NEW BEDFORD — UMass Dartmouth will transfer its College of Visual and Performing Arts back to the main Dartmouth campus, starting with the fall semester.
In a letter to UMass Dartmouth staff and faculty, Chancellor Mark Fuller made the announcement this morning. He attributed the closure to the state’s decision not to fund the New Bedford campus in its Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which was finalized by the state on Aug. 9.
“UMass Dartmouth has therefore been advised to transition our programs out of the Star Store ahead of the fall semester,” Fuller wrote.
The Star Store’s original 20-year lease ended in 2021 and the state and university have been in negotiations for the school to take over the lease.
“UMass Dartmouth has been vigorously engaged in conversations with state officials,” Fuller wrote, listing the Department to Capitol Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), the UMass Building Authority (UMBA) and others, which resulted in the state funding the campus an additional two years.
“However, amid many pressing needs to serve the people of the Commonwealth, next year’s state budget was not able to accommodate the funds to support UMass Dartmouth’s continuing use of the facility.”
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