A plan to consolidate the management of four Connecticut state universities and its 12 community colleges has won a spot in the budget deal between Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the legislature’s Democratic majority, The Associated Press reports.
The proposal creates a board of regents to oversee the two-year community colleges, Charter Oak State College and the four-year Central, Southern, Eastern and Western Connecticut state universities.
Almost 94,000 students attend the schools.
Malloy and his plan’s supporters say it would save about $4.3 million annually by eliminating duplication among the schools’ governing boards. They say that will let Connecticut spend less on administration and more on education initiatives that directly affect students.
Dozens of students and administrators — particularly those involved with the community colleges — recently testified at the Capitol to oppose the plan, saying they worry the two-year schools might be placed second to the four-year universities.
