Cabral Adds Authorizations for UMD Facilities in House Bond Bill

Late Wednesday night, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a general bond bill that included two critical projects for the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral (D-New Bedford), Chairman of the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, added these authorizations and ushered them both to final passage.

Totaling $65 million, the legislation would fund the construction and renovation of a STEM Discovery Facility—to advance STEM programs in the colleges of engineering, arts and sciences, and nursing—and a new Integrated Learning Facility.

“Investments in public higher education are among the best we can make here in the Commonwealth,” said Rep. Cabral. “UMass Dartmouth is a university on the move, which is why we need modern, state-of-the-art facilities to meet the needs of students, and ultimately the needs of the job market. Not to mention the importance these types of facilities have on enrollment.”

“I want to thank Chairman Cabral for his advocacy of this $65 million in new academic space at the Main campus of UMass Dartmouth,” said Chancellor Robert Johnson. “Our students and faculty are second to none and deserve learning and discovery facilities that help them and our region reach their full potential.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

--Rep. Cabral's Office