Mae Flexer

Senator Flexer Applauds Senate Passage Of Bill Increasing Student Membership On The Board Of Regents And UConn Board Of Trustees

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Senate passed legislation that would change the number of members on the Board of Regents for Higher Education and UConn Board of Trustees to include more student voices. The bill passed by a 26-10 vote. Senator Mae Flexer, who is Vice Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, praised the passage of the bill.
“It’s critical that students have a voice on the Board of Regents and the UConn Board of Trustees,” said Senator Flexer. “These boards make all of the critical decisions regarding our public institutions of higher education. Students at UConn, our state universities and our community colleges are facing ever increasing tuition and their input should be amplified as budgets are being set.”

Senate Bill 817, “An Act Concerning Higher Education,” would change the number of board members on the Board of Regents for Higher Education from 21 to 23 members. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the student advisory committee will become members of the Board. One student will be a student of the Connecticut State University System or Charter Oak State College and the other student will be a student of a regional community-technical college. The bill will also add two students to the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut. Similar legislation passed the state Senate unanimously in 2015 but was vetoed by then Governor Malloy.

“These boards also set policy in so many critical areas for our campuses,” continued Senator Flexer. “Student voices and the voices of young people are creating great societal change on campuses across our state. It’s more important than ever to boost their voices, let them have a role in the decision making process, and give them the representation that they deserve.”

The bill now awaits a vote by the House of Representatives.