WASHINGTON – President Obama is expected to roll out an ambitious agenda in his State of the Union speech that could increase the distance between the White House and Republicans in Congress. Connecticut’s lawmakers, however, will use the occasion to show support for that agenda – and promote their own.
Higher Education
Posted inEducation
Legislators concerned by UConn president’s raise
Leaders of the legislature’s Higher Education Committee have concerns with the sizable pay boost the president of the state’s flagship public university will receive over the next four years.
Posted inEducation
Herbst gets a big raise and three added years as UConn president
The governing board of the University of Connecticut voted to extend the contract of Susan Herbst as president Monday and give her a raise that would bring her annual compensation to $831,070 by 2019.
Posted inEducation
Lawmakers concerned over CSCU administrative costs
Top state legislators are concerned about how much officials of the state’s largest public college system are spending on administrative costs. (Photo: CSCU President Gregory Gray answers legislators’ questions.)
Posted inCT Viewpoints
We can overcome the income inequality at our doorstep
Given the right inspiration and leadership, today’s college students will understand the enormous chasm between Connecticut’s wealthiest and poorest residents, and do something to narrow it.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Stop the ‘slow wreck’ of the Connecticut college system
Dear Gov. Malloy, I am a senior at Southern Connecticut State University and during my time at SCSU have experienced positives and negatives. The constant positive is that the students here and at the other state universities and community colleges continue to enjoy the college experience. We study hard, socialize with classmates, attend events, and […]
Posted inEducation
Provost’s final emails show no friction with CSCU president
If there was friction between the Gregorgy Gray and Michael Gargano during Gargano’s last two weeks on the job, it didn’t play out in emails between the top two officials of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
UConn needs to demand ‘respect’ among students, not ‘civility’
In reaction to a recent incident of fraternity hate speech, University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst has called for “civility” in the community. But civility is no substitute for taking a hard look at fraternity culture and developing plans to address its failings.
Posted inEducation
Separation agreement provides nearly $70K for CSCU provost who resigned
Michael Gargano, provost for the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, who resigned abruptly last month from his $224,554-a-year job, will be paid by the public college system through February, according to a separation agreement dated Nov. 14. News of the agreement comes after a spokesman for the system repeatedly told The Connecticut Mirror over the last three weeks that he was “not aware” of a separation agreement. (Photo: Former Provost Michael Gargano)
Posted inEducation
CSCU leader says balking faculty will eventually praise transformation plan
Gregory Gray was taken aback when faculty members of the Connecticut State College and University system rejected his “road map” for transforming the sprawling network of campuses. In a recent interview, however, he said they will come to like and accept the plan as they learn more about it and participate more in shaping the final version.
Posted inEducation, Money, Politics
Malloy may run afoul of his pledges whether taxing or cutting
Governor Dannel P. Malloy faces plenty of critics who argue he can’t balance the next state budget without breaking his campaign pledge not to raise taxes. But Malloy will be equally hard pressed to close next year’s $1.3 billion-to-$1.4 billion deficit with spending cuts, given the many pledges and fiscal principles he has espoused since taking office four years ago.
Posted inEducation
Faculty and university president call a truce
Faculty and union leaders said Friday they have reached a temporary truce with the president of the state’s largest public college system. Angst among professors at the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system had grown in recent weeks after President Gregory W. Gray released “roadmaps” for changes he was considering making at the schools.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money
Malloy’s emergency budget cuts fall on social services, education
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered nearly $48 million in emergency budget cuts Thursday, imposing the deepest cuts on social services, education and culture and tourism promotion. The cuts, which do not require legislative approval, whittle the nearly $100 million deficit Malloy projected last week down to $45 million.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Budget chief: Some tax cuts may have to wait; CT colleges likely to face cuts
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget director acknowledged Monday there’s little likelihood all of the tax relief promised on the campaign trail can be provided in the next state budget, which faces a major deficit projection. And while the governor promised new tax relief for college graduates struggling with student loan debt, budget director Benjamin Barnes said Connecticut’s public colleges and universities probably won’t be spared emergency budget cuts due out this week.
Posted inEducation
Faculty decry provost’s departure, president’s plan for CSCU’s future
Faculty leaders representing the state’s four regional state universities and 12 community colleges Friday decried the sudden departure of Provost Michael Gargano and formally condemned Board of Regents President Gregory Gray’s plans for the future of the colleges.
