February 26,2004

Dear Colleagues:

The February 25th Boston Globe reported a story on Page B1 that raises serious concerns about the recent actions of staff members at the Board of Higher Education vis-a-vis the state colleges.

Detailed examination of the recently released "Accountability Study" of the state colleges indicates that the BHE used retention and graduation rates for colleges and universities at the highest level of admissions selectivity for its comparison of state college retention and graduation rates. The institutions at the highest admissions selectivity include most major research universities in the country. State colleges in Massachusetts are grouped at the third level of admissions selectivity -- "moderately selective."

The Globe story reported that when Mass state colleges are compared to genuinely peer institutions -- in terms of admissions selectivity and part-time student enrollment -- our graduation and retention rates are comparable or even slightly better than national averages. It would appear that the BHE selected a benchmark for comparison that was at best misleading and at worst intentionally detrimental to the colleges.

The state college presidents have raised objections to the methodology used and to its release to the media in advance of its release to the colleges themselves or to the MSCA. The MSCA Board will consider additional actions at its meeting next Friday at Worcester State College. This meeting, as are all MSCA Board meetings, is open to the MSCA membership. The Globe article will be posted on the MSCA website.

Sincerely,

Pat Markunas
MSCA President

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