Lecturers Unhappy over Governor’s $2 billion Investment in UConn

Lecturers from Connecticut's state and community colleges feel they are being neglected after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced a $2 billion investment for promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives at the University of Connecticut (UConn).

"It's more than disappointment. I'm really angry with the administrative structure of higher education," Candace Barrington, an English professor at Central Connecticut State University, told Courant. "We don't have anybody promoting us. To put it crudely, we're like a red-headed stepchild."

Rep. Toni Walker, co-chairwoman of appropriations committee told the newspaper that Central, Southern, Western and Eastern, and the 12 community colleges also need to be part of the state's strategic plans.

Walker said that many of his colleagues question the allocations for UConn without first looking at other colleges that the state is responsible for.

On the other hand, Walker appreciated the research done by the UConn.

Sen. Beth Bye, co-chairwoman of the higher education committee, told the newspaper that the governor and legislators should create a plan for the other colleges and universities as well.

The difference of opinion between UConn and the other state colleges occurred at Thursday's appropriations meeting.

The $2billion funds will be allocated to 'Next Generation Connecticut' program over the next 10 years. This program was launched by Malloy, Jan.31.

At the launch, UConn President Susan Herbst listed out objectives of the program.

Some of them include renovations of old science buildings; construction of new teaching laboratories; increasing enrolments; and hiring 259 additional faculty members.

Herbst said that this investment will attract hundreds of millions of dollars in research grants for the university and create 4,000 permanent new jobs to the state.

The governor believes that the next set of jobs will be found in STEM fields. Hence the investment is being made in these fields.

"I firmly believe in a strong system of public higher education," former UConn President Philip Austin told the newspaper. "And although many of you may consider me an 'UConn Guy,' I believe that our state's commitment must extend far beyond our flagship university."