CSCU student leaders briefed on Finish Line Scholars pilot, deferred maintenance funding and labor-cost ask
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Summary
CSCU government relations staff told student representatives the Finish Line Scholars pilot (a 2026 initiative to ease transfer costs) faces a midterm cut from $7.7 million to about $3.85 million in the governor’s proposal; the system is prioritizing restoring that funding, pressing for $136 million in deferred-maintenance bonding to be placed on the State Bond Commission agenda, and asking the state to cover collective-bargaining increases.
CSCU government relations staff updated the Student Advisory Council on the system’s legislative priorities, emphasizing efforts to restore funding for a Finish Line Scholars pilot, press the State Bond Commission to release deferred-maintenance dollars, and ask the state to cover labor-cost increases from collective bargaining.
The presenter said the governor’s initial allocation for the Finish Line Scholars pilot last year was $7,700,000 but that the governor’s midterm adjustment proposal reduces that line to about $3,850,000. "We're estimating based on the criteria in the legislation that that would serve about maybe 1,100 eligible students out of a pool of, technically, 5,500 eligible students," the presenter said, adding that fully funding the program for all eligible students would cost an estimated $30–$35 million. The staffer described the pilot as first-come, first-served and not an entitlement.
The presenter said the Finish Line Scholars appropriation is intended as a separate budget line distinct from the CSCU block grant, so the dollars would be dedicated to that program rather than distributed across campuses. "This Finish Line Scholars program would be its own budget line item so that the dollars are specific to be only used for that program," the presenter said.
Beyond the scholarship pilot, government relations staff outlined two additional priorities. First, the system is requesting that the state cover increases that stem from collective bargaining agreements so those costs do not become part of the CSCU block grant and further widen structural deficits. The presenter gave a ballpark range for the potential fiscal exposure from those labor costs on the order of tens of millions of dollars.
Second, deferred maintenance on CSU and CT State campuses remains an urgent funding need. The presenter said the legislature has authorized approximately $136,000,000 for deferred maintenance but those funds must still be placed on the State Bond Commission agenda and approved by the governor and the commission before they can be spent. "The legislature approved the swiping of the credit card," the presenter said, "but in order for us to be able to use that credit card, that deferred maintenance has to be put on the state bond agenda, voted on by the governor and the State Bond Commission." The presenter described the requested work as health-and-safety and basic infrastructure (elevators, chillers, winter heating, air), not new buildings.
On questions about institutional trust following an earlier audit and the controversies reported last year, the presenter said those audits relate to events two to three years prior and that CSCU has implemented stricter p-card policies, training and compliance measures. The presenter also cited leadership changes, including the appointment of interim chancellor Maduca, as factors that have helped rebuild legislators’ confidence, while acknowledging that trust is not yet fully restored.
Staff offered guidance to students interested in advocacy: submit testimony, email legislators or the governor, and use examples the relations team will supply. The presenter said the group will circulate Appropriations Committee testimony examples and a YouTube link to the student-panel hearings so student representatives can see how testimony is delivered.
The meeting closed after routine business; Vice Chair Tyler Yee moved to adjourn, Schenkel seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote. The meeting ended at 12:54 p.m.
