MCLA defends science funding

By Scott Stafford

Berkshire Eagle Staff

NORTH ADAMS — In the midst of enrollment growth and increasing student interest in its science and technology programs, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is finding itself ill-equipped to satisfy that demand.

With laboratories in buildings that are more than 40 years old, state and college officials argue that the college's facilities limit the potential for students.

And the need is not unique to MCLA, they say. Berkshire County companies, which consistently turn elsewhere for employees with science and technical skills, could start finding those talents closer to home with a well-equipped science program churning out science majors.

This week in Boston, legislators are debating the final budget numbers, which include a proposed $49.5 million for a new science center and $31 million for other facility upgrades at MCLA.

Mary K. Grant, president of the college, said a new science building is long overdue, especially when more students are interested in majoring in science,

In the past five years, the number of students majoring in the sciences has increased 32 percent, with a 26 percent jump coming between 2006 and 2007, according to figures provided by the college.

"Why shouldn't we have the kind of facility in our own backyard — with state-of-the-art equipment that will attract students and faculty?" Grant said in an interview yesterday. "This region should be bold and reach high. It's what we ask our students to do every day."

David M. Rooney, president of the Berkshire Economic Development Corp., said an expanded science curriculum and state-of-the-art science research facility would make Berkshire County an easier sell to attract new businesses and retain existing companies.

"If you want to attract new business, you have to create a sustainable pool of educated, talented individuals," he said. "Increased investment in higher education is an important tool for us, just as connecting eager young minds with practical experience is very important for us."

Under discussion in a House and Senate conference committee is the Life Sciences Bill, which includes MCLA's proposed science building. The Higher Education Bond Bill, which includes the $31 million for the MCLA facility upgrades, has passed both houses and is now in a House and Senate bonding committee.

One promoter of the plan is Fred Clark, chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the board that governs the state's university system.

"We are very anxious to get those bills through before the end of the legislative session," he said. "You can't train a work force for the future in labs that are 50 years old. Those needs have been long-neglected. We absolutely have to provide (MCLA students) with modern facilities to fill the needs of the science-based economy that is growing in Massachusetts."

"This is extremely important to our area and to our students," said state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams. "The premier liberal arts college in the state is right there in North Adams, so what better place to put a life sciences center than at MCLA?"

He said other legislators are aware that other colleges in the public university system have received "$50 (million) or $60 million" for new campus facilities in recent years. And with the high-tech economic development occurring between Albany and Glens Falls, N.Y., a new facility at MCLA will help the region tap those opportunities with modern training and a ready work force.

And the total amount for MCLA, the sum of the science center and facility upgrades, Bosley said, "isn't enough to do what we need to do."

Last week, a Boston Globe columnist criticized the multimillion-dollar science center plan at MCLA and Bosley's advocacy for it; the North Adams Democrat is an alumnus of the college.

"Berkshire County deserves the same kind of opportunity as the rest of the state does," Bosley said. "I make no apologies, and I think it's grounded in sound reasoning."

One important aspect of a new science center at MCLA would be the community component, Grant noted. Last week, Mount Greylock Regional High School science students visited and conducted experiments in MCLA laboratories that they have not the equipment to do in their own school. But to make room, MCLA science classes had to juggle their laboratory times.

With a new science center, the ability for local schools and local companies to use the facilities would be greatly increased.

"At this point, it's very difficult to do," said Adrienne Wootters, the chairman of the physics department. "The labs are being used all day and into the evening to fit everyone in there. We love to have kids come to visit, but we have to shuffle things around. With a new building, classrooms and labs for local teachers and students would be accessible and useful."

To reach Scott Stafford: sstafford@berkshireeagle.com or (413) 664-4995