Orientation Presentation
For every new Trustee, we provide a comprehensive orientation program which provides high-level information about the University. Please click here to download the latest version of this presentation.
Welcome! Board of Trustees Portal
Welcome, UMass Trustees! This portal offers curated content to support your governance role, including the UMass mission, campus distinctions, and strategic priorities. It’s designed to help you understand the system’s unique strengths and its vital role in the Commonwealth.
As Chair of the UMass Board of Trustees, I'm pleased to provide this portal to provide high-level information about the University, your role and responsibilities as a Trustee, and other assets to support you in this critical role.
A Message from Chair Steve Karam
Chair of UMass Board of Trustees
A Message from Chair Steve Karam
Chair of UMass Board of Trustees
Mission
The mission of the University of Massachusetts is to provide an affordable and accessible education of high quality and to conduct programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world.
About UMass
The University of Massachusetts is a world-class public research university system with four comprehensive research universities, a world-renowned medical school, and a mission-driven law school. In every regard, UMass is a national model of excellence for public university systems.
World-class education: UMass offers intellectually challenging academic programs and uniquely marketable degrees in a state with the most educated workforce and the second-highest median wages in the nation. Faculty members at UMass are engaged, accessible and focused on student outcomes, while a diverse student body encourages debate and expands cultural competency and social conscience.
Groundbreaking research: UMass is renowned for cutting-edge research aimed at eradicating diseases, addressing climate change, alleviating poverty and developing innovative solutions to some of the world's most complex problems. Research at UMass regularly produces new products and technologies that fuel economic growth and launch startup companies throughout Massachusetts.
Impactful service and engagement: As the second-largest employer in the state and the largest contributor to the Massachusetts workforce, UMass is a key economic driver in every region of the Commonwealth, generating billions of dollars in economic activity each year and proudly strengthening the social and cultural fabric of its communities. UMass also partners with dozens of companies who use campus facilities for research, development and commercialization, driving growth in emerging and established industries.
Spirit of Massachusetts: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is home to a revolutionary spirit — a relentless drive for innovation, growth and advancement, a willingness to do what’s never been done before in order to achieve the ‘impossible.’ Disrupting the status quo and driving forward progress is in the very DNA of Massachusetts, and it’s that determination that has cemented this state’s place in history and ensured its enduring leadership and success.
Your dedication of time and talent as a Trustee is critical to our continued success, and I am so grateful to you for your service. The chancellors, our teams, and I are prepared to support you however we can.
A message from President Marty Meehan
President of the University of Massachusetts System
A message from President Marty Meehan
President of the University of Massachusetts System
Resources
Members
Learn more about the other members of the UMass Board of Trustees.
Meetings
Learn more about the standing meetings and upcoming meetings of the UMass Board of Trustees.
Policies
Learn more about the policies of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees.
The Role of a Trustee
Statutory: The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for establishing those policies necessary for the administrative management of personnel, staff services and the general business of the University.
Fiduciary: The Trustees are given broad responsibility to assure that University funds are spent properly, that the University exercises appropriate stewardship of University assets, and that operating results are positive. Most day-to-day responsibility to achieve these overall goals is delegated to the President and staff or to the Chancellors of the campuses through the President.
Summarized Trustee Code of Conduct
- Trustees will familiarize themselves with responsibilities
- Trustees will learn how the University functions
- Trustees will be prepared for and participate in meetings
- Trustees will vote, based on their own convictions, for what is in the best interest of the university
- Trustees will maintain confidentiality
- Trustees will not engage in misconduct
- Trustees will comply with Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy
About UMass Amherst:
UMass Amherst is a world-class public research university that fosters innovation, empowers leaders, and makes a positive difference in the world.
In a state with 100+ higher education institutions, UMass Amherst is the flagship public research university—leading by example and empowering students and citizens to do better, reach further, and achieve greater in the pursuit of progress for Massachusetts and beyond.
With over 200 distinct academic programs, UMass Amherst stretches across nearly 1,450 acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley—only 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting.
- 31,700+ Enrolled Students
- Student to Faculty Ratio – 18:1
- #26 U.S. News & World Report ranking among National Public Universities
About UMass Boston:
The University of Massachusetts Boston is a nationally ranked public research university known for its inclusive culture, student-centered teaching and deep connections to the booming economy and rich civic life of Boston.
UMass Boston takes pride in being the third most diverse college campus in the country. We provide a variety of resources and training to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all.
The campus is located on 120 acres of waterfront property that overlooks the city and Boston Harbor.
A shuttle system and convenient public transportation options allow students to seamlessly travel into downtown Boston. Students are able to work in and explore this dynamic and historic city.
- Total enrollment of 15,500 Students
- Student to Faculty Ratio – 16:1
- #1 in New England for social mobility according to U.S. News & World Report
About UMass Dartmouth:
As a national research university, UMass Dartmouth opens a world of exploration and discovery. Our students work with world-class faculty researchers and journey into real-world innovation and experiences.
What originated as New Bedford Textile School in 1895, evolved overtime and became the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 1991.
The bold, brutalist architecture unique to UMass Dartmouth represents architect Paul Rudolph’s vision for an "urban" public university, coupled with progressive achievements in the fields of design and engineering.
UMass Dartmouth is committed to creating, educating, and sustaining a culturally competent, diverse, equitable, and welcoming campus that builds inclusion and pursues belonging.
- Over 7,900 students enrolled
- Student to Faculty Ratio – 15:1
- 82% of students receive financial aid.
About UMass Lowell:
UMass Lowell is a Research 1 university committed to preparing students for work in the real world— solving real problems and helping real people— by providing an affordable, high-quality education.
Programs span and interconnect the disciplines of business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. The university continues to build on its founding tradition of innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnerships with industry and the community to address challenges facing the region and the world.
The Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy is the university’s center for hands-on research on sustainability, climate change and renewable energy. Their goal is to create blueprints for human-scale sustainability in communities throughout our region and across the world.
- Total Enrollment 16,750+
- Student to Faculty Ratio - 17:1
- 45% of first-year students are first-generation
About UMass Chan Medical School:
UMass Chan Medical School was established in 1962 with the primary goal of providing affordable, high-quality medical education to Massachusetts residents and increasing the number of primary care physicians in the state.
It aimed to address a perceived shortage of doctors and ensure that state residents had access to medical training and care.
UMass Chan Medical School has two branch campuses in Springfield and Burlington with over 100 Clinic Affiliates.
- Total enrollment 1,489 students
- Nearly 7,000 employees
- Known for collaborative research in areas such as RNA therapeutics, gene therapy and digital medicine.
About UMass Law:
UMass Law is the only public law school in Massachusetts. We are committed to providing an excellent, affordable, and accessible legal education that:
- Balances legal theory, doctrine, skills, experience, and professionalism
- Graduates competent, ethical, and creative professionals
- Prepares our students to thrive in a changing profession
- Advances justice through research, writing, teaching, learning, and practice
UMass Leadership
Presidential & University-wide Initiatives
Affordability and accessibility
President Meehan has long been a champion for affordability and accessibility. Under his leadership, UMass has made record investments into university-funded financial aid, increasing it by $173 million, or 73 percent, to a new high of $409 million since he became UMass President in 2015. President Meehan also recently announced that all four undergraduate campuses will fully cover the costs of tuition and mandatory fees for students coming from households earning $75,000 or less per year through a combination of federal, state and university aid.
UMass Campuses announce plans to fully cover tuition and fees of high need students
UMass Early College
Early college programs allow high school students to earn transferable college credits for free, with some students earning up to two years’ worth of college credits before they graduate high school. Since the launch of the UMass early college programs in Fall 2022, the number of students served has continued to grow considerably. President Meehan announced plans to triple Early College enrollment to 2,000 in five years at his 2024 State of the University Address.
Community College Partnerships
Massachusetts community colleges are the single-largest source of UMass transfer students, accounting for 44 percent of all transfers. Now, with the launch of MassEducate - which provides free community college to all residents of Massachusetts - President Meehan has directed the University of Massachusetts to double-down on our commitment to these students. That is one of the reasons that he launched the UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship last year, which provides at least $10,000 in scholarships to students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class at a Massachusetts community college and transfer to a UMass campus.
UMass Community College Advantage Scholarship
Sustainability
All five UMass campuses have made a collective commitment to be “good stewards of resources” including not only fiscal resources but also a commitment to be environmentally responsible in their areas. Each campus' programs and services work to help UMass, as a whole, become a more sustainable entity.
Learn more about sustainability at UMass
