The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919
THE HEIGHTS THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010
Vol. XCI, No. 23
www.bcheights.com
Amendment challenges state aid
Mass. senate to vote on legislation to end aid for students at private colleges BY LUCAS HARTY For The Heights
A proposed amendment to the Massachusetts House Budget, which would completely cut financial aid for students attending private colleges and universities in Massachusetts, will be voted on this week. Amendment 393, filed by Representative John Quinn (D-Dartmouth), is an attempt to shrink the House Budget deficit by cutting $20 million from need-based financial aid programs for colleges statewide. The proposal is aimed exclusively at private universities and would completely eliminate state financial aid for low and middle-income families with children attending any independent college or university in Massachusetts.
“While it is a significant step in trying to balance the budget, [the State] needs to realize that it would be counterproductive,” said Bernie Pekala, director of student financial strategies at Boston College. “Massachusetts is the hub of education. It’s the only state in the union that has more private colleges than public ones. It just doesn’t make sense to isolate the biggest sector of it.” Rich Doherty, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), said the main programs that would be affected by the cut in aid would be the Gilbert Matching Student Grant Program and the MASSGrant Program. “It will affect a lot of students. Both these programs provide support for around 22,000 students in Massachu-
setts,” Doherty said. “The proposal would reduce the line item for need-based financial aid by 23 percent. Just about $20 million.” This proposed cut, which only affects students attending independent colleges in Massachusetts, will go to a vote within the week and will likely have an impact on the hundreds of BC students who receive need-based aid, also putting pressure on private school students who rely on statefinanced support. While the amendment would prevent all BC students from receiving state financial aid, Pekala said that the administration is committed to providing funds that meet the student’s full demonstrated need. “BC will do what we can to make up
MICHAEL SALDARRIAGA / HEIGHTS GRAPHIC
Payments Boston area universities would make if taxable, compared to PILOT payments.
University makes Micaela and Pat sworn in payments to city at formal inauguration See Budget Cuts, A4
University officials stand by BC’s commitment to service, decision to forgo more PILOT payments BY PATRICK GALLAGHER Assoc. News Editor
BC, as a non-profit university, has been criticized for making significantly fewer voluntary payments in lieu of taxes to the City of Boston than institutions such as Harvard University and Boston University. But the University defended its commitment and contributions to the community as having a far greater impact than so-called PILOT payments. The concept of non-profit institutions making payments in lieu of taxes, known as PILOT payments, to the City of Boston came to a head in January 2009, when Mayor Thomas Menino formed a task force to address disparities in the contributions made by various non-profit organizations located within the city, according to a press release.
KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Micaela Mabida, above, was sworn in as president of the UGBC while Pat Raab, below, was sworn in as vice president at a ceremony last night. BY MICHAEL CAPRIO News Editor
Senators, Cabinet members, and offer leaders from the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) gathered last night to honor the inauguration of Micaela Mabida, CSOM ’11, and Patrick Raab, A&S ’11, as UGBC president and
INSIDE SPORTS
The baseball team won its ninth straight Tuesday, A10
THE SCENE
The Scene makes the case to stay in Boston this summer, B1
MARKETPLACE
vice president, respectively. Michael Boyarsky, chief justice of the UGBC and A&S ’12, presided over the procedures, beginning the ceremony by swearing in the UGBC judicial members for the 2010-2011 academic year. Harvey Simmons, president of the UGBC Senate and A&S ’11, then swore in Michael Joyce as the UGBC Senate vice president before turning toward the Senate as a whole. “This is a good looking group of people over here,” Simmons said, grinning as he swore in the members of the Senate. During her inaugural address, Mabida said that she was grateful for her friendships and time with the UGBC. “I stand here tonight extremely humbled and extremely grateful,” she said to the group of about 200 students. Turning to Raab, she said, “Ya, buddy!” “We’ve shared some incredible experiences,” she said. She wasn’t always as excited about working for the UGBC, though, she said.
Court orders that U. Wyoming host Ayers BY MICHAEL CAPRIO News Editor
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the University of Wyoming must allow William Ayers, a former leader of the radical Weather Underground group, to speak at the University of Wyoming, where he gave a speech on education issues yesterday. U.S. District Judge William Downes issued the ruling Tuesday after a Monday court hearing. Ayers was scheduled to speak at Boston College last March before the University canceled his appearance, citing safety concerns. A group of protesters with connections to the Boston Police Department were planning a protest of Ayers’ appearance, administrators said. Administrators at the University of Wyoming cited similar threats, which arose from e-mails promising protesters if Ayers were allowed to speak. These worries, however, were not found sufficient. Downes told reporters that such threats cannot be used as a reason to deny Ayers’ right to speak on campus.
GERALD HERBERT / AP PHOTO
Bill Ayers was scheduled to speak at BC last spring before his appearance was canceled. Downes served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, the same period during which Ayers’ radical organization was active. Yet, he said, the law surpasses his own personal feelings. “Even to this day, when I hear that
See Ayers, A4
University pledges to make final decisions by July News Editor
Classifieds, B6 Crossword, A5 Editorials, A6 Editors’ Picks, A9 Forecast on Washington, B8 Politico of the Week, B7 Police Blotter, A2 Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down, A7 Videos on the Verge, B2 Weather, A2
See Inauguration, A3
See PILOT, A4
Admissions wait list at 2,500 students BY MICHAEL CAPRIO
Iranian President goes to Uganda to seek oil deal, B10
Mabida recalled being in her room freshman year, contemplating the activities with which she planned on becoming involved. “I remember sitting in my room, and I decided that I definitely did not want to join the UGBC,” she said. “I took my pen and I crossed it off my list.” But, she said, her hall mates eventually convinced her to join the Mentoring Leadership Program (MLP) – a decision which started her UGBC career and eventually led to the presidency. “The UGBC provides the opportunity to find what you believe in and work toward that in any way that you can. Let us follow in the great BC tradition of entrepreneurship and, as is always the goal, make this a year to remember,” she said in her closing remarks. As Al Dea, president of the UGBC and CSOM ’10, and Alex Hirs, vice president of the UGBC and A&S ’10, approached the podium, the two turned, whispered in each other’s ears, and then turned
When budget shortfalls threatened to close Allston-Brighton’s St. Columbkille Elementary School, Boston College administrators partnered with the school and the Archdiocese of Boston to provide the school with $700,000 annually, which allowed the school to remain open. Buried in between the lines, however, were savings of $3 million annually by the City of Boston. This is just one example of BC giving back to its neighbors, according to University Spokesman Jack Dunn. “We will continue this commitment because we know it is effective and believe that it is the best way for us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Boston’s residents,” Dunn said. “This task force is not just about generating new revenue,” Menino said in the
With the University’s application and acceptance rate up this year, the number of students on the wait list has remained steady, admissions officials said. “Last year, we had approximately 2,500 students on our waiting list, and the number is about the same this year,” said John Mahoney, director of undergraduate admissions, in an e-mail. While the wait list may prolong the anxiety of potential freshmen, it serves as an “insurance policy” to the admissions office, Mahoney said. “Particularly in today’s volatile college admission climate, and with so much uncertainty about the economy, we need to ensure that we meet our freshman enrollment target.”
The University received 29,900 applications this year, a 2 percent rise from the year before. The admissions office expects 2,250 students to enroll for the class of 2014. The office requires that students commit to the University by sending deposits by May 1. “The arrival of May 1 each year sets off all kinds of analysis and maneuvering by all colleges,” Mahoney said. “We know that a certain percentage of those who have committed to Boston College will decide to go elsewhere if they come off another school’s waiting list. But we don’t know what the exact attrition rate will be. So, based upon what we learn about waiting list activity at other schools, we
See Wait List, A4
KEVIN HOU / HEIGHTS EDITOR
Students gather information and take tours of universities while making enrollment decisions.