“Stability of our public university system is essential,” Interim Chancellor Natalie Braswell told reporters. As a former student herself, Braswell’s call for a trustworthy, credible CSCU resonates with a coalition of student leaders who have drafted a detailed reform agenda.
Audit the System Office
Since the 2011 consolidation, the CSCU System Office has expanded from a single‑floor operation to a bureaucracy that now costs more than the entire Charter Oak State College. Recent internal audits have raised questions about a 1998 centralization effort that remains unfinished and about millions of dollars in mishandled assets. Student leaders argue that a legislative audit is needed to verify whether the office truly delivers efficiencies or merely adds waste.
Re‑examine the Chancellor Contract
The contract of former Chancellor Terrence Cheng included a state‑funded housing allowance that went unused, leading to costly chauffeured rides charged to his P‑Card, as well as a controversial “Professor Retreat Rights” clause guaranteeing a tenured position at Western after his resignation. With a $442,187 salary on the table, students ask the Board of Regents to consider a residency requirement and to ensure any future contract aligns with the system’s mission and fiscal responsibility.
Continue the Investigation Into Zulma Toro
The Grand River Report recommended that Title IX complaints not be dismissed simply because a respondent leaves the system. Although former President Zulma Toro’s departure was not tied to a Title IX case, student leaders contend the same principle applies: investigations should proceed regardless of resignation to protect victims and uphold truth. They warn that settlement agreements that halt investigations set a dangerous precedent.
Establish Impeachment Protocols
Recent resignations of former chancellors and board leaders have highlighted the need for a clear, enforceable process to remove officials who fail in their duties. While motions of no confidence carry moral weight, they lack binding authority. The students propose that the Board of Regents, in coordination with the state legislature, draft impeachment procedures applicable to both chancellors and regents.
Pause the Chancellor Search Until Reforms Take Hold
With nine priority reforms already underway, student leaders argue that the chancellor search should be temporarily halted. They note that the previous search chair, Juanita James, has resigned, and that rushing a new appointment could undermine the stability the Board seeks to achieve. Interim Chancellor Braswell, they say, should continue to steer the system until the reforms are firmly in place.
These proposals reflect a broader desire among Connecticut’s student body to see a transparent, accountable, and financially responsible public university system. By urging the Board of Regents and state legislators to act swiftly, the students hope to restore confidence for current and future scholars.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
