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Date: 7/11/2023
AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts Amherst and the town of Amherst announced a new, five-year strategic partnership agreement totaling contributions by the university of $5.5 million to the town.
The June 28th announcement increases the university’s financial support for fire and ambulance services and includes funds for a new ambulance, as well as “support toward town services to promote safe and healthy neighborhoods and an increase in the university’s annual contribution to support the education of K-12 students residing in university-owned housing,” according to a statement released by the university.
Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, who stepped down at the end of June, offered praise for the agreement.
“For the past decade, I have had the pleasure of calling Amherst home. I am happy that, as I prepare to depart, we are able to finalize this strategic partnership agreement. The university and the town have always worked closely together and this agreement will serve to strengthen our partnership in the years to come so that Amherst remains as one of the top college towns in America.”
Echoing Subbaswamy’s sentiments, Town Manager Paul Bockelman said, “After many months of frank and fruitful discussions, I am very pleased that we have a new agreement. The town and the university meet regularly and work well together.”
In numbers provided in the announcement, the agreement will include $3.5 million for fire and ambulance services, $400,000 toward town services that support safe and healthy neighborhoods, and $1 million for the town’s public schools to support the education of K-12 students residing in university-owned tax-exempt housing.
The university will also continue to provide funding equal to that of a 6% lodging fee for each occupied room per night at Hotel UMass, except for university accounts. UMass will also pay the town for licenses, fees and services, including water and sewer service, as well as $125,000 to support other services provided by the town.
“This agreement is an important step in recognizing our shared needs and concerns and sets an exciting new standard for our relationship going forward,” Bockelman said,
In concurrence, Subbaswamy said, “In any town-gown relationship, there are bound to be ups and downs. But we know we are better when we work together. This agreement shows that we are both confident about the relationship and our future shared successes.”
Bockelman also offered praise for Subbaswamy, who departs after 11 years as chancellor.
“I especially want to recognize Chancellor Subbaswamy, who has been committed to completing this agreement which recognizes the important role the university plays in the town,” he said.
The new agreement is the sixth between the town and university since 1995. It is retroactive to July 1, 2022, and extends through June 30, 2027.