CSCU board approves consolidation plan

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Board of Regents voted on Dec. 14 to consolidate 12 community colleges into one accredited institution, in a move that is projected to save nearly $28 million a year in administrative costs.

Twelve board members voted in favor of the measure, which CSCU President Mark Ojakian first proposed in October, with one member abstaining. The plan calls for cutting about 190 administrative jobs by 2021.

The structural changes ”“ which will effectively create one college with 12 campuses ”“ need to be authorized by accrediting organization the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Ojakian said that process is expected to begin in March, with the new system expected to be in place by July 2019.