President Caret speaks at Faculty Council

UMass President Robert Caret, PhD, spoke before the UMMS Faculty Council on Thursday, June 7, in a wide-ranging talk touching on his own background and his overall plans for the University. President Caret talked about UMass developing a wider sphere of influence around the state, especially in regions such as far Western Massachusetts, where he stopped on a statewide bus tour last fall. “People in this state really do respect us.”

Caret outlined six goals that will “build on what’s there,” including improving student experience and success, focusing on research, educating the citizenry, improving social well being, proving the University is being good stewards of state resources and telling the UMass story. “The focus is not going to change, we’re just going to get better,” he said.

Caret also touched on longer-term goals such as improving the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pipeline from the state’s high schools and planning for a future system-wide $2 billion capital campaign to help all campuses.

Speaking a day after the UMass Board of Trustees voted for a 4.9 percent fee increase, Caret addressed the media maelstrom caused by comments from Gov. Deval Patrick, who did not support the fee increase. “We are not a war with the governor’s office. We do have a difference of opinion,” said Caret, who has urged the state to increase support of public higher education to take the burden off student fees.

Related links on UMassMedNow:
UMass President Caret stops in Worcester on statewide tour
Caret inaugurated as 26th president of UMass