University’s Strategic Investments Are Benefitting Doctoral Education

BY JACK DUNN ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

Boston College has invested more than $3.5 million in academic strategic funds during the past five years to elevate doctoral student stipends, reflecting a commitment to graduate education and student formation outlined in the University’s 10year Strategic Plan, “Ever to Excel.”

As a result, all funded doctoral students will receive an academic-year stipend of at least $30,000 in 2023-2024—an important milestone in the University’s investment in graduate education.

In addition, the BC student health plan now provides benefits to more than 1,750 graduate students, and the 2022 transition to a new health insurance carrier resulted in added benefits, including a lower outof-pocket maximum and improved pediatric dental coverage. According to a recent assessment, there have been no coverage reductions or deductible increases since the health plan’s inception, and the platinum plan annual premium is significantly below that of Ivy League plus peers and the Massachusetts Health Connector prices for comparable coverage. Overall, the University contributed more than $2.4 million toward health insurance coverage for doctoral students during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley said these investments have paid dividends in helping the University to attract outstanding doctoral students, whose contributions are welcomed and appreciated in all of BC’s schools and colleges.

“The University is greatly enriched by

Continued on page 5

Once data have been collected showing that a material like plastic is causing great harm to human health and the Earth’s environment, it is harder for people to say there is no problem.