Board discusses AI Institute proposal, votes to enter executive session

The Public Universities Board of Trustees voted to enter executive session to discuss a proposal for an AI Institute, board Chair Dan Toscano said, citing Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b)(1).

The discussion mattered because trustees who spoke described the AI proposal as a large, potentially transformative investment that will require more due diligence and public review before any final vote.

Board members first completed a roll call and then moved to go into executive session. After an initial motion and second, one trustee said they would vote no, citing concerns about the "letter and spirit of FOI" when deliberations in private could shape eventual votes. Legal counsel responded that the board had a permissible basis for executive session but reminded trustees that any votes must be taken in public session.

"We do have a basis to go into executive session upon the requisite votes," counsel Nicole Gilston said during the meeting, adding that "any votes, obviously, taken will need to be taken once you come out of executive session in public session." The motion to move into executive session carried after trustees called the vote in open session.

Chair Dan Toscano and others emphasized that the board intends to continue public discussion and complete further homework before taking a final vote on the AI proposal. "This is a very big proposition undertaking," Toscano said, calling the work "potentially existential to the future of higher ed and higher ed at UConn." He thanked the leadership team and staff and said trustees were aligned on continuing deliberations and receiving additional information before a final decision.

President Marrick, who closed the public portion of the meeting, reiterated the board-level caution and the need for due diligence. "We have a lot of feedback from faculty ... about the importance of AI and what AI means for the future university," Marrick said, and noted the board will continue discussions and return with further materials.

No members of the public had registered to speak. Trustees noted they would notify university senate representatives when the board was about to reconvene from executive session and that any final decision would be announced in open session at a later time.

The board also confirmed upcoming meeting dates, including a meeting on Jan. 29 and a later in-person meeting in February.

The formal motion recorded at the meeting was to go into executive session pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b)(1). The board carried the motion after the roll-call vote; one trustee stated they would oppose proceeding to executive session but the chair said the motion carried.