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CSCU leaders tell bonding panel $479 million authorized but unallocated; urge action on health, safety and deferred maintenance
Summary
The chancellor of Connecticut State Colleges & Universities told the subcommittee there are hundreds of millions in authorized but unallocated capital authorizations, and emphasized urgent needs at Naugatuck Valley, community colleges and CSU facilities.
The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system told the Bonding Subcommittee it faces critical capital shortfalls that are hurting students and programs across the state.
CSCU Chancellor Terrence Chang said the system currently has roughly $479 million in authorized but unallocated bond authorizations and urged the subcommittee to help move authorizations to allocations so projects can proceed. He said many projects are health‑and‑safety priorities and that deferment of major renovations forces system operating funds to cover temporary or emergency fixes.
Why it matters: CSCU enrolls roughly 85,000 students across Connecticut’s community colleges, 4 state universities and Charter Oak State College, and the chancellor said more than 80% of CSCU graduates stay and work in Connecticut. Regents and institutional leaders told legislators that deteriorating facilities undermine recruitment, retention and workforce training programs the state depends upon.
Key testimony and examples - The chancellor said the system has more than $479 million in authorizations that are unallocated, with major priorities including health‑and‑safety projects, HVAC and roof replacements, elevators that do not accommodate wheelchairs, and building envelope repairs. - Naugatuck Valley Community College was singled out repeatedly by legislators and the chancellor as an example of a campus with long‑standing deferred needs including elevators too small for wheelchairs and a failing roof that has been patched for years. The chancellor said funds have been authorized but not allocated; the system is prepared to move projects once allocations arrive. - CSCU said it can handle between roughly $200 million and $250 million in construction work per year, based on its current staffing and facilities management capacity. Projects over $3 million are administered through the Department of Administrative Services. - The system said it is prioritizing STEM, health care and workforce projects — such as automotive training, allied‑health facilities and allied lab renovations — because these programs directly feed Connecticut employers. - Representatives of CSCU said they have used some operational and temporary funds to stabilize facilities while waiting for capital allocations, but that practice diverts money from academic programs.
Requests and next steps CSCU requested continued support to convert authorizations into allocations and to approve additional authorizations targeted at deferred maintenance, ADA upgrades, STEM modernization and community‑college capital projects. The system offered to supply the committee with more detailed prioritization lists and organizational charts showing who is responsible for delivering projects.
Ending Chancellor Chang said CSCU will work with the subcommittee to provide the granular project lists and timelines needed to advance authorizations into allocations, and asked the legislature to partner on a multiyear plan to preserve the system’s buildings while supporting workforce priorities.
