We received more good news concerning state support for the University of Massachusetts system.

In the final days of this year's legislative session, both the House and Senate gave overwhelming approval (38-0 in the Senate and 154-0 in the House) to a UMass plan to sell 110 acres of Nantucket property to the Nantucket Conservation Foundation for $20 million. Under the plan, the fragile habitats on the property will be protected forever from development, and UMass scientists will continue to use the property as an environmental science field station, which UMass President Jack Wilson has fittingly described as a “living laboratory.”

The money raised through the sale, meanwhile, will be placed in the UMass endowment with the ensuing investment income being used to create endowed chairs (including at UMass Dartmouth) and an “excellence fund” to support research and teaching activity across the system.

This success story, which involved complicated negotiations with many parties, is a direct result of the skillful and passionate advocacy of President Wilson and the quiet but superlative behind-the-scenes work of UMass Executive Vice President James Julian.

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Speaking of conservation, we are making every effort to preserve the natural beauty of our own campus – the intellectual habitat, if you will, of our faculty, staff and students – as we grow.

As we build a new 1,200-bed housing complex (400 beds to open in spring 2005, an additional 800 in fall 2005), we are including much-needed new parking for our students. While such work inevitably results in the loss of some trees, be assured that plans are being drafted to restore our landscape with new plantings. We are fortunate to have one of the best in the business working at the task – biology Chancellor Professor Emeritus James Sears.

Jim’s uncommon talent and dedication to UMass Dartmouth can be seen across the campus landscapes. Jim, shovel in hand, working alongside his students to beautify an area of campus, is always a welcome scene.

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Jim Sears is one example of faculty members who go above and beyond the call of duty, time and time again. Here’s another one.

Mediterranean Studies Professor Tony Miraglia is assisting us in the establishment of a new Scholarship Wall highlighting the scholarly and creative contributions that our faculty and staff have made to humanity. The wall will be a constant, physical reminder of the knowledge that has been created at this university over its four decades of existence.

Please plan on joining us for the unveiling of the wall on September 14th in the third floor atrium of the administration building. Contact Joyce LeBlanc for more information.