Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Facing Tough Choices Amid Budget Deficits and Declining Enrollment

Amid financial challenges and declining student enrollment, Connecticut‘s state colleges and universities system, led by Chancellor Terrance Cheng, is navigating difficult decisions that could impact over 60,000 students in the coming year. The system, which excludes UConn, is grappling with budget deficits and the potential need for tuition hikes.

Cheng emphasized that raising tuition is considered a last resort, recognizing the hardship it places on students. While a budget stabilization bill in May provided $80 million in federal pandemic relief funds to the CSCU system, additional support from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) may be on the horizon based on state budget forecasts.

If the anticipated $20 million from ARPA materializes later in the year, Cheng stated that the funds would be earmarked for student tuition relief, offering a potential reprieve for the college community. The aim is to leverage all available resources to support students, faculty, and staff during this challenging period.

Recent data from the state Office of Legislative Research highlighted a concerning trend of declining enrollment within the CSCU system over the past five years, with figures showing a sharper decline compared to the national average. Particularly alarming is the substantial decrease in enrollment at Connecticut’s community colleges, outpacing the national trend by a significant margin.