►
Description
Students now can truly call UMass Boston home! Mayor Walsh, Interim Chancellor Katherine Newman, University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan, local elected officials and university supporters gathered to celebrate a ribbon cutting for the very first residence hall at the University of Massachusetts, Boston in Dorchester. The new facility is a state of the art, 1,000-bed residence hall with flexible living/learning spaces and a dining hall for residents, the entire campus community and Columbia Point neighbors.
A
B
Well
good
afternoon,
everyone
and
welcome
to
all
of
you.
My
name
is
Katherine
Newman
and
I
have
the
distinct
honor
to
serve
as
the
interim
chancellor
of
this
distinguished
University.
It's
a
pleasure
for
me
to
welcome
you
especially
to
welcome
some
of
our
distinguished
guests,
Secretary
of
Education
Jim
Peyser,
who
serves
also
on
our
board
of
trustees,
mayor
Walsh,
whose
support
for
the
construction
of
our
new
residence
hall
was
absolutely
essential.
B
The
leadership
of
the
business
and
civic
communities
who
recognize
the
critical
importance
of
public
higher
education
deserve
our
thanks,
as
do
all
the
citizens
of
the
Commonwealth
whose
hard-earned
tax
dollars
support
the
essential
mission
of
public
higher
education.
We
would
not
be
standing
here
today
if
it
were
not
for
the
tireless
advocacy
of
President
Martin
Mian.
He
argued
strenuously
that
a
majority-minority
campus
in
the
heart
of
the
education
capital
of
the
country
deserve
the
same
opportunities
as
all
other
tier
1
research,
universities.
B
Sodexo,
our
campus
dining
partner
played
a
major
role
in
the
design
process
and
will
provide
financial
support
to
the
Dining
Commons
in
partnership
with
the
university.
They
will
run
and
operate
our
first
ever
all-you-can-eat
dining
facility
under
the
leadership
of
our
very
own
executive
chef,
Joanne
lagron
Joanne.
Are
you
here
somewhere
she's
fabulous?
She
is
great.
B
You
know,
as
a
new
chancellor
fortunate
to
reside
over
a
beautiful
campus
poised
on
the
water's
edge,
just
a
stone's
throw
from
this
incredibly
vibrant
city,
I'm.
Well
aware
of
all
those
who
came
before
me,
who
had
to
suffer
through
years
and
years
of
dirt,
mounds
of
construction,
noise
of
labyrinthian
roadways
that
snaked
all
around
the
campus
and
the
constant
pressure
of
difficult
budget
decisions.
So
we
need
to
give
credit
where
credit's
due
hats
off
to
Chancellor
Keith
motley,
who
could
not
be
here
today.
B
B
You
know
we
use
terms
like
inclusion,
a
great
deal
on
this
campus,
but
Gail
and
her
colleagues
gave
an
entirely
new
meaning
to
the
term
by
the
building
of
this
Residence
Hall.
Alongside
our
spectacular
multicultural
31,
Resident
Assistants
that
they
recruited
the
Student
Affairs
Division
has
developed
a
vibrant
program
of
clubs
of
activities
of
academic
engagements
both
for
the
new
residents
students
and
for
our
commuting
students
and
bringing
those
two
communities
together
is
the
essence
of
inclusion.
So
thank
you
vice
chancellor
disa
batino
and
colleagues.
B
B
These
fine
colleagues
recruited
all
of
our
new
residents,
1,100
of
them,
and
work
to
ensure
that
they
had
the
financial
support
they
needed
to
live
here.
So
Thank
You,
Vice,
Chancellor,
Johnson,
the
distinguished
Faculty
of
UMass
Boston,
the
staff
that
works
alongside
them
and,
above
all,
the
students
on
our
campus
past
and
present
commuter
and
resident.
They
are
the
heart
and
soul
of
this
institution,
and
that
includes
our
friends
and
colleagues
who,
just
a
few
minutes
ago,
holding
their
signs
of
protest.
B
A
life
outside
whose
advocacy
for
their
concerns
is
celebrated
by
our
common
commitment
to
the
freedom
of
speech.
We
are
welcoming,
all
of
them
and
last
but
absolutely
not
least,
we
recognize
the
women
and
men
who
built
these
beautiful
buildings,
the
labor
unions
that
represent
them,
the
construction,
companies
and
architects
who
develop
the
project.
B
And
the
public
safety
and
environmental
watchdogs
that
make
sure
that
everyone
was
properly
protected.
If
you
want
to
get
a
sense,
come
back
in
a
couple
of
weeks,
and
you
will
see
that
the
pictures
of
our
construction
workers-
three
big
ones-
are
along
that
hallway
and
they
will
remain
there
forever
so
that
everyone
remembers
who
made
these
buildings
possible.
The
UMass
Boston
project
labor
agreement
was
the
first
construction
project
in
the
history
of
the
Commonwealth
to
meet
both
gender
and
minority
participation
requirements
and
is
now
a
model
for
the
entire
state.
B
B
You
know
for
the
first
53
years
of
this
University's
history,
our
students
have
come
to
campus
taken
classes,
participated
in
student
activities,
studied
in
the
library
and
then
piled
into
their
cars
and
onto
the
T
to
go
home
next
week,
as
the
students
return
to
campus
more
than
a
thousand
of
them
will
do
something.
No
one
has
ever
done
in
the
history
of
this
campus.
B
They
will
live
right
here
and
let's
take
a
minute
to
celebrate
how
the
leadership
of
this
campus
long
before
I
got
here
plan
to
ensure
that
those
thousand
students,
some
forty
percent
of
the
freshman
class,
would
be
truly
representative
of
the
campus
community.
Umass
Boston
is
unique
within
our
large
public
university
system,
in
the
proportion
of
its
students
that
come
from
low-income
households,
they
are
working
students
who
sacrifice
every
day
to
support
their
education
for
those
students
to
take
part
in
this
residential
experience,
it
was
necessary
to
commit
significant
financial
resources.
B
Accordingly,
1.4
million
dollars
was
committed
to
campus
living
grants
to
make
sure
these
halls
would
serve
a
fundamental
purpose
of
integrating
our
students
from
all
walks
of
life,
including
the
23%
of
them,
who
are
Pell
eligible
and
the
43%
who
are
from
underrepresented
minority
groups.
We
call
that
putting
your
money
where
your
mouth
is.
B
C
Thank
you
very
much,
Katherine,
it's
great
to
see
so
many
people
here.
Let
me
first
of
all
say
that
Katherine
is
you
all
know?
Those
of
you
on
the
campus
has
an
unbelievable
background.
She's,
an
incredible
scholar.
She
was
a
faculty
member
at
Princeton
Dean
at
Harvard.
She
was
a
Dean
at
John
Hopkins.
She
was
a
Provost
at
out
at
UMass
Amherst
and
we
are
in
good
hands
with
Catherine
Newman
and
Catherine
I'm,
getting
great
feedback
from
the
faculty
from
the
deans
from
everybody
on
this
campus.
C
C
And
if
you
look
at
those
300
institutions,
the
only
one
of
them,
the
only
one
in
the
nation
without
housing
on
its
campus,
was
UMass
Boston,
that's
unacceptable.
So
one
of
the
things
I
did
after
I
got
my
marching
orders
from
Chancellor
motley
was
I,
went
and
called
the
Secretary
of
Education
Jim
paese
I
said
Jim
I
really
want
to
talk
about
this.
We
couldn't
get
this
done
without
the
governor
signing
off
on
it
and
Jim
set
up
a
meeting
went
over
to
meet
with
the
governor.
C
C
Why
do
we
want?
Why
do
we
want
housing
for
UMass
Boston?
We
know,
statistically
from
study
after
study
its
students
that
live
on
campus.
Then
a
part
of
academic
programming
on
the
campus
have
a
higher
likelihood
of
academic
success
if
they
are
part
of
academic
programming
and
living
on
the
campus,
it
seems
to
me
that
a
campus
in
an
urban
area-
it
is
majority
minority-
ought
to
have
that
same
opportunity
for
those
students
to
be
in
an
environment
that
we
know
statistically
will
result
in
higher
student
success.
That
should
happen
here
at
UMass
Boston.
C
That's
why
we
wanted
housing
here
at
this
great
university.
Now
there
are
a
lot
of
people
that
went
to
bat
with
this
on
the
campus,
but
I
want
to
tell
you
something.
The
real
success
is
going
to
be
those
students
who
live
here
who
have
an
opportunity
to
study
with
other
students
who
are
part
of
learning
communities
who
have
faculty
assigned
to
work
with
them
so
that
they're
ensure
a
greater
likelihood
of
academic
success.
C
That's
what
the
mission
of
this
university
is
all
about
and
a
walk
through
the
door
and
see
housing,
not
just
another
piece.
This
is
world-class,
so
I
thank
everyone
who
is
involved
in
designing
this.
All
you
have
to
do
is
go
up
to
the
12th
floor
by
the
way
and
look
out
and
ask
yourself:
would
you
want
to
live
here?
I
would
so.
This
is
historic
for
UMass
Boston,
but
it
sets
the
tone
of
where
we
want
UMass
Boston
to
continue
to
grow
and
continue
to
achieve
more
and
more
and
higher
and
higher
XS.
C
This
is
just
the
beginning
of
a
transformation
of
this
great
University,
this
great
urban
university.
That
means
so
much
to
the
city
of
Boston,
to
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
and
indeed
the
world,
so
I
congratulate
everyone
involved.
I
also
want
to
thank
another
critical
partner
with
us
he's
a
mayor
of
the
city
of
Boston
and
I
will
tell
you
that
there
is
anime
or
anywhere
in
America
that
doesn't
fundamentally
understand
the
importance
of
a
public
research
university
to
that
city
and
Marty.
C
Walsh
gets
that
in
fact,
study
after
study
that
the
mayor
has
conducted
over
the
years
shows
he's
interested
in
affordable
housing
for
Boston.
He
knows
that
one
of
the
ways
to
create
more
affordable
housing
opportunities
for
people
in
Boston
is
to
get
students
who
live
on
University,
who
are
attending
universities
in
Boston
to
get
on
to
the
University
campus
to
free
up
that
housing.
Rest
assured
this
building
wouldn't
be
here
without
the
support
of
mayor
Marty,
Walsh
I
am
delighted
at
his
partnership
with
the
University
to
make
this
university
even
greater.
C
We
intend
to
continue
to
work
together
to
make
sure
of
both
UMass
Boston
achieves
even
greater
success
in
terms
of
internships,
coops
exponential
learning
opportunities
in
interacting
with
the
Boston
community.
It
wouldn't
be
here
without
mayor
Walsh,
he's
a
great
friend
of
the
university,
a
great
friend
of
mine.
Please
welcome
the
mayor
of
the
city
of
Boston
may
evolve.
D
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
that,
and
thank
you
for
your
leadership
in
the
university
system
and
thank
you
for
your
commitment
to
UMass
Boston
I
want
to
thank
you
Chancellor
as
well
for
doing
an
incredible
job.
We
met
in
my
office
probably
about
three
months
ago,
and
we
talked
about
what
we
want
to
what
we
want
to
see
here
at
the
University
and
I'll.
Tell
you
I
appreciate
all
we've
laid
the
groundwork.
You've
laid
out.
I
also
want
to
thank
a
few
other
people.
D
I
want
to
thank
Michael
Collins,
who
was
the
Chancellor
here
for
many
many
years
who
started
the
conversation
kind
of
the
second
time
side
of
the
conversation
on
the
dorms.
It
started
the
first
time
dude,
we
won't
go
there,
but
the
second
time
it
got
a
little
better
and
Keith
motley
came
in
and
did
an
amazing
job
and
actually
sold
a
vision
of
this
campus
to
the
community
and
I
see
a
lot
of
the
community
folks
here
today
from
Ashmont
Adams
in
Clemson
law,
civic
and
difference
of
civic
associations.
Thank
you
for
being
here.
D
D
I
want
to
thank
Senator
limited
of
cena
4e,
who
was
a
state
rep
when
this
all
started
down
the
other
end
of
town
and
then
became
the
senator
for
this
district
Russell
Holmes
represented
Russell
Holmes
who's
been
a
champion
advocate
to
make
sure
that
this
school
continues
to
be
strong
and
understand
the
importance
of
having
a
public
college
in
the
city
of
Boston
in
particularly
in
Dorchester,
and
that
we
continue
to
serve
the
neighborhood
so
Thank
You
representative
Frank
Baker,
my
Frank
Baker's.
First
involvement
was
this.
D
He
was
active
in
the
Civic
Association
when
the
conversation
started
happening.
The
two
of
us
were
in
the
back
of
the
room
and
we'd
be
talking
about
the
importance
of
moving
forward,
so
we're
here
today.
Thank
you,
Council
Baker,
as
well
for
being
a
champion
for
this
school,
both
as
a
private
citizen,
but
as
a
public
is
citizens
for
that
as
well.
The
board
of
trustees.
Thank
you.
The
staff,
the
teachers,
the
faculty,
but
most
of
all
the
students
past
and
present
to
all
the
alums
in
this
in
this
building.
D
I
want
to
thank
you
for,
for
supporting
and
being
supportive
of
this
school.
It's
so
important
for
all
of
us
to
make
sure
that
you,
mass
Boston,
is
successful,
and
so
there's
new
sue
instead
of
moving
in
here
is
pretty
awesome.
Waterfront
property
and
you're
not
paying
you're,
not
paying
$1,000
a
square
foot
for
it
at
least
I.
Don't
think
you
are
so
I
want
to.
Thank
I
want
to
thank
you
and
everyone
who
made
this
happen
over
the
years.
Umass
Boston
represents
the
promise
for
higher
education.
D
It
puts
a
college
degree
college
experience
within
the
reach
for
the
working-class,
kids
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
beyond
the
city
of
Boston,
but
for
the
City
of
Boston
kids.
So
many
young
people
came
here
and
got
their
degrees
here,
some
didn't
for
you.
Some
did
in
six
years
son
did
it
longer
than
that,
but
they
kept
kept
banging
away
again
their
degree.
So
it's
really
exciting
about
that.
The
true
commitment
here
needs
to
be
in
is
to
the
students,
its
neighbors
and
the
future
of
Boston.
D
D
We're
also
joined
by
Steve,
representing
Brett
former
rep
lives
across
street
as
well,
and
this
this
building
was
always
a
part
of
my
life,
because
the
first
part
of
my
life
was
my
father
built
that
building
and
then
throughout
my
life
as
a
young
person
as
a
civic
leader
in
the
colombiano
Civic,
as
a
state
representative
and
now
as
mayor
I've,
been
proud
to
see
this
building
grow
and
in
this
Boston
institutions
he's
so
successful,
there's
so
many
other
people.
This
getting
to
this
point
was
not
easy.
D
Getting
to
this
point
was
many
conversations
with
the
community,
because
the
idea
of
this
school
as
a
commuter
school,
which
is
still
is,
was
at
the
forefront
of
a
lot
of
people's
minds.
The
understanding
of
a
lot
of
young
people
living
in
this
building
and
living
in
the
neighborhoods
is
also
happening,
and
what
my
team
Ian
said
is
absolutely
right.
We,
when
we
put
our
housing
plan
together
and
chill
at
Dylan's
here
today,
who
put
our
housing
plan
together.
D
A
housing
plan
was
to
create
53,000
units
in
new
housing
in
the
City
of
Austin
by
the
year
2030.
A
big
component
of
that
housing
plan
was
working
with
our
colleges
and
universities
in
Boston
and
having
them
to
have
100%
on-campus
housing
by
the
year
2030,
and
it
was
important
because
what
happens
is
a
freeze-up
neighborhood
housing
stock
in
the
different
communities.
D
Why?
Because
down
the
street,
you
have
JFK
UMass
station
and
it
has
access
to
all
over
Boston
for
people
to
come
here
and
it's
if
you
talk
to
young
people,
older
people
they'll
still
talk
to
you.
This
is
very
much
their
option
for
education.
Do
you
mass
system
so
today
is
a
celebration.
Today
should
be
a
celebration,
it's
about
growth
and
about
about
this
university
growing
and
expanding,
but
it's
also
about
understanding
keeping
to
its
core
values,
because
this
university
is
keeping
to
its
core
values
and
that's
something.
D
That's
really
important
and
that's
something
that
when
we
met
with
Kathryn,
that
was
something
that
she
said.
My
team
Ian
talked
about
a
majority
people
color
University.
It
is
so
important
that
we
keep
that
in
this
in
this
neighborhood
in
this
school
in
particular,
it's
important
that
we
see
the
science
building
out
front,
that
Senator
jack
conte
got
the
money
for,
in
the
very
beginning
that
we
can
see.
You
see
the
growth
happening
out
there
and
jackie
was
able
to
get
the
money
and
Linda
kept.
That
tradition
going
forward
and
Nick
Collins
is
gonna.
D
Keep
that
tradition
going
moving
forward
now.
So
this
truly
is
not
just
a
neighborhood
University
in
the
sense
of
the
people
live
in
the
neighborhood
it
is
for.
All
of
us
is
like
the
officials
as
well
that,
because
we're
all
so
proud
of
this
university
I
am
so
off
my
notes,
right
now,
so
I'm
gonna
stop
talking
it's
exciting.
D
Today,
I
remember
one
of
my
first
meetings
as
the
state
rep
in
this
in
this
as
a
rep
in
this
neighborhood,
and
we
were
up
in
over
in
the
Quinn
building
and
we
were
having
conversations
about
the
needs
for
the
school
and
at
that
point
the
conversation
was
that
the
buildings
were
deteriorating.
There's
no
places
for
the
young
people
that
are
coming
here
to
live.
D
The
campus
life
is
in
a
life
because
we're
connected
by
bridges
and
no
one
really
congregated
together,
and
the
first
thing
was
the
the
general
academic
building,
the
first
building
that
we
did.
The
Student
Center
was
the
first
building
that
was
built
and
that
started
to
change
the
course
of
culture.
D
When
we
did
the
project
labor
agreement,
the
Kathryn
reference
and
understanding
the
importance
of
making
sure
that
project
labor
agreement
was
put
in
place
to
make
sure
that
the
people
that
work
in
this
building
reflected
the
community
and
all
of
the
buildings
that
have
been
on
here
have
fallen,
that
the
numbers
that
the
BIA
we
call
them-
VI
JP,
Boston
jobs.
Residency
numbers
were
not
part
of
the
original
process
process.
D
D
I
want
to
thank
I'm
gonna
Baker
for
continuing
that
great
support
here
at
this
university
understanding
the
importance
of
making
sure
that
our
public
university
system
is
the
best
in
the
country,
and
he
understands
that
and
we're
gonna
continue
to
work
with
him
as
we
move
forward,
not
just
here
in
this
campus,
but
the
other
campus
as
well.
Even
though
they're
not
in
Boston,
we
have
to
share
a
little
with
them.
So,
thank
you
very
much
for
being
here
today
enjoy
the
day.
B
Thank
You
mayor
Walsh,
and
you
know
what
this
is
just
the
beginning.
So
you
know
when
you
cast
your
eyes
over
at
that
pump
house.
That's
the
next
thing.
I
have
my
mind
on
we're.
Gonna
make
something
beautiful
out
of
that
and
to
help
us.
We
have
our
absolutely
fantastic
Board
of
Trustees
and
it's
a
real
honor
for
me
to
welcome
a
great
friend
of
the
University
trustee
Mary
burns
as
she
offers
remarks
on
behalf
of
the
UMass
building,
Authority.
E
Thank
you
everyone's
a
great
afternoon
here
in
Dorchester,
the
weather
is
perfect
to
live
in
oceanfront
housing
on
behalf
of
Victor
Wooldridge
in
AU.
Mass
building,
Authority
I
want
to
thank
each
and
every
one
of
you
for
being
here
today.
This
is
a
major
milestone
for
UMass
Boston.
In
the
University
of
Massachusetts
system.
E
It
illustrates
UMass
is,
and
you
mass
building
authority's
commitment
to
the
continued
meteoric
success
of
the
Commonwealth
public
research
university
system,
along
with
the
innovative
approach
in
ongoing
beautiful
transformation
of
the
campus
construction,
was
aggressively
scheduled
to
meet
student
demand.
It
was
done
on
time
and
within
budget.
Despite
many
complexities
inherent
on
the
Boston
campus
Construction
was
completed
in
less
than
21
months.
Through
careful
management,
we
are
indebted
to
the
project
team
led
by
capstone
development
partners.
E
They
assembled
a
talented
team,
including
renowned
architect,
Elka's
Manfredi
and
the
construction
firm
of
Shama
construction
I
also
want
to
recognize
the
staffs
of
the
UMass
Building
Authority,
led
by
Tricia
Phillip
Owen
and
UMass
Boston,
now
being
led
by
our
wonderful
Chancellor.
Catherine
knew
for
their
dedicated
focus
and
effort
to
deliver
the
Boston
campuses
first
residence
halls.
That's
transforming
this
city's
public
university.
E
Not
only
have
we
achieved
these
demanding
financial
and
construction
objectives,
but
we
have
done
so
while
upholding
the
cornerstone
of
this
great
campus,
the
spirit
of
inclusion
and
diversity,
even
with
the
immense
effort
of
the
project
or
by
the
project
team
and
their
partners.
None
of
this
is
possible
without
great
leadership.
E
A
sincere
thank
you
goes
out
to
the
board
of
trustees,
chairman
Rob
Manning,
UMass,
President,
Marty,
Mian,
governor
Charlie,
Baker,
lieutenant
governor
Karyn,
Polito
Boston,
mayor
Marty,
Walsh
Secretary
of
Education
Jim
Peyser,
Chancellor,
Katherine,
Newman,
members
of
the
legislature,
members
of
the
City
Council
members
of
the
federal
government,
because
this
is
all
one
big
group
that
makes
all
this
happen.
I
also
want
to
thank
a
a
thank
you
to
the
UMass
Board
of
Trustees
I'm,
coming
with
me
today,
Robert
Epstein
and
marry
Paris
Jeffries
Sara
Terry
and
Michael
Bryan
who's.
E
Also,
a
UMass
Building
Authority
member
I
also
want
to
thank
the
oomba
Board
in
the
many
other
elected
and
appointed
supporters
to
this
local
state
and
federal
levels,
without
whom
this
never
would
have
been
constructed.
As
you
know,
this
effort
began
many
years
ago
and
those
that
came
before
us
laid
the
foundation.
We
must
recognize
their
efforts
and
appreciate
that
they
overcame
many
hurdles
to
gain
the
support
needed
for
this
project.
To
begin
past,
University
and
home
became
Invicta,
Woolridge,
Henry,
Thomas
and
Phil
Johnson.
E
Thank
you
also
to
the
oume
board
members
who
worked
on
this
as
its
inception,
including
Jeff,
Mullen,
Frank,
Callahan,
Chris,
Philbin
and
Kieran,
Courtney
and
finally,
and
most
importantly,
to
the
students
who
will
call
these
beautiful
buildings
home
I,
welcome
you
to
the
City
of
Austin
and
the
University
of
massive
Massachusetts
Boston
community
of
UMass
Boston
beacons.
Thank
you
and
congratulations.
B
Thank
You
trustee
burns.
Next,
I'd
like
to
welcome
mr.
jeff
jones,
a
principal
in
the
capstone
development
and
the
project
executive
for
the
residence
halls.
Jeff
led
the
development
team
and
was
instrumental
in
setting
up
the
partnership
with
the
university,
which
is
a
unique
opportunity
for
the
commonwealth.
Jeff.
A
Balancing
these
competing
objectives
is
a
challenge,
but,
as
you
can
see,
from
the
beautiful
design
and
the
quality
construction
around
us
today
and
the
fact
Lisa,
congratulations
that
this
beautiful
project
will
open
at
100%
occupancy.
This
is
a
p3
success
story
in
which
all
involved
can
be
proud
to
their
credit.
A
To
their
credit,
and
as
other
speakers
have
noted,
mayor
Walsh
issued
the
challenge
governor
Baker
authorized
the
p3
method
of
delivery
and
then
oomba
and
UMass
Boston
selected
the
team
they
felt
could
best
deliver
this
project
and
then
our
public
and
private
teams
rolled
up
our
sleeves
and
a
highly
collaborative
process
to
make
this
happen.
Time
does
not
allow
me
to
thank
all
of
the
individuals
who
were
responsible
for
this
successful
endeavor,
but
I
want
to
recognize
two
of
my
capstone
colleagues
William
Davis
and
David
Morrissey.
Our
development
and
construction
managers.
A
And
our
architect,
Eliquis
Manfredi,
please
raise
your
hand
or
stand
up.
Those
of
you
with
Elvis
men,
Freddie
and
Shama
design
and
construction
are
remarkable
contractor
who
are
responsible
for
and
on
time
within
budget
delivery
and
importantly
meeting
our
collectively
established
standards
of
quality,
sustainability
and
affordability
for
students.
A
A
Some
who
contributed
mightily
to
this
effort
are
no
longer
with
the
University,
but
their
vision,
passion
and
contributions
to
this
first
residential
community
on
this
campus,
and
this
first
p3
project
in
Massachusetts
will
be
far
reaching
bringing
a
new
24/7
vitality
to
this
University
and
I
want
to
particularly
remember
Ellen
O
Connor
and
her
leadership
for
the
university.
During
this
endeavor.
A
Kudos
to
the
University
and
capstone
on
campus
management
teams
for
pre
leasing
this
community
to
100%,
even
with
the
campus
looking
like
a
construction
zone
for
the
last
two
years
or
more,
when
we
embarked
upon
this
endeavor
as
partners,
there
were
doubters
I
think
it
is
fair
to
say
that
we
have
exceeded
expectations
and
I
want
all
to
understand
our
can
craft.
Congratulations,
the
entire
UMass
family
on
the
delivery
and
opening
of
this
truly
transformational
project.
Thank
you.
So
much.
B
Bayla
is
a
senior
biology
major
on
the
pre-med
track.
With
a
psychology
minor
she's
been
active
in
the
office
of
student
leadership
and
community
engagement,
she
has
led
alternative
to
Spring
Break
trips
and
participated
in
the
first
year,
Leadership
Institute,
and
now
she
is
one
of
the
proud
inaugural
residents
of
this
building.
Beyla.
Take
it
away.
F
I've
heard
that
students
were
instrumental
on
advocating
for
on-campus
housing
options
here
at
UMass,
so
I'm
very
honored
to
be
able
to
share
my
thoughts
on
behalf
of
current
and
past
students.
First
off
I
would
like
to
thank
everyone
for
coming
to
our
campus
on
this
beautiful
day
to
celebrate
a
historical
event
for
UMass
Boston
and,
on
behalf
of
the
students.
I
want
to
thank
everyone
who
contributed
their
hard
work
time
and
effort
to
make
this
day
possible.
F
F
I
believe
that
as
a
senior
I
have
a
lot
of
knowledge
and
experience
here
in
this
community
and
at
UMass
Boston
in
my
experience
through,
my
involvement
has
made
me
fall
in
love
with
this
campus
and
its
community
and
I
would
love
to
share
my
knowledge
and
experience
with
the
students
who
will
be
living
on
our
campus
to
make
sure
that
their
journey
is
nothing
but
extraordinary
at
this
world-class
institution.
I
also
want
to
provide
guidance
in
any
way
to
ease
the
hard
transition
that
is
high
school
to
college.
F
F
This
is
the
place
that
is
a
diverse
community
that
enhances
our
entire
campus
I
want
everyone
to
feel
like
UMass
Boston
is
their
home
a
home
where
they
can
grow
and
become
leaders
a
place
that
excites
them
about
the
college,
experience,
learning
and
being
at
UMass
Boston
beacon
that
will
shape
and
impact
their
time
as
students
and
future
alums.
As
a
student
of
course,
I'm
incredibly
excited
for
our
residence
halls
here
as
an
RA
and
I
also
want
to
see
how
it
enhances
the
entire
UMass
Boston
community.
F
As
a
commuter
school
community
has
been
a
challenge
for
our
campus,
but
with
these
residence
halls,
there's
a
new
opportunity
for
canoes
for
students
to
connect
this
campus,
its
resources,
its
unique
spirit
and
its
potential
to
transform
lives.
It
offers
us
the
chance
for
more
enthusiasm
surrounding
UMass
Boston
and
to
lay
a
strong
foundation
which
to
lay
a
strong
foundation
for
the
beginning
of
so
many
beacons.
F
The
opening
of
these
buildings
in
this
community,
which
is
welcome
to
all
students
here
at
UMass,
gives
us
a
chance
to
provide
a
place
that
starts
and
ends
with
the
students.
The
last
54
years
on
our
campus
history's
evidence
that
our
campus
is
ever-changing,
but
in
the
most
positive
of
ways,
and
not
only
is
it
shown
by
this
ribbon-cutting
ceremony
today,
but
also
there
are
less
dirt
piles
at
Columbia
Point.
Am
I
right,
as
you
must
Boston
adjust
and
adapt
to
these
changes.
F
We
just
stay
positive
and
keep
the
students
at
the
center
of
our
lives
and
any
issues
that
we
encounter.
We
can
do
this
together,
and
we
should
remember
that
we're
all
in
this
together,
so
for
a
brighter
future
at
UMass
Boston.
We
can
do
it
if
our
UMass
Boston
United-
and
we
should
remember
that,
just
because
we're
a
little
late
to
the
residential
community
game
doesn't
mean.
We
can't
have
an
amazing
experience
for
our
UMass
Boston
residents
and
non-residents.
Thank
you
and
have
a
wonderful.