Governor Baker Declares March 29, 2017 “Colleges of the Fenway Day”

WHEREAS, In 1996, Emmanuel College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, Simmons College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Wheelock College signed the Principles of Collaboration agreeing to form the Colleges of the Fenway; And WHEREAS, In 1999, Massachusetts College of Art , the only free-standing public art school in the country, joined the consortium as the sixth member institution; And WHEREAS, believing that by working together we can enhance the student and faculty environments of our individual institutions, while retaining the unique and special qualities of each of our colleges; And WHEREAS, believing that through the economic benefits of collaboration we can slow down the escalating costs of higher education through the sharing of resources, the ending of costly duplication, and the advantages of joint purchasing; And WHEREAS, through collaboration, our students and faculty will be able to share the best of both worlds; continue to study, live, and teach in a small college environment while also enjoying the resources of a major academic environment; And WHEREAS, over twelve thousand students to date have benefited from cross-registration and academic collaboration through the Center for Sustainability and the Environment and joint minors; And WHEREAS, the colleges have saved over ten million dollars in the past five years through joint purchasing; And WHEREAS, thousands of students participate in co-curricular events through intramurals, performing arts and joint social events to enhance their collegiate experience and strengthen our campus community; And WHEREAS, the colleges benefit from shared services through the Global Education Opportunities Center, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Training and Development NOW THEREFORE, I, Charles D. Baker, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2017 to be: Colleges of the Fenway Day