News
College outlines plans for federal funds received through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Salem State College is expected to receive $6,574,553 in federal funds under the State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The college views these as one-time funds, and has identified eight operating initiatives and four facilities improvement projects that are to be funded with the federal monies.
The bulk of the funding will support technology improvements and facility upgrades and renovations, both of which are identified as major objectives within the college’s strategic plan. According to Andrew Soll, vice president for finance and facilities, “ARRA funds will be used to provide technology in more classrooms, support the design and installation of a new, high speed wireless network across campus and provide student financial aid to offset the reduced funding available in the MassGrant program.”
Additionally, he notes, “ARRA funding will enable the college to successfully address some of the serious space issues it faces by reducing its deferred maintenance backlog, extending the useful life and utility of existing buildings and focusing on energy efficiency.”
The awarding of the SFSF funds follows Governor Patrick’s announcement in March that he was dedicating $162 million in federal education recovery funding for public higher education, and for investments aimed at saving programs and positions on campuses as part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan. The plan is designed to provide immediate and long-term growth, and position the Commonwealth for economic recovery.
“An affordable college education,” he remarked, “is a key part of the future of our students, and of our recovery plan. We are doing everything we can to make college affordable for the increasing number of people who are enrolling in our public colleges.”
Congressman John F. Tierney said, "I am pleased that these important federal funds will be used for crucial projects at the college, many of them green initiatives. These projects will also make a real difference to student's academic experiences and their future success."
Salem State, established in 1854 as Salem Normal School, is a comprehensive, publicly supported institution of higher learning located approximately 15 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. The college enrolls over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students representing 27 states and 65 nations, and is one of the largest state colleges in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.