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Office of Higher Education backs bills to let Norwalk Conservatory and International Institute of Astronautical Sciences confer degrees
Summary
The Office of Higher Education told the committee it has evaluated and recommends legislative approval for two private institutions—the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts and the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences—to be authorized to confer degrees in Connecticut; proponents described program focus, enrollment and facilities.
Sean Severson, division director at the Connecticut Office of Higher Education (OHE), told the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee that OHE has reviewed two institutions and recommends that the General Assembly authorize them to confer degrees: SB 14‑12 for the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts and SB 14‑24 for the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS).
Severson described the statutory authorization process (he referenced Connecticut General Statutes 10 A‑34C), the OHE application and review steps—application, circulation to existing institutions for comment, evaluators’ site visits and an evaluation panel—and said neither institution drew objections during the circulation period. He said OHE’s recommendation follows evaluation teams’ reviews and site visits and that approval by the General Assembly is the final step.
Daniel Loftus George, president of the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, described a two‑year conservatory that grew out of a professional training program and now offers three majors (musical theater, dance/musical theater and television/film). He said the school has alumni working on Broadway and national tours, draws students from 37 states, offers scholarships and private fundraising support, and partners with local arts organizations. He told the committee the conservatory seeks legal authority to award associate degrees.
Representatives of the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences and its partners described hands‑on astronautical and bioastronautics training and research. Dr. Aaron Persad, director of bioastronautics at IIAS, said the institute conducts microgravity parabolic flights, spacesuit and egress testing in partnership with Survival Systems USA and that students have gone on to NASA and commercial spaceflight employers. Jason Reimuhler, IIAS executive director, and Maria Hannah of Survival Systems described specialized facilities—neutral‑buoyancy and egress labs, space‑suit testing—and said the programs are unique in Connecticut. IIAS and supporters asked the committee to approve SB 14‑24 so the institute may confer a professional master’s degree and four professional certificates.
Committee members asked about competition with existing Connecticut programs and funding models. OHE testified that the Norwalk Conservatory’s offerings are highly specialized and drew no objections in the circulation; IIAS and Survival Systems said their programs are unique in-state and largely supported by tuition and private fundraising while also running outreach and inclusion programs.
No formal committee vote was recorded in the hearing; OHE requested legislative approval be granted for both bills.
