House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North
Reading) has appointed Representative David K. Muradian, Jr. (R-Grafton) to a
special state commission that will explore allowing Massachusetts colleges to
provide distance learning programs to out-of-state students.
The special commission, which was created through an outside
section of the Fiscal Year 2017 state budget, is charged with making
recommendations for the Board of Higher Education to enter into interstate
reciprocity agreements. Accredited,
degree-granting colleges and universities in Massachusetts will be allowed to
voluntarily participate in these agreements to provide distance learning
programs to students in other states.
The commission is scheduled to hold its first meeting the
week of August 1, and to report back to the Legislature and the Board of Higher
Education with its recommendations by October 31.
“As a member of the Joint Committee on Higher Education,
Representative Muradian has a strong interest in promoting and expanding the
rich variety of academic programs offered by our state colleges and
universities,” said Representative Jones.
“I have full confidence that David will discharge his responsibilities
admirably and that his talent and expertise will add significantly to the work
of the commission.”
“I am honored to be appointed to this special commission,”
said Representative Muradian. “I look
forward to working with the other members to develop a distance learning
proposal for the Legislature’s consideration.”
Education Secretary James Peyser is chairing the 17-member
special commission. In addition to
Representative Muradian, the commission’s members include Higher Education Commissioner
Carlos Santiago, Attorney General Maura Healey, the House and Senate Chairs of
the Joint Committee on Higher Education, and North Shore Community College
President Patricia A. Gentile.
Governor Charlie
Baker will appoint 10 of the commission’s members. These appointees will include a
representative of a consumer advocacy organization; a student representative; a
representative of an organization that advocates for students; and a
representative of an online learning association.
Representative Muradian represents the Ninth Worcester
District, which consists of the communities of Grafton, Northbridge and Upton.
