Community Corner

Cuts Looming for Connecticut's Community Colleges

Despite a budget increase for the coming academic year, the funds aren't enough to keep some essential services at the schools.

By Eileen McNamara

Even though spending is increasing nearly 5 percent for Connecticut's community college system, some basic services at the 12 colleges could be eliminated in the coming academic year. 

The problem, college officials say, is that spending on staff salaries — including a contracted 5 percent pay raise for state workers at the colleges — benefits and pensions are outpacing revenues within the college system, according to the Connecticut Mirror. 
The revenue squeeze means that starting in the next academic year, services such as tutoring, weekend library hours, security and art programs will all see cutbacks under the proposed $19.9 million budget being considered by the state's Board of Regents for Higher Education. 

“I struggle with an urban college, where we have over 8,000 students, and I cannot provide them the kind of quality education they need,” the website quotes Dorsey Kendrick, president of Gateway Community College in New Haven. “It’s unconscionable to me as a leader to not be able to provide for those students I serve in the community.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here