What Policy, If Any, Should Massachusetts Follow Concerning State Aid to Private Institutions of Higher Education?

Overview & Synopsis

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts needs to develop policies concerning: (1) the future development and expansion of public institutions of higher education; (2) the continued expansion of private institutions of higher education; and (3) the establishment of relationships between these two groups of institutions that will maximize their combined value to the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth's private institutions of higher education represent an asset of unparalleled value that could be lost if the State does not act to insure their survival. Recommendations include: (1) the establishment of a State policy on aid to private higher education designed to conserve and improve the asset that the state now has in private education; and (2) investigation into the many forms of assistance to private higher education. The appendix contains information on support of part-time education through technology. (Author/PG)