接任麻州大學羅爾分校校長

 

麻州大學羅爾分校候任校長陳理珠 (Julie Chen) 。(周菊子攝，檔案照片)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 麻州大學羅爾 (Lowell) 分校今 (9) 日公佈，現年57歲的陳理珠 (Julie Chen) 將接替 Jacquie Moloney，成為該校下一任校長。她也將是這有18,000學生學校的首名亞裔、華裔校長。

              麻大羅爾分校創辦於1894年，現任校長 Jacquie Moloney 2015年受聘，2021年7月宣佈要退休。該校校長搜尋委員會從127名候選人中把人選縮小至3人後，3名最後一輪的候選人上週在麻大輪番拜會各部門。麻大發言人John Hoey後來證實，麻大總校長Marty Meehan心意已決，董事會訂週一投票。今日校董會和陳理珠晤談，敲板定槌，決定了下任校長就是她。

              其他2名進入最後一輪篩選的校長候選人為喬治亞大學法蘭克林文理學院院長Alan Dorsey，以及奧克拉荷馬州州立大學工程、建築及科技學院院長Paul Tikalsky。

              陳理珠有麻省理工學院的機械工程學士、碩士、博士等3個學位。她曾在波士頓大學當了6年助理教授，1997年加入麻州大學羅爾分校，擔任先進複合材料與紡織研究實驗室的共同主任，2009年擔任研究副教務長，目前職位是研究、創新及經濟發展副校長。她同時也是機械工程教授。

              陳理珠十分支持多元化、平等及包容計畫，擔任麻大羅爾分校的社會正義及包容協會共同領導。她也是國家科學基金會 (NSF)350萬元促進機構轉型補助款，用於幫助、支持麻大羅爾分校內科學、科技、工程及數學 (STEM)女性教授計畫的共同首席調查員。

              波士頓環球報指出，一旦陳理珠獲聘為校長，麻州大學系統5所分校中的3所最大的分校，校長都是有色人種，包括波士頓分校校長Marcelo Suárez-Orozco是拉丁裔，Amherst分校的校長Kumble “Swamy” Subbaswamy，以及羅爾分校校長陳理珠都是亞裔。

              Marty Meehan在他的任期中，指派了4名校長，其中有3名是女性有色人種。

              不過麻州高等教育界在性別平等上，仍然在處於進步中狀況。根據Eos 基金會的分析報告，在麻州公私立大專院校的83名校長之中，36%為女性，11%為有色婦女。在麻州的大專院校校長鍾，約23%為有色人種。

              父母來自台灣，在美國中部出生的陳理珠，在麻州大學羅爾分校一度是領先奈米科技研究的3名女性之一。他們3人被暱稱為” 奈米皇后” 。

              波士頓環球報稱，一旦陳理珠上任，她還將是麻大系統內第一位公開同性戀身分的校長。