More Changes Proposed as Enrollment Drops at State Colleges, Universities; Feedback Sought on Consolidation Plan
/The recent decision by the Board of Regents of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) to begin offering students from New York and New Jersey the considerably lower in-state tuition rates in an effort to stem an increasing drop in enrollment at Western Connecticut State University may be the tip of the iceberg.
Since 2011, enrollment numbers at higher education institutions in Connecticut have been moving in very different directions, according to data developed by the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) from the National Center for Education Statistics.
The data show that the state’s community college system has experienced a net loss of 7,126 students, and the state’s four regional universities – Western, Central, Southern and Eastern Connecticut – saw a net loss of 3,518 students between 2011 and 2016.
Trending in the opposite direction has been the University of Connecticut, with a net increase of 1,502 students, and the independent, non-profit institutions, was an increase of 4,626 students.
CCIC member institutions include Albertus Magnus College, Connecticut College, Fairfield University, Goodwin College, Mitchell College, Quinnipiac University, Rensselaer at Hartford, Sacred Heart University, St. Vincent's College, Trinity College, University of Bridgeport, University of Hartford, University of New Haven, University of Saint Joseph, Wesleyan University and Yale University.
Currently, in-state students pay $10,418 in annual tuition at Western, while out-of-state students pay $23,107. Published reports indicate that enrollment at the university has dropped by more than 700 students over the past six years. The university serves about 5,700 students, with more than 90 percent of them coming from Connecticut.
Similar initiatives at the other three colleges are less likely, as they are located in Willimantic, new Haven and New Britain, not adjacent to any state line. Central Connecticut State University is the largest of four universities within the CSCU system, serving nearly 11,800 students--9,800 undergraduates, and 2,000 graduate students.
Last year, in a program that was promoted with radio advertising, the CSCU board approved a plan that permitted Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield to admit students from Massachusetts to enroll at in-state rates. And last spring, the board allowed six other community colleges located near state borders to do the same starting this fall. The plan boosted enrollment at Asnuntuck; data on the other colleges is not yet available. 
Earlier this year, the CSCU system proposed merging the 12 community colleges into one college with 12 branch campuses, as a cost-saving measure, and, officials say, to direct more resources to students. That plan is pending. If approved, the change would make the newly named Connecticut Community College the fifth largest in the country with more than 52,000 students, reports indicate. Officials indicate that "Only a few of these recommendations will require policy changes by the Board of Regents. The majority of the administrative recommendations can be implemented as soon as time and resources are available to complete."
Currently, the system is soliciting feedback on the proposal with an on-line poll on the CSCU website. The survey asks respondents to offer opinions on the plans, as well as suggestions and opinions on strengths of the 12 into 1 plan. The survey is open until Nov. 20.
The 21 honorees were selected by economic development officials in each of 10 regions across Connecticut for their contribution to the state’s economy – such as consistent or growing employment levels, playing a critical role in changing the character of its community or civic engagement, strong public/private collaboration to encourage new investment, or leadership resulting in growth or improvements.
Sitrep, based in Cheshire, was founded in 2014 to “develop monitoring systems that are intuitively usable.” Principals are Harland Christofferson, Gary Martin and Michael Byrne.
The mission of Stratford-based FallCall Solutions, LLC is “to become the premier innovator in simplified communication solutions for the geriatric population and their caregivers.” The company website explains that the company aims to maximize elder independence and caregiver peace of mind by “building software based solely on the needs of the consumer rather than the trying to create and introduce new ecosystems into our customers’ lives.”
“It’s a scene repeating itself in dying suburban malls around the country,” the Globe reported, “a sweeping economic disruption known as the Amazon effect.” Industry analysts have predicted that 20 percent of the 1,200 shopping malls in the U.S. will “meet their demise,” the Globe indicated.
Knowledge Corridor, Enfield provides quick and easy access to several US Highways, airports and rail systems," the 12-page Enfield proposal explained. "Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts are being created in Enfield and surrounding towns to support new development and growth. Abatements and Regional Revenue Sharing are all available to sweeten the deal. Connecticut has the lowest corporate tax rate in the North East."
Pieratti, who teaches English at South Windsor High School, relocated to Connecticut from upstate New York five years ago. She said “I have been nurtured by this state since I moved here,” and expressed appreciation to her colleagues in South Windsor. She has taught at the college and high school level, and was recipient of the Idaho prize for Poetry in 2015. Her 
In Connecticut, individuals earning more than $200,000 gave 66.4 percent of all Connecticut giving, down 1.7 percent from 2012, according to the Chronicle analysis. The portion of all givers in this income bracket in Connecticut down 0.2 percent while the giving per itemizer is down 20.6 percent. In looking at the state’s major metropolitan areas, greater Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven, the analysis round that giving rates for taxpayers at four income levels fell below the average for the size group in each of the metropolitan areas.
Among the panelists will be former Senate President Pro Tempore Don Williams, former House Speaker James Amann, former Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, and former House Minority leader Lawrence Cafero. They will be joined by former House member Tim O’Brien, who served on the Government Administration and elections Committee, and Senate Co-Chair of that committee, Sen. Michael McLachlan.
A week ago, in an op-ed 
Flynn added that the law, passed in 2005, “allows candidates and officeholders to look out for the interests of all their constituents rather than being consumed with the needs of their major campaign contributors. It gives talented, motivated citizens who've never had the money or the connections traditionally required for success in politics a chance to seek and win public office with neither big money nor connections. Now, nearly 80 percent of all candidates for legislative and state offices use the program.” Qualifying candidates must raise $5,000 to $250,000 — depending whether they are seeking a statewide office or legislative seat — in $100 increments or less in order to receive a grant of public funds from the CEP.
