Consultants recommend major governance, funding and staffing changes for Connecticut State Colleges and Universities

The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems presented a data-driven review of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities to the Higher Education Financial Sustainability Advisory Board, urging immediate strategic and structural changes to address long-term enrollment declines and fiscal pressure.

The consultant said the study, funded through ARPA dollars allocated to the Office of Policy and Management, was intended “to conduct an independent third party study of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities.” The report examined enrollment, staffing, facilities and governance and offered short- and long-term options for the system and the state to consider.

Why it matters: the consultant concluded that continuing demographic declines in traditional-college-age students, falling college-going rates and strong out-of-state competition mean the current scale and organization of CSCU are not sustainable without major change. The report recommends clarifying system vs. institution roles, aligning staffing with enrollment, pausing new building plans until space inventories and priorities are clear, and creating a stronger statewide coordinating function for postsecondary policy and funding.

Consultant findings and recommendations - Enrollment and demographics: The report notes national and state trends of declining traditional-age students and lower college-going rates. It cites the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education projections showing Connecticut’s projected decline from 2023–2030 is smaller than earlier estimates…