Fitchburg State University Freezing Tuition and Fees for 2021

Fitchburg State University will freeze undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2021-22 academic year, University President Richard S. Lapidus announced this week.

"Access and affordability are central to Fitchburg State's mission," Lapidus said. "Our commitment to keeping costs flat reflects that dedication to keeping higher education within reach for students and families, especially at a time when so many have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic."

Fitchburg State has long employed strategies to limit fee increases, and it remains among the most affordable universities in Massachusetts' public higher education system.

The pandemic has created new and challenging financial conditions for all of higher education, but Lapidus said Fitchburg State is working to keep from passing those costs onto students and their families.

The university continues to see growth in its nationally-ranked online programs, for example, and its mix of unique professional programs with a traditional liberal arts foundation remains a smart investment for students, Lapidus said.

"For more than 125 years, Fitchburg State has been changing students' lives for the better," Lapidus said. "We are continuing that work and are ready to serve today's and tomorrow's students."

Fitchburg State is still accepting applications for fall 2021. The priority deadline for applicants is Monday, March 1. Applications received after that date will still be accepted but please contact the admissions office for assistance with completing the application process. You can find more information at fitchburgstate.edu/admissions-aid.

Sizer Students Dedicated to Being Peer Mediators

Over the last month, 12 Sizer School students have participated in an 18-hour online course to become Peer Mediators.

Run by Lisa Wood, Vincent Crotwell, and Kathy Hughes at Mediation Services of North Central Mass, Inc (MSI), these Sizer School students have learned conflict resolution techniques, active listening skills, how to use neutral language and how to navigate emotionally difficult situations to help with conflict resolution.

According to James Fortier, Dean of School Culture, Title IX Coordinator and Peer Mediation Coordinator, mediation is a method of conflict resolution that has worked well for Sizer School for many years.

"These students took these skills and actively participated in role play scenarios throughout the course. They learned how mediation can help make a positive difference," he said.

"Mediators do not take sides, do not decide who is right or who is wrong, and do not provide solutions. They listen, and help peers navigate difficult conversations. Mediators help those in need find their own solutions," he explained.

"The idea of having these students trained in mediation is to be more accessible and approachable to their fellow classmates to come forward about needing help with conflicts, compared to speaking with adults," he said.

Before any mediation process begins, there is a pre-screening by Fortier and Assistant Dean and Peer Mediation Coordinator Jade Le'Jeune. They meet with both parties to make sure that they both have an interest and investment in the process.

The process that mediators are taught helps guide parties through a conflict avoiding the need to place blame, thereby leaving room for differences of opinion and factual differences and respects differences in values and behaviors.

"The process leads to individuals creating the solution themselves," said Fortier. "Parties are more committed to honoring all agreements because of the investment that went into the process of developing the agreements."

Many of the student participants themselves became involved in order to give their peers an option to resolve conflict more comfortably.

"I decided to participate in the Peer Mediation Program because I've had to spend time talking to an adult over a situation and I know that it can just be uncomfortable or make people anxious," explains 9th grade student, Elias Rodriguez of Fitchburg. "Having the chance to be a peer mediator, I thought of how it could help the people who need mediation to have someone closer to their age. That could make some people more comfortable."

"I decided to participate in the Peer Mediation Program because it actually works, said 10th grade student James Geehan of West Townsend. "I have been in peer mediation as a peer and it has actually helped my situation. I wanted to help others out like this program helped me out. I really hope that I can actually help someone out of their tough situation. It feels good to do right."

Tenth grade student Elizabeth Waite of Lunenburg said she also joined with the hopes of being able to help others.

"I decided to participate in the Peer Mediation Program because I wanted to help people and make sure they felt like they had somewhere to go," said Waite.

Other students joined the program to learn conflict resolution techniques they can use in all areas of life.

"I decided to participate in the Peer Mediation Program because I'm not great at dealing with conflict. I've had friends who got on each other's nerves, and when they did I didn't know how to help," said 9th grade student Alessandra Suzzi, of Templeton. "My siblings also fight a lot, so I wanted a way to help calm them down and solve whatever problem they were facing. The Peer Mediation Program definitely gave me the tools I needed to diffuse any possibly harmful situations and help everyone get along better."

Eighth grade student Veronica Fernandez of Fitchburg said, "I decided to participate in Peer Mediation because I found that it was both a chance to help fellow community members, whilst also strengthening my knowledge and understanding of human emotions. I sought it out because I thought that it would be a learning and growing experience."

And 8th grade student Camden Scott of Leominster said he wanted a new experience.

"I decided to participate in the Peer Mediation Program because I felt it would be a nice experience for me to be able to help others! Once I heard about the program I knew I needed to join!" said Scott.

Sizer School is a free public charter school located in Fitchburg serving students in grades seven through twelve from 25 local towns and cities. At Sizer School students are known personally, challenged intellectually, and participate actively in their learning. Guided by its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, the school seeks to send graduates into the world who THINK for themselves, CARE about others, and ACT creatively and responsibly. If you would like to know more about Sizer School, visit www.sizerschool.org.

Sizer is currently enrolling in the 7th, 8th and 9th grade for the 2021-2022 school year. Apply today at www.lotterease.com.