The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) Board of Regents is set to meet Thursday at 10 a.m. in New Haven to vote on a package of reforms prompted by an outside investigation that found an “overall failure” in handling sexual harassment complaints.
Key proposals on the agenda
The board will consider several measures recommended by Grand River Solutions, the firm hired to review the system’s response to complaints against former interim chancellor John Maduko. Maduko denied the allegations but resigned in April.
Among the proposals are:
- New policies that clarify Title IX rules for all campuses and explicitly state that regents themselves are subject to those rules.
- Designation of regents as mandatory reporters, ensuring that any knowledge of harassment is promptly forwarded to authorities.
- Creation of an online dashboard that will track the implementation of each recommendation, giving students, faculty and the public real‑time visibility into progress.
Leadership backs swift action
Interim Chancellor Natalie Braswell emphasized the urgency of the vote, saying, “This chaos breeds opportunity for change. What has been highlighted for us are cracks in the system.” She added that the board’s quick response is essential to restoring confidence in the CSCU system.
Braswell also warned that the board should not rush a permanent chancellor search while the system is still being stabilized. “Maybe the time is better spent making sure that the system is stabilized through governance structures, through finances, through the programs,” she said.
Student voices and accountability
Student leaders have been vocal in calling for tighter rules and greater accountability. Eastern Connecticut State University Student Government President Mathew Biadun said, “Focusing on that immediately, it might be the easier, simpler thing to do, but that doesn’t make it less important.” He and other members of a student advisory committee have asked the board to pause the search for a permanent chancellor until the report’s recommendations are fully addressed.
The board has been searching for a permanent chancellor since Terrence Cheng resigned in 2025 after criticism over his use of a purchase card. Central Connecticut State University also faces a leadership transition after President Zulma Toro resigned in late September amid a bullying investigation; Kimberly Kostellis was appointed interim president on Thursday.
Why these reforms matter
By clarifying Title IX obligations and making the board itself a mandatory reporter, the CSCU system aims to protect students and staff from harassment while reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law. The proposed dashboard will provide transparency, a cornerstone of good governance that aligns with the values of family, faith and individual liberty cherished by Connecticut communities.
Critics have warned that the changes may not go far enough, but the board’s willingness to act quickly demonstrates a commitment to fixing the identified shortcomings. As Braswell noted, a well‑structured, transparent system will attract stronger leadership candidates and restore trust among families and faith‑based groups who rely on higher education to uphold moral standards.
Next steps
If the board approves the measures, the new policies will take effect immediately, and the dashboard will be launched within weeks. The board will then reconvene to discuss the timeline for selecting a permanent chancellor, with the expectation that a more stable governance environment will yield better candidates.
Connecticut residents who are parents, students or alumni are encouraged to monitor the dashboard once it goes live and to stay engaged with their local representatives to ensure the reforms are fully implemented.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
