Connecticut
Chancellor of Connecticut State college system being investigated for lavish spending
In an era of budget cuts and restructuring, college administrators in Connecticut claim to be doing everything they can to help keep schools afloat. State leaders announced they will be initiating an audit of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system and its chancellor, Terrence Cheng, after reports of controversial spending decisions he is said to have made. Before Cheng took the post with the CSCU, he was the campus director of UConn Stamford, a position he held from 2016 through 2021.
“The tone-deaf champagne tastes of Chancellor Cheng are not a good look for the chancellor or for the CSCU system,” state senator Stephen Harding said to the press.
Cheng oversees the CSCU system, which comprises the four state universities (Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central), Charter Oak State College Online, and the 12 community and technical colleges, which are in the midst of consolidation. Although CSCU is a separate body from the University of Connecticut, certain decisions in procurement, interoperability agreements and finances are shared between that system and UConn.
Using documents and information obtained from a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request, reporters at the Stamford Advocate published a detail on Cheng’s purchases – including hundreds of dollars in meals and chauffeur services from his home in Westchester, N.Y. As part of his contract with the state, Cheng was provided a state vehicle and a $71,000 stipend with the expectation he would move to Connecticut. He’s also provided $25,000 annually for “housing and entertainment expenses.”
So far, he’s been renting an apartment in Hartford – but he doesn’t use it all the time. The report says that a recent interview indicates that he still uses his New York residence as his primary address.
“I believe myself and others feel he should be here in the state of Connecticut,” said Richard Balducci, a member of the Board of Regents, the group that oversees CSCU and works with the state, in the Stamford Advocate report. At UConn, the Board of Trustees would be the equivalent body.
Governor Ned Lamont announced on Oct. 25 that the state comptroller’s office would initiate an independent audit on CSCU’s financial management and hopes a comprehensive review can be furnished. His announcement said the main purpose of the inquiry would be to “assess whether public funds have been managed in accordance with state financial policies and in alignment with the educational mission of the CSCU system,” with itemized purchases and review of meals and vehicle usage part of the request.
Earlier this year, Cheng was lambasted by the leadership of Eastern State Connecticut University through a vote of no confidence. According to the ESCU senate’s statement as reported on by the CT Mirror, they believe the CSCU system has been mismanaged under Cheng’s direction.
Adam Joseph, vice chancellor for external affairs at CSCU, said at the time to the CT Mirror that “administrators recognize the uncertainty faculty at all levels are feeling.”
The merger of the state’s community colleges into one institution, originally devised as a way for CSCU to save money during former system president Mark Ojakian’s tenure, was handed off to Cheng and resulted in over 100 layoffs and various internal changes at the 12 campuses, according to reporting by the Norwalk Hour and Connecticut Post.
Any information contained in the state comptroller’s investigation into CSCU will be made public. No changes to Cheng’s position or current allowances are planned, but he said in a statement to the Stamford Advocate that he is looking to improve.
“This is one of those moments, right, where you learn as you’re doing your job,” Cheng said.
Marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting and attended by Governor Ned Lamont, state legislators, Waterbury officials, and community leaders, UConn Health celebrated the acquisition of Waterbury Hospital which as of today is now the UConn Health Waterbury Hospital.
“This is a defining moment for healthcare in Connecticut,” said Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health Community Network. “We now have the opportunity to take the award -winning academic quality and service of UConn Health and share it with the wonderful employees, doctors and community of Waterbury.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in the future of healthcare access across Connecticut.
“Connecticut is leading with innovation,” said Connecticut Governor Lamont. “The UConn Health Community Network reflects a proactive approach to strengthening community-based care by connecting it directly to the capabilities of our state’s public academic medical center. What begins in Waterbury today, represents a new model designed to expand opportunity, access, and excellence for communities statewide.”
In addition to UConn Health Waterbury Hospital, the Network includes UConn Health Community Network Medical Group and UConn Health Waterbury Health at Home. The model preserves each member’s local identity and will grow thoughtfully over time to improve quality, expand access, and reduce the total cost of care.
“This reflects a bold step forward in how we think about healthcare in Connecticut,” said John Driscoll, Chair of the UConn Health Board of Directors. “Today we celebrate the beginning of a new approach to community-based care. We move forward with clarity of purpose and shared commitment to serve our communities better together.”
Comptroller Sean Scanlon highlighted the significance of the model for the long-term evolution of healthcare delivery in Connecticut.
“This partnership represents thoughtful leadership at a pivotal time for healthcare,” said Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “By aligning community hospitals with academic medicine, Connecticut is building a modern framework that positions our healthcare system to meet the needs of patients today and into the future.”
“Hosting this celebration on our campus is deeply meaningful for our staff, physicians and the families we serve,” said Deborah Weymouth, President of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital. “Waterbury’s legacy of care continues, and we are tremendously proud to have a strong partner who is deeply committed to our community and help lead this next chapter for healthcare.”
Welcome UConn Health Waterbury Hospital!
A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.
The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.
Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.
I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.
The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.
As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.
There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.
A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.
There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.
A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.
In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.
On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.
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