Latest news with #ConnecticutBoardofRegentsforHigherEducation
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CT State Colleges and Universities chief out after spending scandal
The embattled leader of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system will be removed from his position beginning July 1, according to a release from CSCU. CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng, whose lavish spending, out-of-state home and high salary have drawn scrutiny, will transition to a new role as strategic advisor to the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, according to the statement attributed to the board. The statement says that Cheng's contract, which is scheduled to end June 30, 2026, will not be renewed. 'I thank Chancellor Cheng for his hard work, partnership, and dedication to the system,' said Marty Guay, chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. 'The future is bright for CSCU as we look to set a new direction for the system. 'We have a real opportunity to make impactful investments in our system in the best interests of the students we serve and the state as a whole. We will continue to create more opportunities and access for students, boost graduation rates, and strengthen our talent pipelines to ensure they are aligned with industry needs and meet workforce demands. These efforts will ensure our students are set up for success in their careers and beyond,' Guay said in the statement. CSCU, which includes both Connecticut's 12 community colleges and its four state universities, saw an increase in enrollment under Cheng, who assumed the role in July of 2021: 4.4% for fall 2024 and a 6.2% increase for spring 2025, according to CSCU. Cheng oversaw the consolidation of the previously independent community colleges into a single multi-campus institution and oversaw efforts to ease enrollment access for transfer students and Connecticut high school students. During his tenure, CSCU also created partnerships with key industries and community organizations to benefit workforce development and opened multiple new health care and manufacturing sites across the state. 'It has been a true honor to serve as Chancellor of the CSCU system and its 65,000 students. I am incredibly proud of the work we have done to eliminate barriers to higher education, and increase educational access, equity, and opportunity for students, particularly for first-generation and minoritized students. Together, we have opened new doors for students and changed the trajectory of their lives,' Cheng said. 'I remain deeply committed to this work and will continue to work with the Board of Regents and build on the success of the CSCU system.' The news follows sharp criticism from elected officials and calls for his firing from Republicans after he was shown to have abused a state credit card. An audit by the state comptroller, requested by Gov. Ned Lamont, of expenses and credit card use by leadership at Connecticut State Colleges and Universities revealed a 'systemic problem,' the state's comptroller said, citing misspending of thousands of dollars on food, entertainment and transportation by nearly all the campus presidents. The audit was prompted by a December 2024 CT Insider report on Cheng's spending that found records of expensive meals including $60 steaks, $490 chauffeured rides and more. Cheng was also given more than $21,000 to relocate from New York to Connecticut but reportedly never made the move. When the spending report was released, Republican leaders called for Cheng's immediate termination. Republican minority leaders Sen. Stephen Harding and Rep. Vincent J. Candelora said 'Make no mistake—this is a black eye for the State of Connecticut. While we appreciate Comptroller Scanlon's proposals to address spending abuses and procedural failures within the CSCU system, restoring public trust demands bold and decisive action. That begins with terminating the employment of CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng. His continued leadership over a system in clear disarray undermines efforts to restore stability and confidence among students, parents, staff, and taxpayers alike.' On Monday, Candelora with Rep. Seth Bronko, House ranking member of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, called for stronger oversight. 'Given the well-deserved controversy over Terrence Cheng's flagrant — if not infamous — spending abuses, and the systemwide revolt by staff against his leadership, his departure as chancellor is long overdue. Public trust has been shattered, and a change was needed so the system can begin to rebuild. Unfortunately, students, parents, and taxpayers won't be able to move on so easily, as Mr. Cheng will remain on the payroll as a 'strategic advisor' for the final year of his contract. Going forward, the Board of Regents must ensure that contracts for this position prioritize the interests of the state — and that far stronger oversight is finally put in place.' Republicans Sen. Henri Martin, Sen. Rob Sampson and Harding said it was not enough to remove Cheng from his position and continue paying him through 2026. 'So, he still will have a $442,187 a year state-taxpayer funded job, just with a different job title? Do we have that correct? Unbelievable. Chancellor Cheng should have resigned long ago. Republicans demanded that he do so. Gov. Lamont should have demanded that resignation. 'Instead, Gov. Lamont shrugged. … Instead, Gov. Lamont has kept Chancellor Cheng on the state payroll making nearly half a million dollars. In doing so, Gov. Lamont continues to minimize the culture of ethical lapses, scandals and mismanagement in his administration as mere 'small ball,'' they said in a statement. When brought before legislators at the state Capitol, Cheng apologized and later moved to change system spending policies. 'I acknowledge that my actions have raised serious concerns about financial oversight and transparency,' Cheng told lawmakers at a special forum to review the spending. 'For this, I take personal responsibility, and I am extremely, extremely sorry. I also want to apologize to members of the General Assembly, who have consistently supported our system and our students. … For my part in this, I do sincerely apologize. … I recognize that trust is not just given. It has to be earned through action, and it cannot be earned simply through words.' Democratic Reps. Derek Slapp and Gregg Haddad noted the system's importance in the state. 'We understand and appreciate the Board of Regents' decision,' Slapp and Haddad said. 'As they look for a new leader, we believe strongly that it is important to prioritize student outcomes, meet the needs of a rapidly changing workforce, and act as good stewards of state resources. The system needs stability and the stakes are high. Higher Education is the largest economic engine in Connecticut, so our economy and future of many students will be impacted by whoever the Board chooses as the next leader.' Cheng was appointed as chancellor by the Board of Regents in May 2021. He had previously served as campus director of the University of Connecticut Stamford, a role to which he was appointed in 2016. He also served as a member of the English department faculty there. He is also the author of two Chinese historical novels, Sons of Heaven (2002) and Deep in the Mountains (2007). Plans to replace Cheng have not been announced. Courant reporter Christopher Keating contributed to this report.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CSCU chancellor will transition into new role, Board of Regents says
The video above aired in December of 2024, when Comptroller Sean Scanlon released an independent audit of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) System. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The chancellor of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will be stepping away from his role soon, according to the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education. Officials said the board and Chancellor Terrence Cheng have mutually agreed not to extend his contact beyond its current end date of June 30, 2026. Connecticut comptroller's college system audit reveals 'systematic' misuse of state funds Starting on July 1, 2025, they said Cheng will also transition into a new role as strategic advisory to the board. An interim chancellor is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. 'I am incredibly proud of the work we have done to eliminate barriers to higher education, and increase educational access, equity, and opportunity for students, particularly for first-generation and minoritized students. Together, we have opened new doors for students and changed the trajectory of their lives,' Cheng said in a statement. The chair of the board thanked Cheng for his work, while looking forward to taking the system in 'a new direction.' Connecticut state colleges see increase in student enrollment 'I thank Chancellor Cheng for his hard work, partnership, and dedication to the system,' Chair of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education Marty Guay said. 'The future is bright for CSCU as we look to set a new direction for the system.' Cheng's term as chancellor was the subject of last year's independent audit of the college system, which found a systematic misuse of taxpayers funds. Comptroller Sean Scanlon released the audit in December, at request of Governor Ned Lamont, who said in late October reports of 'controversial spending decisions' raised concerns. The office was provided over 780,000 transactions from July 1, 2021, to the end of October 2024, which was purposefully chosen to line up with Cheng's term. Scanlon said the audit found bills for expensive meals, delivery services, room service, dry cleaning, tickets to events unrelated to schools, Eversource and cell phone bills for students without clear adherence to a policy. Cheng's P-Card expenses stood out in the report, which found the chancellor spent $19,000 on food over the three year period, and many of the meals violated state policy. Since the report came out, Senate and House GOP members have called for Cheng's removal. 'Chancellor Cheng should have resigned long ago. Republicans demanded that he do so. Gov. Lamont should have demanded that resignation,' Sen. Henri Martin, Sen. Rob Sampson and Sen. Stephen Harding said in a statement released Monday. House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora and State Rep. Seth Bronko shared the following statement: 'Given the well-deserved controversy over Terrence Cheng's flagrant — if not infamous — spending abuses, and the systemwide revolt by staff against his leadership, his departure as chancellor is long overdue. Public trust has been shattered, and a change was needed so the system can begin to rebuild. Unfortunately, students, parents, and taxpayers won't be able to move on so easily, as Mr. Cheng will remain on the payroll as a 'strategic advisor' for the final year of his contract. Going forward, the Board of Regents must ensure that contracts for this position prioritize the interests of the state — and that far stronger oversight is finally put in place.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CSCU to launch new P-Card policy after audit revealed systematic misuse of funds
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — In the latest effort to bring more transparency and accountability to the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, a board has approved a new system-wide policy for purchasing cards, also known as P-Cards. In an announcement made Thursday, officials with CSCU said the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education approved the new policy. Connecticut comptroller's college system audit reveals 'systematic' misuse of state funds Going into effect on April 1, the policy will establish clear guidelines for the use of P-Cards and appropriate use of institutional funds. This change was one of nearly a dozen proposed by Comptroller Sean Scanlon in December, when his office released an audit of CSCU that showed a systematic misuse of taxpayers' funds. In a statement released Thursday, Scanlon said the new P-Cards policy includes many of the recommendations proposed in his office's report- including standardized spending limits, improvements to recordkeeping, and restoring internal audits and controls. Connecticut state colleges see increase in student enrollment 'I applaud the Board of Regents, CSCU leadership, and staff who worked together in crafting this. The Office of the State Comptroller stands ready to support the implementation of this plan to restore trust for the taxpayers and, especially, CSCU faculty and students,' Scanlon said. The policy included spending limits, items prohibited from purchase, digital record-keeping, and a reduction of the number of P-cards. The CSCU system office is also working on a new system-wide policy for travel and has created a Policy Committee that will review, revise, recommend, and implement the Board of Regents' adopted system-wide policies to ensure consistency and compliance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
