Mark Ojakian, the chief of staff to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy since the second year of the Malloy administration, is stepping down later this year. But he may not be entirely departing: A source close to the governor said Ojakian will remain “a close adviser.” His name already has surfaced for an interim post in higher education.
Board of Regents for Higher Education
Posted inEducation
CSCU travels bumpy road to smooth a path for student transfers
Three years after state legislators ordered the state’s largest public college system to set up a way for community college students to transfer to a regional Connecticut state university without losing credits, higher education officials report they can see the finish line.
Posted inEducation, Money, Politics
Behind The Numbers Podcast – Episode 6: Charter schools, state aid and UConn in a lean budget
Connecticut Mirror budget reporter Keith M. Phaneuf and education reporter Jacqueline Rabe Thomas discuss the new $40.3 billion, two-year state budget legislators sent to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, and its impact on every level of education from preschool to colleges and universities.
Posted inEducation
CSCU seeking to streamline management structure
The Board of Regents is looking to private consultants to evaluate the duties of 296 Connecticut State College and University system employees in an effort to steamline job classifications.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Frustrated by spending priorities at Three Rivers Community College
The students of Three Rivers Community College are frustrated with the way money is being spent at our school, while we, the students, continue to lack support for our community outreach projects that not only better our own educations, but support the school’s efforts to be an example of good stewardship, sustainability, and to benefit our community.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut two steps closer to educational equity
On May 19, the Connecticut legislature took two important strides in an attempt to achieve educational equity. On that day the Senate passed bill SB 398 and the House passed HB 6844. If these bills pass and are signed by Gov. Dannel Malloy, it would continue to pave the pathway toward educational equity of two disenfranchised groups in Connecticut—undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Hey, CSCU Board of Regents: Enough is enough!
The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education needs to take heed: Students at Manchester Community College and many other Connecticut State Colleges and Universities are livid at how their tuition has increased and critically important programs, many of which are required to graduate, are being cut.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
What if the embattled CSCU got another chance?
Some would argue that the CSCU system has already exhausted a first and second chance to overcome the mistakes it made since its formation four years ago. But what if the CSCU System was given a fresh start, with new leadership? Would its governing officials learn and not repeat the past mistakes?
Posted inEducation, Politics
Malloy’s first veto protects Board of Regents’ authority
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s first veto of the 2015 session preserves the authority of the Board of Regents for Higher Education to make decisions about closing college campuses.
Posted inEducation, Politics
House votes to strip Gray of power to close campus
In a clear show of displeasure with the leader of the state’s system of community colleges and regional state universities, the state House of Representatives voted 86 to 56 Tuesday to block the system from closing a campus without legislative approval.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Right fervor, wrong focus. More than Meriden campus at stake
The potential closing of Middlesex Community College’s Meriden Center is terrible news. Nevertheless, there is one very good thing that has come from the decision to close the campus: attention. Ultimately, the conversation that needs to happen is not about the Meriden Center; rather, it is about the necessity — and obligation — to properly manage and adequately fund Connecticut’s state colleges and universities.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Senate moves to rebuke Gray, stop Meriden campus closure
The Senate moved swiftly Wednesday to stop a surprise plan to close a community college satellite campus in a district represented by the co-chair of the legislature’s committee on higher education. On a unanimous vote, the Senate stripped administrators of the right to close any campus without legislative approval.
Posted inEducation
CSCU leader asks for contract concessions; faculty unions balk
Updated at 3:39 p.m.
With plans to cut spending by $22 million, the president of the state’s largest public college system is asking union leaders for concessions. But the presidents of the two largest unions representing employees at the community colleges and Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Connecticut state universities say they aren’t interested.
Posted inEducation
Tuition increases approved to help cover CSCU system’s growing budget
Enrolling in Connecticut’s public community colleges and regional state universities will be getting more expensive, and students are concerned. The Board of Regents for Higher Education voted Thursday to increase tuition and fees next school year by 4.8 to 5.3 percent, and is also considering staff reductions and layoffs.
Posted inEducation
CSCU officials recommend students pay 4.8 to 5.3 percent more
Officials of the state’s largest public college system have recommended to its governing board that community college students be charged between 4.8 and 5.3 percent more in tuition and fees next school year. They also recommend charging students attending the four regional Connecticut State Universities 4.8 percent more.