Dr. Tricia M. Bailey testifies before nominations committee on UConn Board nomination; committee moves nomination, vote left open

Dr. Tricia M. Bailey, a University of Connecticut alumna and Florida-based entrepreneur, appeared April 10 before the General Assembly's Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee to answer questions about her nomination to the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees. Committee members moved the House resolution to advance her nomination; the committee kept the formal vote open until 4 p.m.

Bailey, introduced by committee leadership at the public hearing, described her background in health care and business and told the committee she oversees a group of companies she said employ about 5,000 people and generate revenues in "hundreds of millions." She said her priorities, if confirmed, would include addressing student housing constraints that she and legislators identified as limiting the university's ability to admit more Connecticut students.

Why it matters: The University of Connecticut is the state's flagship public university and admissions, housing and athletics affect enrollment patterns, state higher-education policy and local communities around campus. The committee's action advances the nomination to a House vote, but the committee left the roll call open, so no final committee tally was announced at the hearing.

Bailey said she is founder and CEO of Bailey's Medical Equipment and Supplies and Bailey's Pharmacy and that she oversees 16 companies. She told the committee she is a member of the UConn Foundation board and a UConn alumna (class of 1999). In her prepared and spoken remarks, Bailey outlined a personal story of illness and recovery, saying that in February 2008 she spent eight days in a coma and that experience shaped her interest in public service and mentoring.

During questioning, committee members focused on three recurring themes.

Housing and enrollment: Several legislators — including the committee co-chairs and members who represent Hartford-area and Storrs-area interests — pressed Bailey on student housing as a constraint on enrollment. Bailey said increasing on- and off-campus housing through partnerships with developers, selective on-campus assignments (for example, prioritizing first-year and disabled students) and rehabilitating existing facilities could increase capacity and allow UConn to admit more students.

Athletics and financing: Multiple members raised UConn athletics' growing profile and its financial impact. Bailey, a former student-athlete, said she views the success of athletic programs as a driver that draws applicants and revenue, and said she supports using athletic and other revenue streams to expand scholarships and university programs. She told the committee she is not an expert on NIL rules but supports student-athletes' ability to be compensated and said she would study those issues more fully as a trustee.

Promotion of regional campuses and student retention: Members asked how the university could better promote satellite campuses in Stamford, Hartford and Waterbury and retain graduates in Connecticut. Bailey said promoting alumni success stories and connecting graduates to job opportunities can help increase in-state retention.

Committee action and procedural notes: At the committee meeting's business portion, the chair moved the House resolution to advance Dr. Bailey's nomination; Representative Godfrey seconded the motion. During the roll call at the committee table several members answered "yes" on the record; one member recorded a "no" vote during later phone-in voting. Committee leadership announced the vote would remain open until 4 p.m. and did not declare a final committee outcome at the hearing.

Quotes: "The University of Connecticut is an outstanding institution of higher education," Bailey told the committee. "As a proud alumna of UConn, class of 1999, and a nominee to the Board of Trustees, I come before you truly honored." Representative members commended her record of philanthropy and entrepreneurship and asked follow-up questions about housing and resource allocation.

What was not decided: The committee advanced the nomination to a roll call but left the vote open; the hearing record shows multiple recorded "yes" responses and at least one recorded "no" in subsequent phone voting, but the committee did not announce a final, closed tally before recessing the hearing.

Next steps: The committee kept the roll call open until 4 p.m. on April 10 as the body completed additional remote votes. Any final committee report or subsequent floor action will be reflected in the General Assembly's official records.

Additional context: In her remarks Bailey said she currently lives in Florida and intends to spend more time in Connecticut, including plans to buy a house so she can attend UConn board business in person. She noted prior service on the UConn Foundation board but said she has not yet served on the Board of Trustees. Bailey also referenced mentoring, scholarship work and support for UConn athletics as part of her service to the university.

Votes at the hearing: The committee moved the House resolution to advance the nomination (moved by the chair; seconded by Representative Godfrey). The roll call remained open at the close of the hearing and the committee did not announce a final committee disposition at that time.