Chancellor Meehan looks back on UML
Three years ago University of Massachusetts Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Marty Meehan as Chancellor of University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML).
Prior to this Meehan had represented the fifth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993-2007.
There were objections to Meehan coming to UML with a largely political background, but now that three years have passed, he says, “I won the job in the process itself. When I came to the campus there were doubting Thomases wondering how could someone from the Congress come in and get this university going but I think in the process itself when I met with students, when I met with faculty, I think a lot of those who were doubting came around.”
He believes that coming from the Congress helped prepare him with the skills he has needed as Chancellor of UML.
“Being in the Congress helped me more than I realized,” he said, “I think leadership is important in both roles and fundraising is important for any modern university chancellor.”
He also cites the ability to listen to various constituency groups, like students and faculty, as a skill he learned in the Congress.
Of course, Meehan came in knowing UML well. He graduated from the university in 1978 after studying education and political science. He also worked as an adjunct faculty member in the political science department in the late 1980s after earning a master’s degree in public administration from Suffolk University in 1981 and a juris doctor from Suffolk University Law School in 1986.
He took the job as Chancellor of UML in 2007 not knowing what to fully expect from it.
“I wish I had known how little money was around,” he said. “The fact is when I got here the budgets were in terrible shape and I really felt that this place needed an infusion of energy, vitality, and competent budgeting.”
In his three years as Chancellor, Meehan has tried to bring these components to UML. He has done a great deal with the expansion of the university, including the additions of the Tsongas Center and the Inn and Conference center, as well as the starts of two new academic buildings, one of which is set to begin construction soon.
The Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center (ETIC), which Meehan says, “will be the envy of research universities in New England,” is an $80 million, cutting edge building that will be constructed on North Campus during the next two years.
“I think it will send a clear message that UMass Lowell is a research institution that’s growing,” said Meehan about what the building will mean to the university.
It will also attract the engagement of 30-50 companies that will hopefully result in job opportunities for students while they are at UML and also after they graduate.
Many students are excited for what this new building will bring to UML.
“UML has wonderful engineering and science programs, this could really help in distinguishing UML’s programs from other state schools’ programs,” said student Julia Funaro in support of the building.
However not all students are completely on board with the changes that are being made.
“I don’t see the point in demolishing one dorm to build another elsewhere,” said student Michael Trapani in reaction to destruction of Smith Hall that will allow for the construction of the ETIC.
North Campus is not the only part of UML that can expect changes. There is also going to be a new academic building on South Campus that will accommodate, among other things, nursing, criminal justice, and psychology programs, opening up more space for other departments on the campus.
This is all in an effort to bring the university together.
“I don’t want a building going up on just one side of the river,” said Meehan. “It’s really important to try to bridge the so-called divide that the river presents.”
Meehan is also excited about the names that UML is attracting, including Drake, who will be performing at the Tsongas Center on Thursday, April 29, and National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, who is set to be this year’s commencement speaker.
“When he comes to speak what he says will be covered by every newspaper in America and I think that’s good for the university,” he said. “I think the commissioner will be an inspirational role model who’s going to share his experience. He started at the National Football League as an unpaid intern and he worked his way up and now he’s the commissioner.”
Through all of this, though, Meehan says that he is most proud of the fact that students’ success rates are increasing.
“When I got here 75% of the freshmen class was successful. That means 25% flunked out. Now we have that figure down to about 8.6%. I would like to see us moving that down as much as we can,” he said.
He attributes this increase in student success to the fact that more students are living on campus, the creation of learning communities in the freshman class that have allowed students who are taking classes to stay together, and an excellent faculty.
Meehan encourages students to get involved.
“I think students should evaluate how we’re doing and give constructive criticism as to how we can do better and I welcome that,” he said. “I love to get students engaged with ideas.”
He looks at the direction he is taking UML in and wants it to be a place that above all will benefit the students.
“I think that we’re headed in the right direction, but it’s everyone’s accomplishment, not just mine.”
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