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Chancellor outlines legislative priorities, Danbury regional roadmap and reestablished internal audit
Summary
Chancellor John Maduco reported on campus disruptions from winter storms, described a four-pillar legislative agenda (capital, affordability, workforce alignment, fiscal stability), announced a Danbury regional task force to align Western Connecticut State University and CT State in Danbury, and said the system has reestablished a central internal audit with a newly appointed director.
Interim Chancellor John Maduco opened his report noting recent winter storms forced closures across the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system and moved the board meeting to a virtual format. He thanked campus leaders and facilities staff for cleanup and continuity efforts.
Maduco outlined the system's 2026 legislative focus in four pillars: capital and bonding to address deferred maintenance; student affordability; workforce alignment to meet state economic needs; and fiscal stability, including labor costs and any potential wage increases. He said the short legislative session (opening Feb. 4 and running through May 6) is largely a budget-adjustment year and that the system aims to build credibility and fiscal discipline ahead of the FY27 biennium.
The chancellor described a newly convened task force (charged to institutional presidents) to develop a roadmap for better regional alignment in Danbury involving Western Connecticut State University and CT State, aimed at streamlining pathways, transfers and workforce partnerships while preserving institutional missions and accreditation. He asked presidents to return a high-level proposal and progress report in about a month and highlighted that incoming institutional leadership may have input.
On compliance, Maduco announced the reestablishment of a central internal audit function and named Brian Green as director of internal audit; the office will focus on tracking State Auditors of Public Accounts audit findings, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring statutory compliance across the system.
Maduco also referenced system participation in appropriations and higher education committee hearings, endorsement of specific bills (including a graduate loan expansion item the system supported), and several institutional recognitions (Southern Connecticut State University selected for an AI workforce accelerator and a philanthropic bequest to Western Connecticut State University).
