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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 997
AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS OF
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
CONNECTICUT AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR HIGHER
EDUCATION.
SUMMARY
The bill increases the number of UConn Board of Trustee (BOT)
members from 21 to 25 by adding two additional trustees elected by
students and two elected by University Senate members, with the
latter restricted from voting on or participating in certain matters. The
bill also increases the number of Board of Regents for Higher
Education (BOR) members from 21 to 23 by adding two additional
voting student advisory committee members.
Under current law, the BOR includes two non-voting members from
the BOR faculty advisory committee. The bill generally converts these
positions into voting members, except it prohibits them from voting on
matters relating to collective bargaining negotiations or agreements.
The bill also prohibits these members from attending or participating
in meetings held in executive session about personnel matters; under
current law, the BOR chairperson may invite them to executive
sessions.
The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
ADDITIONAL UCONN BOT TRUSTEES
Under existing law, the UConn BOT includes two student members:
one elected by undergraduate students and one by graduate students,
with the elections of one each in alternate years by July 1.
The bill requires, for the elections held by July 1, 2022, (1) UConn 2021SB-00997-R000196-BA.DOCX
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undergraduate students to elect an additional undergraduate trustee to
serve a one-year term and (2) UConn graduate students to elect two
graduate students to serve two-year terms (one under existing law and
an additional one under the bill). As under existing law, the graduate
student members must be enrolled in the School of Law, School of
Medicine, School of Dentistry, or School of Social Work, or be a
graduate student in a UConn school or college.
These student trustee positions (1) carry two-year terms after their
initial terms and (2) must be filled by full-time students for the
duration of their terms. Starting in 2024, the bill requires that two
members be elected per year, with the graduate and undergraduate
positions elected in alternate years.
The bill also requires UConn University Senate members, by
November 1, 2021, to elect two trustees from among the elected voting
members of the University Senate: one full-time faculty member to
serve a term expiring June 30, 2022, and one member to serve a term
expiring June 30, 2023. Both trustee positions carry two-year terms
after their initial terms, and the successors to the term expiring June 30,
2022, must both be full-time faculty members. The initial full-time
faculty member position, and successors to both initial appointments,
must be employed by the university for the duration of their terms.
The bill prohibits University Senate-elected members on the UConn
BOT from (1) attending or participating in meetings held in executive
session about personnel matters or (2) voting on matters relating to
collective bargaining negotiations or agreements.
For both the student and University Senate members, any vacancies
must be filled by special election for the remainder of the unexpired
term.
Under existing law, the BOT also includes (1) 12 trustees appointed
by the governor, (2) two trustees elected by alumni, and (3) five ex-
officio members.
ADDITIONAL BOR MEMBE RS 2021SB-00997-R000196-BA.DOCX
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Under existing law, the BOR’s membership includes the chairperson
and vice-chairperson of the student advisory committee. The bill
increases the number of BOR members from 21 to 23 by adding two
additional student advisory committee members: one Connecticut
State University System or Charter Oak State College student and one
regional community-technical college student. Under the bill, these
new members are elected by consensus vote of the advisory
committee.
Under existing law, in addition to the student advisory committee
and faculty advisory committee members, the BOR also includes (1)
nine members appointed by the governor; (2) four appointed by
legislative leaders; and (3) four ex-officio, nonvoting members.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 19 Nay 3 (03/11/2021)