by Donald Eng
Connecticut officials are calling for a clean slate and fresh start at the CT State Colleges and Universities in the wake of a series of reports of a toxic culture.
Marty Guay, head of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, announced his resignation effective immediately Monday (May 18).
“I leave this role with deep pride in what we have accomplished together,” he wrote. “Throughout my tenure, our focus has remained clear: expanding access, strengthening opportunity, and helping more Connecticut students succeed. I am proud of the progress we made on behalf of our students, and I know that work will continue.”
Guay said he and the board were in full support of the independent investigation into allegations of a hostile environment created by former interim chancellor John Maduko. Maduko resigned last month.
Gov. Ned Lamont immediately issued a statement Monday accepting Guay’s resignation and thanking him for his efforts.
“The work of this board matters deeply, and the board has made positive progress in recent years; enrollment is up, our institutions are better aligned with the workforce needs of our state,” Lamont said in the statement.
But Lamont also addressed the investigation, stating that it must move forward expeditiously and transparently.
“Anyone found to have failed to follow proper processes and procedures should expect to face the appropriate consequences,” he said. “I am confident this board will handle that investigation with seriousness and integrity, and I am committed to ensuring that CSCU has the leadership it needs to honor its obligations both to this matter as well as its ongoing work serving the CSCU students and community.”
Legislative Republicans were quick to point out that Lamont’s comments came shortly after a number of state senators had sent a letter to Lamont raising concerns about the situation at CSCU. In the letter, eight Senate Republicans asked for information about the independent investigation, the firm conducting it and whether there had been a competitive bidding process for the investigation.
The group also questioned if Maduko was receiving any taxpayer-funded income and if former Chancellor Terrence Cheng, who was reassigned last year under scrutiny for his financial oversight and spending practices, was still receiving taxpayer income.
“Gov. Lamont owns the ongoing CSCU mess, and we await the answers we are seeking,” said Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, of Brookfield.
On the Democratic side, the House members of the Higher Education Committee penned a statement of their own, saying they were deeply troubled and alarmed over the claims against Maduko and reports that the regent leadership had ignored reports of toxic behavior.
“Permissive administrative cultures fundamentally compromise employee safety and openly defy Title IX protections,” they wrote. “Furthermore, reports that Board Chair Marty Guay previously terminated an employee reporting misconduct describe a practice that is both highly alarming and, if true, legally indefensible. While Dr. Maduko’s departure was a vital first step, it does not wipe away the widespread institutional negligence.”
CT State Colleges and Universities oversees Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Western Connecticut State University in Danbury and Charter Oak State College, in addition to 12 community colleges.