Philip Austin, the interim president of the state’s largest public college system, has a lesson for those who are upset with the governor’s plan to pump billions into the state’s flagship university while cutting the funding to the other public colleges.
“If someone gets a huge windfall, then others are going to get more two years later. That’s just reality,” Austin told legislators on the Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee this week.
Austin’s confidence stems from his experience as the former president of the University of Connecticut. He also has taught higher education administration courses at UConn for several years.
On Friday, Austin’s prediction moved closer to coming true.
“More [funding] is coming,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told Austin, who was sitting next to him during a meeting with educators at the State Capitol.
Not surprised, Austin patted the governor on the back and gave him a smile and nod.