BOSTON — The House overwhelmingly voted to make Salem State College a university yesterday, lifting it over another hurdle with just weeks remaining in the legislative session.
Both the Senate and Gov. Deval Patrick have until July 31 to sign off on name changes to the state college system that would create a Salem State University.
While efforts have been under way for more than a decade, the bill is now closer than ever before, having easily passed the House with all North Shore legislators in favor.
Salem State President Patricia Meservey exchanged hugs and applauded from the House gallery at the Statehouse yesterday afternoon, then gestured thumbs up to state Rep. John Keenan on the chamber floor below, seconds after the 124-21 tally was announced.
Meservey had testified in favor of the name change at the Statehouse in September, claiming it would make the college more competitive.
"The biggest benefit is to our students who will earn a degree from an institution properly identified as a university," Meservey said yesterday.
On the House floor, Keenan argued the university bill would help Salem State students compete against graduates from public universities in other states, such as Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, which changed its name in 2003.
"Salem State College is a university," Keenan said. "So let's call it a university. This is a change in name only to fit the mission they're doing now."
The bill creates a state university system among the state's nine colleges. Salem State and others, including Bridgewater State, Westfield State and Worcester State, would drop the "college" and add "university."
Critics argued the bill would have no substantive impact on education and would only broaden the leading student barrier to higher education — cost.
University professors and other employees would demand university salaries, forcing students to foot the bill in the form of higher fees and tuition, according to state Rep. Kevin Murphy, D-Lowell.
Keenan noted that 80 percent of graduates from Massachusetts public colleges stay in Massachusetts, naming Congressman John Tierney and another prominent Salem State alum.
"One person came to Salem State in 1990, stuck around and is now mayor of Salem — Kimberley Driscoll," Keenan said.
The university name change bill still has a long way to go with little time to get bogged down in Beacon Hill politics. It next moves to a Senate committee, where it could be voted out and eventually reach the Senate floor before heading to Gov. Deval Patrick's desk for signing.
Patrick has indicated he supports the bill, said Fred Clark, the executive officer of the Massachusetts State Colleges Council of Presidents.
"We're cautiously optimistic," Clark said.
One feature that could help its passage, supporters have said, is that the modest cost of the name change — mostly in the form of new stationery and signs — will come out of the college's existing budgets and not require a separate allocation from the cash-strapped state budget.
"Now we'll work with our leadership on the Senate side," Meservey said.
One of that chamber's highest-ranking leaders indicated yesterday that the prospects are encouraging.
"I'm pleased with the overwhelming vote in the House," Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry, D-Peabody, said in a statement moments after the tally. "Although there is only two weeks left in the legislative session, I am optimistic of a successful ending."
Staff writer Chris Cassidy can be reached at ccassidy@salem news.com.
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants
Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
