FRAMily to Family

Textbooks cost too much? Framingham State University has a solution for that A consortium of colleges led by Framingham State University will begin a new project that aims to reduce the cost of textbooks for students.

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the former Confederate States of America.

Many Massachusetts Department of Higher Education staff are observing today. On the occasion of this new holiday, we remember the stain and legacy of slavery while celebrating our collective efforts to achieve equity & racial justice in higher education.

Tulsa Race Massacre 100th Commemoration A century after the riot, the people of Tulsa and the nation continue to struggle to reckon with the massacre’s multiple legacies.

Framingham State celebrates graduates from 2020 and 2021 In the 2019-20 academic year, 824 undergraduate and 477 graduate students were celebrated, while 775 undergraduate and 287 graduate students were included in the 2020-21 school year.

Congratulations to all of our Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 Rams! We can't wait to celebrate your accomplishments today!

Did you know senior Emily Pacheco helped to found Framingham State’s first American Sign Language (ASL) Club on campus? During her time in ASL Club, she served as secretary and just finished her term as president. Emily is an American Sign Language major with a concentration in ASL-English Interpreting and is today’s 2021 Senior Spotlight!

Emily chose to attend FSU because it was the only university to offer ASL/Interpreting close to home. She said, “It really was amazing that FSU launched their 4-year interpreting program when I graduated high school” because of the affordable prices and close proximity to home.

Pacheco stayed busy during her time at FSU, participating in a range of University organizations and activities. She traveled to Memphis, Tennessee her freshman year as part of Alternative Spring Break and worked to revamp ASB to Explore 2 Serve. Pacheco also worked for the New Student and Family Programs office as a Black and Gold Orientation Leader, Wet Feet Retreat Leader, and Peer Mentor.

One of her fondest memories includes the first bake sale for ASL Club. “We all worked so hard and were amazed by the donations students made and how everyone came together to make baked goods,” said Pacheco. “I will never forget that day - we made over $500! I think that is a record for bake sale profits at FSU! It felt so good to see everyone come together and for new students and faculty to stop by our table and learn more about ASL.”

Emily credits FSU’s close-knit and supportive community for making her feel “so welcomed and empowered” to achieve her goals as a student leader.

After graduation, Emily will work in Rhode Island as an ASL Interpreter Coordinator. She is also pursuing her credentials and licensure to become a working interpreter in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Pacheco said she feels “very prepared” for life after graduation. “The ASL program is amazing and has been very encouraging in my transition to life after graduation,” said Pacheco.

Like many other graduating seniors, Emily will miss her professors and being a student leader and hopes to apply the skills she has learned at Framingham State into her career.

Pacheco would like to thank Bruce Bucci, Luce Aubry, and Irma Kahle for “all their hard work in the ASL/Interpreting courses and making my senior year an amazing one despite being remote through it all!”

Congratulations, Emily!

As the spring semester ends and new students start thinking about attending college for the first time in the fall, it can be a stressful time for both parents and students. To help prepare, check out this list of 51 college tip that graduates wish they had learned when they first arrived on campus: https://rb.gy/nfsidz

In order to attend classes in the fall, all students will need to receive the COVID19 vaccine. Everyone above the age of 16 in the state is now eligible to get the vaccine. The COVID19 vaccine is completely free and has been proven to be both safe and effective. It is imperative that all members of our community be completely vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to return to normal in the fall.

Although Derek Chauvin's conviction moves us closer to police accountability, the recent devastating deaths of Daunte Wright and Ma'Khia Bryant emphasize the ongoing need for justice for Black lives. A virtual processing space will be provided to the FSU community on Friday, April 30th, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. This space will center the experiences and voices of Black community members and discuss how to move from accountability to justice. To register for this event, click here:

Accountability Is Not Enough - Virtual Processing Session Friday, April 30, 2021 from 2:00 - 3:00pm

Find your place, be empowered, and make your mark at Framingham State University. The deadline to commit to FSU for the fall is May 1st!

My Way 2020 Find your way and make your mark at Framingham State University