Massachusetts colleges are increasing student engagement programs and communication to combat "summer melt," the phenomenon in which accepted students decide not to enroll before classes begin. Worcester State University, Salem State University and Emmanuel College have introduced initiatives such as information sessions and orientation events to support new students and reduce melt rates.

Graduate students at Clemson University have introduced a solar-powered electric vehicle that generates more energy than it consumes during a standard commute in an urban setting. The Deep Orange 17 prototype, developed with industry engineers and BMW, features more than 1,700 photovoltaic cells and a lightweight chassis, demonstrating the feasibility of extreme energy recovery and sustainable mobility.

The Small Business Administration has awarded $50 million in grants to 11 organizations, including community and technical colleges, to provide training and technical assistance for small and midsize manufacturers. The Empower to Grow program aims to expand operations, workforce, regulatory compliance and competitiveness in government contracting. The Maine Community College System received $5 million to enhance classes in fabrication, machining and welding at three colleges.

The IRS is retiring its long-standing FIRE e-filing system at the end of 2026, requiring all institutions -- including colleges and universities -- to switch to the Information Returns Intake System (IRIS) for tax year 2026 filings. IRIS, which was launched in 2022, will be the sole platform for submitting information returns, such as Forms 1098-T and 1099, starting in the 2027 tax season. Institutions must obtain new IRIS Transmitter Control Codes, which can take up to 45 days to process, and adapt their filing workflows to accommodate the new system's stricter validation and immediate error feedback features. The change is prompting a widespread review of tax compliance processes and third-party vendor readiness across higher ed.