Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education

Last updated

The Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) is a government body in the U.S. state of Connecticut that oversees the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU). CSCU and the BOR were created on July 1, 2011, consolidating the governance of the state's twelve community colleges, four state universities (but not the public University of Connecticut, which is governed separately), and Charter Oak State College. [1] The BOR assumed the powers and responsibilities of the respective former Boards of Trustees and the Board for State Academic Awards; [2] it also retains many responsibilities for setting statewide policy of the former Board of Governors for Higher Education. [3]

Contents

Board composition

The BOR consists of 19 members who are Connecticut community leaders and reflect the state's geographic, racial and ethnic diversity. Voting members are not employed by or serve as a member of aboard of trustees for any independent institution of higher education in Connecticut or the Board of Trustees of the University of Connecticut. Voting board members may not be employed by or be elected officials of any public governing body during their term of membership on the Board of Regents for Higher Education. Nine members of the board are appointed by the governor of Connecticut. Four members of the board are appointed by the majority and minority leaders of both houses of the Connecticut General Assembly. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the student advisory committee serve as members of the board. The Commissioners of Education, Economic and Community Development and Public Health and the Labor Commissioner serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the board. [1] Beginning in October 2013, the chairperson of the faculty advisory committee joined the board as an ex officio non-voting member. [4]

Board chairs

Board president and staff

The president of the Board of Regents serves as the chief executive officer of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, who administers, coordinates, and supervises the activities of the board in accordance with the policies established by the board. The president has responsibilities for:

  1. implementing the policies and directives of the board and any additional responsibilities as the board may prescribe,
  2. implementing the goals identified and recommendations made by the Planning Commission for Higher Education
  3. building interdependent support among the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College
  4. balancing central authority with institutional differentiation, autonomy and creativity, and
  5. facilitating cooperation and synergy among the Connecticut State Universities, the community colleges, and Charter Oak State College.

An executive staff, under direction of the president, is responsible for the operation of the Board of Regents for Higher Education. The board establishes terms and conditions of employment of its staff, prescribe their duties and fix the compensation of its professional and technical personnel. Upon recommendation of the president, the Board of Regents has appointed a vice-president for the community colleges and a vice-president for the state universities with such duties that include oversight of academic programs, student support services and institutional support. [8]

Presidents

Institutions

Community colleges: Asnuntuck Community College, Capital Community College, Gateway Community College, Housatonic Community College, Manchester Community College, Middlesex Community College, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Norwalk Community College, Quinebaug Valley Community College, Three Rivers Community College, Tunxis Community College

State universities: Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University

Online university: Charter Oak State College

Proposals

In December 2015, the Board of Regents proposed that criminal convictions be considered in employment decisions concerning professors in the university system. [16] The proposed change came after Connecticut State Senator Kevin Witkos called for accountability after a Central Connecticut State University professor, Ravi Shankar, received a raise while serving time in prison over multiple criminal convictions. [17]

In October 2017, the Board of Regents unveiled a proposal dubbed "Students First" to consolidate management of the twelve community colleges under a single accreditation to become the Community College of Connecticut. Various back office functions, such as facilities, financial aid, fiscal affairs, human resources, information technology, and institutional research were also planned for consolidation. [18]

The proposal was rejected on April 24, 2018 by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges-Commission on Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE), serving as regional accreditor for the community colleges, although the Commission left open the possibility of pursuing the plan as a new institution. [19]

On March 24, 2022 the New England Commission of Higher Education accepted CSCU’s substantive change proposal, giving the system the green light to proceed with the plans to merge Connecticut’s 12 legacy community colleges. [20]

On July 1, 2023, the commission granted Connecticut State Community College (CT State or CSCC) initial accreditation as a new singly accredited comprehensive community college and now the largest community college in New England. [21]

The combined institution will include the roughly 70,000 students at its twelve predecessor institutions with over 300 academic programs offered across its statewide branch and satellite campuses.  

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hartland, Connecticut</span> Town in Connecticut, United States

Hartland is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,901 at the 2020 census. The rural town is part of the Northwest Hills Planning Region and forms the northwest border of Hartford County. Currently, the town consists of two unincorporated areas, East and West Hartland, entirely separated by the northern portion of the Barkhamsted Reservoir. A third area, Hartland Hollow, was flooded when the reservoir was completed in 1940.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Connecticut State University</span> Public university in New Britain, Connecticut, U.S.

Central Connecticut State University is a public university in New Britain, Connecticut. Founded in 1849 as the State Normal School, CCSU is Connecticut's oldest publicly-funded university. It is made up of four schools: the Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; the School of Business; the School of Education and Professional Studies; and the School of Engineering, Science, and Technology. As of Spring 2022, the university was attended by 8,898 students: 7,054 undergraduate students and 1,844 graduate students. More than half of students live off campus and 96 percent are Connecticut residents. The school is part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system (CSCU), which also oversees Eastern, Western, and Southern Connecticut State Universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charter Oak State College</span> Public community college in New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College is a public online college based in New Britain, Connecticut. The college was founded in 1973 by the Connecticut Legislature and offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The college is adjacent to Central Connecticut State University and is named for Connecticut's famous Charter Oak.

Philip E. Austin is an American economist who served as the 13th president of the University of Connecticut from October 1, 1996 to September 14, 2007. He returned to serve as interim president in May 2010 following the abrupt departure of Michael J. Hogan. Prior to UConn, Austin served as president of Colorado State University (1984–1989) and chancellor of the University of Alabama System (1989–1996).

Robert W. Heagney is a former member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing Simsbury, Connecticut, the 16th House Assembly District, for the Republican Party. He is also a lawyer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunxis Community College</span> Community college in Connecticut, United States

Tunxis Community College is a public community college in Farmington, Connecticut. Opened in 1969, it is named after the Tunxis Native American Tribe and is part of the Connecticut Community Colleges system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanessa Lynne Bryant</span> American judge (born 1954)

Vanessa Lynne Bryant is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecticut State University System</span> Public university system in Connecticut

The Connecticut State Universities (CSU) are part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, the largest public higher education system in Connecticut, and the second largest in New England. The four comprehensive state universities enroll almost 35,000 students and 180,000 alumni. The first of the universities to be founded was Central Connecticut State University, established in 1849 as a normal school for teacher education. Over time the other three institutions were founded as normal schools and in 1959 they were converted into state colleges to reflect their expanded mission. From their founding until 1965, they were overseen by the Connecticut State Department of Education. In 1965 the General Assembly transferred control of the then-colleges to an independent board of trustees. In 1983, the four institutions were converted into universities, together constituting the Connecticut State University System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedro Segarra</span> Puerto Rican-American politician and lawyer

Pedro E. Segarra is a Puerto Rican-American politician and lawyer who served as the 66th mayor of Hartford, Connecticut. Prior to becoming mayor, Segarra was president of Hartford's City Council. He succeeded former Mayor Eddie Perez who resigned after he was convicted by a state Superior Court jury of bribery and extortion in a political corruption case, though Perez' convictions eventually were reversed by the Connecticut Appellate Court. Segarra was sworn in as mayor on June 25, 2010, and won re-election on November 8, 2011. In 2015, Luke Bronin defeated Segarra for the Democratic mayoral nomination. He is Hartford's second mayor of Puerto Rican ancestry and the first openly gay mayor of the city. He is also the second openly gay mayor of an American state capital city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Aresimowicz</span> American politician

Joe Aresimowicz is a former American Democratic politician serving as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives and former Speaker of the House. From 2013 to 2017, he served as Majority Leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Witkos</span> American politician

Kevin Witkos is a Republican member of the Connecticut State Senate, representing the 8th District since 2009. He served as Deputy Senate Republican President Pro Tempore since January 2017 to January 2019. and previously served as Minority Leader Pro Tempore from 2014 to 2016 and Caucus Chairman for Outreach since 2013. Witkos served as the State Representative from the 17th district which includes Canton and part of Avon from 2003 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Office of Consumer Counsel</span>

The Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) is an independent Connecticut state agency located in New Britain, Connecticut, that was created for the purpose of advocating for all utility ratepayers in Connecticut. Since its establishment in 1975 by Connecticut Public Act 75-486, the OCC has served as an independent voice for Connecticut's electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunications consumers through advocacy and consumer education.

Stanley Fred Battle is an American educator, author, civic activist and former leader of Coppin State University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Currently, Battle serves as the director of the Master of Social Work program and as a professor of social work at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Len Fasano is a Republican member of the Connecticut Senate, representing the 34th District since 2003. Fasano was sworn in as Senate Republican President Pro Tempore in January 2017. Under the new leadership role Senator Fasano will lead a Republican caucus with considerably more control over the Senate's agenda than in previous years as a result of a power sharing agreement negotiated after Republicans gained three seats in the Connecticut Senate, creating a tie for the first time since 1893. Previously, he had served as the Senate Minority Leader since 2015.

Dorothy Cheney Goodwin was an American educator and politician. She taught at the University of Connecticut (1957–1974) and served in the Connecticut House of Representatives (1975–1984) as well as on the Connecticut State Board of Education (1984–1990). She was inducted into the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame in 1994.

Richard J. Balducci is a retired lobbyist and politician from Newington, Connecticut who was the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1989 to 1992. He also served one term in the Connecticut State Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas C. Katsouleas</span> American academic administrator

Thomas Christos Katsouleas is an American physicist, engineer, and academic administrator. In February 2019, he was named the 16th president of the University of Connecticut and officially began his term in August. He resigned the presidency in 2021 and returned to the faculty.

Otto C. Neumann was an American Republican politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eileen Kraus</span> American banker

Eileen Shanley Kraus was an American business executive who broke the glass ceiling to be the first woman to run a major bank in Connecticut. She was inducted into the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame in 2002.

References

  1. 1 2 Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 10a-1a. http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_185.htm#sec_10a-1a. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  2. ↑ CGS Section 10a-71, http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_185b.htm#sec_10a-71; CGS Section 10a-88, http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_185b.htm#sec_10a-88, and CGS Section 10a-143(d), http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_185b.htm#sec_10a-143. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  3. ↑ CGS Section 10a-6, http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_185b.htm#sec_10a-6. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  4. ↑ Connecticut Public Act 13-62. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/act/pa/pdf/2013PA-00062-R00SB-00867-PA.pdf. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Malloy Appoints Six Members To Board of Regents For Higher Education, Hartford Courant, July 21, 2011". articles.courant.com. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  6. ↑ "Donofrio Steps Down As Regents Chair; Fleury To Replace Him, Hartford Courant, June 30, 2016" . Retrieved 2018-05-11.
  7. ↑ "Lamont Appoints Joann Ryan as Chair of Board of Regents, Press Release, Office of the Governor, July 1, 2022" . Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  8. ↑ CGS Section 10a-1b. http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_185.htm#sec_10a-1b. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Meotti Appointed Interim President Of Board Of Regents, Hartford Courant, Jul. 1, 2011". articles.courant.com. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  10. ↑ "Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, Sept. 12, 2011". ct.edu. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  11. ↑ "Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, Oct. 12, 2012". ct.edu. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  12. ↑ "Board Votes to Appoint Dr. Gregory W. Gray as New President, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, May 16, 2015". ct.edu. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  13. ↑ "Mark Ojakian, Governor's Chief Of Staff, Appointed Interim CSCU President, Hartford Courant, Aug. 21, 2015". courant.com. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  14. ↑ "Board of Regents Appoints Dr. Jane Gates as Interim CSCU President, Nov. 19, 2020". ct.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  15. ↑ "New President of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Named".
  16. ↑ "As professor racks up convictions, CSCU unable to consider them in employment decisions", by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, The Connecticut Mirror , December 16, 2015, https://ctmirror.org/2015/12/16/as-professor-racks-up-convictions-cscu-unable-to-consider-them-in-employment-decisions/
  17. ↑ "CCSU Suspends Professor Ravi Shankar; Senator Says Fire Him" by David Moran, Hartford Courant , August 7, 2015 http://www.courant.com/breaking-news/hc-connecticut-senator-wants-ccsu-to-fire-ravi-shankar-0808-2-20150807-story.html
  18. ↑ "Students First", Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, October 19, 2017, http://www.ct.edu/studentsfirst
  19. ↑ Letter to Mark E. Ojakian from David P. Angel, April 24, 2018, http://www.ct.edu/files/pdfs/NEASC_Response_4242018.pdf
  20. ↑ "NECHE Substantive Change Acceptance" (PDF). March 21, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Public Statement on Connecticut State Community College" (PDF). June 19, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.