The Joint Committee on Higher Education convened on July 18, 2025, to discuss critical issues affecting students and educational resources in Massachusetts. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders, highlighting the challenges faced by students and the need for legislative support.

The session began with a heartfelt testimony from a grandmother raising her grandchild in Cabra, Massachusetts. She shared her personal struggles, including the loss of her daughter and the challenges of providing a stable education for her grandchild. Emphasizing the importance of education, she expressed her concerns about the financial barriers that may prevent her grandchild from attending college. Her testimony underscored the emotional and financial burdens faced by families in similar situations and called for more support for educational initiatives.

Following her, Michael Borowski, the student body president at UMass, addressed the committee, advocating for the needs of over 20,000 students. He highlighted the pressures students face, including the need to work long hours while managing their studies. Borowski pointed out that nearly 18% of freshmen at Massachusetts public institutions drop out after their first year, often due to financial strain. He praised recent legislation that made community college free and urged the committee to continue supporting initiatives that would alleviate the financial burdens on students.

Sue Tazjan, a staff and faculty member at Northern Essex Community College, testified in support of House Bill 1427, which aims to establish an open educational resource trust fund. She detailed the significant savings students have experienced through open educational resources, which eliminate textbook costs and improve academic performance, particularly among underserved populations. Tazjan emphasized that this bill would create a sustainable infrastructure for developing educational materials, ensuring equitable access for all students across the state.

The meeting concluded without any questions for the speakers, reflecting the committee's focus on the testimonies presented. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for legislative action to support students and families facing educational and financial challenges in Massachusetts. The committee's ongoing efforts to address these issues will be crucial in shaping the future of higher education in the state.