Regis, a leading Catholic university in Greater Boston, is a part of a consortium of 19 colleges and universities that focuses on reducing the cost of higher education. The Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges Consortium (LCMC) was formed in January and has recently received a grant from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in support of its efforts.
Members of the LCMC all have a high percentage of students with a greater financial need. The consortium works to lower the cost of attendance and to strengthen the financial viability of its member institutions through collaboration and innovation.
“We’re grateful to The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for recognizing the importance of higher education for all and not just a few,” said Regis President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. “Increasing the access and affordability of an education not only improves lives, but improves our community and world as a whole. Regis is proud to be a part of a consortium whose mission is so critical to the future.”
Consortium meetings include the presidents, senior staff and selected faculty. The following institutions with a total enrollment of more than 35,000 students are active LCMC members: Adrian College; Alvernia University; Bay Path University; Bridgewater College; Centre College; College of Mount Saint Vincent; Heidelberg University; Holy Names University; Houghton College; Lasell College; Lesley University; Mary Baldwin University; Mount Ida College; Norwich University; Roger Williams University; Saint Joseph's College of Maine; University of La Verne; and York College of Pennsylvania.
The LCMC evolved through the leadership of Lasell College President Michael Alexander to address opportunities to lower tuition and improve instructional quality at small liberal arts institutions of higher education with large percentages of Pell Grant qualifying students. The LCMC is currently collaborating on two academic programs related to financial planning and computer science.
