Today's poll: Should community college students earning a 3.0 grade point average be eligible for free in-state tuition when they transfer to UMass Amherst?
View full size03.23.2011 | CHICOPEE - An American robin sits on a porch railing at Cabotville Industrial Park during Wednesday's snow.
03.24.2011 | HOLYOKE - The moon makes a cameo appearance early Thursday morning.The Forecast
When hard, chunky snowflakes began falling yesterday afternoon it seemed like the forecast for 2-4 inches falling between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. might be a conservative estimate.
A robin flitted around Chicopee's Cabotville Industrial Park, and the scene looked more like the season's first snow than what could be its last.
By Thursday morning Dwight Street in Holyoke was covered in a film of salt and road treatment, all dressed up with no snow to show. Last weekend's "super moon," now in its waning gibbous phase, ducked behind fast-moving clouds. Crossing into Springfield, the ground in the median and in the woods off the highway was mottled with the lightest dusting of white.
It's gray outside now, with a high of only 42 forecast today. No snow, though, they say.
But it looks like we're in a holding pattern -- the full-spring temperatures we enjoyed at the end of last week aren't due back any time soon. The National Weather Service's 7-Day forecast doesn't show a high above 45 degrees through next Wednesday.
Today's Poll
University of Massachusetts at Amherst Chancellor Robert C. Holub on Wednesday announced the creation of the "UMass Amherst Community College Connection," a program intended to make the university more accessible to community college students.
Under the program, community college students completing an associate's degree with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher will be guaranteed admission through the Joint Admissions or MassTransfer programs. Students earning a grade point average of 3.0 or higher will be eligible for free in-state tuition, currently $1,714.
The first students eligible for the program will be those enrolling in the fall 2011 semester.
What do you think -- should community college students earning a 3.0 grade point average be eligible for free in-state tuition when they transfer to UMass Amherst? Vote in our poll.
Wednesday's results: Yesterday, we asked, "Should funding for Planned Parenthood be cut from the federal budget?"
- 52.17% said Yes.
- 47.83% said No.
Wednesday's Top 5
The top 5 headlines on MassLive.com on March 23 were:
- Developing: One killed in explosion at Balise Honda in West Springfield
- 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 12 Highlights from Week 1 [photo gallery]
- Missing Connecticut girl's parents to speak Wednesday as search continues
- Missing teen Kaitlyn Maslanka found unharmed in Chicopee
- Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade 2011 [photo gallery]
Quote of the Day
“That is kind of funny.”
- Dawn Leaks, upon learning she is owed at least $100, according to the state treasurer’s Abandoned Properties list. Read Patrick Johnson's article here.