Connecticut 2021 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate

SB 997 — AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

Last action — HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 587

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2021 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

245 added · 127 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes to SB 997 increase the number of alumni representatives on the University of Connecticut's board from twenty-one to twenty-five. Additionally, the number of student-elected trustees has been increased from two to four. These amendments are important because they enhance student representation and alumni involvement in the decision-making processes of higher education, ensuring a broader range of perspectives and voices in governance.

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General Assembly Raised Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
997 January Session, 2021 LCO No.
196 January Session, 2021 Substitute Senate Bill No.
4340 Referred to Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT Introduced by:
997 Senate, March 29, 2021 The Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement reported through SEN.
(HED) AN ACT CONCERNING AN EXPANSION OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE VOTING RIGHTS OF THE FACULTY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
SLAP of the 5th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
(a) There shall continue to be a Board of Trustees [for] of The University of Connecticut to consist of [twenty-one] twenty-three persons, twelve to be appointed by the Governor, who shall reflect the state's geographic, racial and ethnic diversity;
(a) There shall continue to be a Board of Trustees [for] of The University of Connecticut to consist of [twenty-one] twenty-five persons, twelve to be appointed by the Governor, who shall reflect the state's geographic, racial and ethnic diversity;
two to be elected by the students enrolled at the institutions under the jurisdiction of said board;
[two] four to be elected by the students enrolled at the institutions under the jurisdiction of said board;
four [members] trustees for a term of four LCO No.
four [members] trustees for a term of four sSB997 / File No.
4340 1 of 6 Raised Bill No.997 years from said date;
196 1 sSB997 File No.
196 years from said date;
Vacancies occurring by death or resignation of either of such alumni trustees shall be filled for the LCO No.
Vacancies occurring by death or resignation of either of such alumni trustees shall be filled for the sSB997 / File No.
4340 2 of 6 Raised Bill No.997 unexpiredportionofthe termby specialelection,ifsuchunexpiredterm is for more than eighteen months.
196 2 sSB997 File No.
When the unexpired term is eighteen monthsor less, suchvacancy shallbefilledby appointment by theboard of directors of said alumni association.
196 unexpiredportionofthe termby specialelection,ifsuchunexpiredterm is for more than eighteen months.
When the unexpired term is eighteen monthsor less, such vacancy shallbefilledby appointment by theboard of directors of said alumni association.
Prior to July first, annually, such students shall, in accordance with this section and in such manner as the board shall determine, elect one [member] trustee of [said] the board, who shall be so enrolled at said university at the time of his or her election and who shall serve for a term of two years from July first in the year of his or her election.
Prior to July first, annually, until and including the election held on or before July 1, 2021 such students shall, in accordance with this section and in such manner as the board shall determine, elect one [member] trustee of [said] the board, who shall be so enrolled at said university at the time of his or her election and who shall serve for a term of two years from July first in the year of his or her election.
The student [member] trustee elected to fill the term expiring on June 30, 2003, and such elected [member's] trustee's successors, shall be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at a school or college of the university and shall be elected by the undergraduate students of the schools and colleges of the university.
On or before July 1, 2022, such students shall, in accordance with this subsection and in such manner as the board shall determine, elect three trustees, each of whom shall be enrolled as a full-time student at said university at the time of his or her election.
The student [member] trustee elected to fill the term expiring on June 30, 2004, and such elected [member's] trustee's successors, shall be enrolled as a full-time student in the School of Law, the School of Medicine, the School of Dentistry, the School of Social Work, or as a graduate student of a school or college of the university, and shall be elected by the students of the School of Law,theSchoolofMedicine,theSchoolofDentistry,theSchoolofSocial Work and the graduate students of the schools and colleges of the university.
One such trustee shall be elected for a term of one year commencing July 1, 2022, and the other two trustees shall be elected for a term of two years from said date.
On or before July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, in accordance with this subsection and in such manner as the board shall determine, such students shall elect two trustees of the board who shall be enrolled as full-time students at said university at the time of their election andwho shall serve for a term of two years from July first in the year of their election.
The student [member] trustee elected to fill the term expiring on June 30, 2003, and the student trustee elected to fill the term expiring on June 30, 2023, and such elected [member's] trustees' successors, shall be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at a school or college of the university and shall be elected by the undergraduate students of the schools and colleges of the university.
The student [member] trustees elected to fillthetermexpiring onJune30, [2004] 2024,and such elected [member's] trustees' successors, shall be enrolled as a full-time sSB997 / File No.
196 3 sSB997 File No.
196 student in the School of Law, the School of Medicine, the School of Dentistry, theSchoolof Social Work,or asagraduate student ofa school or college of the university, and shall be elected by the students of the School of Law, the School of Medicine, the School of Dentistry, the School of Social Work and the graduate students of the schools and colleges of the university.
(f) On or before November 1, 2021, the members of the University LCO No.
(f) On or before November 1, 2021, the members of the University Senate of The University of Connecticut shall, in such manner as the BoardofTrusteesofTheUniversityofConnecticutshalldetermine,elect two trustees from among the elected and voting members of the University Senate, one of whom shall be employed as a full-time faculty member of said university for the duration of such trustee's term on the board.
4340 3 of 6 Raised Bill No.997 Senate of The University of Connecticut shall, in such manner as the BoardofTrusteesofTheUniversityofConnecticut shalldetermine,elect two trustees from among the elected and voting members of the University Senate, one of whom shall be employed as a full-time faculty member of said university for the duration of such trustee's term on the board.
Sec.
sSB997 / File No.
196 4 sSB997 File No.
196 Sec.
The board shall consist of twenty-one members who shall be distinguished leaders of the community in Connecticut.
The board shall consist of [twenty-one] twenty-three members who shall be distinguished leaders of the community in Connecticut.
The voting members shall not be employed by or be a member of a board of trustees for any independent institution of higher education in this state or the Board of Trustees for The University ofConnecticut nor shall they LCO No.
The voting members shall not be employed by or be a member of a board of trustees for any independent institution of higher education in this state or the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut nor shall they be public officials or state employees, as such terms are defined in section 1-79, during their term of membership on the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
4340 4 of 6 Raised Bill No.997 be public officials or state employees, as such terms are defined in section 1-79, during their term of membership on the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
The Governor shall appoint nine members to the board as follows:
The Governor shall appoint nine members to the boardasfollows:
Three members for a term of two years;
Three membersfor atermoftwo years;three members for a term of four years;
three members for a term of four years;
One appointment by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be an alumnus of the regional community- technical college system, for a term of four years;
One appointment by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be an alumnus of the regional community-technical college system, for a term of four years;
Thereafter, such members of the General Assembly shall appoint members of the board to succeed such appointees whose terms expire and each member so appointed shall hold office for a period of four years from the first day of July in theyear of his or her appointment.
Thereafter, such members of the General Assembly shall appoint members of the board to succeed such appointees whose terms expire and each member so appointed shall hold office for a period of fouryearsfromthefirstdayofJulyintheyear ofhisorherappointment.
The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the student advisory committee created under section 10a-3 shall serve as members of the board.
sSB997 / File No.
The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the faculty advisory committee created under section 10a-3a shall serve as ex-officio [, nonvoting] members of the board, [for a term of two years and, in their respective roles as chairperson and vice-chairperson, may be invited to any executive session, as defined in section 1-200, of the board by the chairperson of the board] provided no such member of the board may (1) attend or participate in a meeting of the board held in executive session concerning personnel matters, or (2) vote on matters relating to collective bargainingnegotiationsor agreements.The Commissionersof Education, Economic and Community Development and Public Health LCO No.
196 5 sSB997 File No.
4340 5 of 6 Raised Bill No.
196 The [chairperson and vice-chairperson] following members of the student advisory committee created under section 10a-3 shall serve as members of the board:
997 and the Labor Commissioner shall serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members of the board.
(1) The chairperson, (2) the vice-chairperson, and (3) two members elected by a consensus vote of the members of the student advisory committee, one of whom shall be a student of the Connecticut State University System or Charter Oak State College and the other of whom shall be a student of the regional community- technical colleges.
The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the faculty advisory committee created under section 10a-3a shall serve as ex- officio [, nonvoting] members of the board, [for a term of two years and, in their respective roles as chairperson and vice-chairperson, may be invited to any executive session, as defined in section 1-200, of the board by the chairperson of the board] provided no such member of the board may (A) attend or participate in a meeting of the board held in executive session concerning personnel matters, or (B) vote on matters relating to collective bargainingnegotiationsor agreements.The Commissionersof Education, Economic and Community Development and Public Health and the Labor Commissioner shall serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members of the board.
2 July 1, 2021 10a-1a(a) Statement of Purpose:
2 July 1, 2021 10a-1a(a) Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
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To (1) add two members of The University of Connecticut's University Senate to the Boardof Trustees of The University of Connecticut, and (2) allow faculty members of the Board of Regents for Higher Education to be voting members.
In Section 1(a), the opening and closing brackets and "four" were moved to the next line for accuracy.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
HED Joint Favorable Subst.
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except underlined.]e entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not LCO No.
sSB997 / File No.
4340 6 of 6
196 6 sSB997 File No.
196 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill, which adds members to the University of Connecticut's Board of Trustees and to the Boardof Regents, results in no fiscal impact to the constituent units because governing board members are not reimbursed for their duties.
The bill also gives voting rights to the faculty members of both boards, within certain limits, which results in no fiscal impact to the units.
The Out Years State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None sSB997 / File No.
196 7 sSB997 File No.
196 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 997 AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
SUMMARY The bill increases the number of UConn Board of Trustee (BOT) members from 21 to 25 by adding two additional trustees elected by students and two elected by University Senate members, with the latter restricted fromvotingonor participating incertainmatters.The bill also increases the number of Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) members from 21 to 23 by adding two additional voting student advisory committee members.
Under current law, the BOR includes two non-voting members from the BOR faculty advisory committee.
The bill generally converts these positions into voting members, except it prohibits them from voting on matters relating to collective bargaining negotiations or agreements.
The bill also prohibits these members from attending or participating in meetings held in executive session about personnel matters;
under current law, the BOR chairperson may invite them to executive sessions.
The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2021 ADDITIONAL UCONN BOT TRUSTEES Under existing law, the UConn BOT includes two student members:
one elected by undergraduate students and one by graduate students, with the elections of one each in alternate years by July 1.
The bill requires, for the elections held by July 1, 2022, (1) UConn sSB997 / File No.
196 8 sSB997 File No.
196 undergraduate students to elect an additional undergraduate trustee to serve a one-year term and (2) UConn graduate students to elect two graduate students to serve two-year terms (one under existing law and an additional one under the bill).
As under existing law, the graduate student members must be enrolled in the School of Law, School of Medicine, SchoolofDentistry,or SchoolofSocialWork,orbeagraduate student in a UConn school or college.
These student trustee positions (1) carry two-year terms after their initial terms and (2) must be filled by full-time students for the duration of their terms.
Starting in 2024, the bill requires that two members be elected per year, with the graduate and undergraduate positions elected in alternate years.
The bill also requires UConn University Senate members, by November 1, 2021, to elect two trustees from among the elected voting membersoftheUniversitySenate:onefull-timefacultymembertoserve a term expiring June 30, 2022, and one member to serve a term expiring June 30, 2023.
Both trustee positions carry two-year terms after their initial terms, and the successors to the term expiring June 30, 2022, must both be full-time faculty members.
The initial full-time faculty member position,andsuccessorsto bothinitialappointments,must beemployed by the university for the duration of their terms.
The bill prohibits University Senate-elected members on the UConn BOT from (1) attending or participating in meetings held in executive session about personnel matters or (2) voting on matters relating to collective bargaining negotiations or agreements.
For both the student and University Senate members, any vacancies must be filled by special election for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Under existing law, the BOT also includes (1) 12 trustees appointed by the governor, (2) two trustees elected by alumni, and (3) five ex- officio members.
sSB997 / File No.
196 9 sSB997 File No.
196 ADDITIONAL BOR MEMBERS Under existing law, the BOR’s membership includes the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the student advisory committee.
The bill increases the number of BOR members from 21 to 23 by adding two additional student advisory committee members:
one Connecticut State University System or Charter Oak State College student and one regional community-technical college student.
Under the bill, these new members are elected by consensus vote of the advisory committee.
Under existing law, in addition to the student advisory committee and faculty advisory committee members, the BOR also includes (1) nine members appointed by the governor;
(2) four appointed by legislative leaders;
and (3) four ex-officio, nonvoting members.
COMMITTEE ACTION Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 19 Nay 3 (03/11/2021) sSB997 / File No.
196 10
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Action History

  1. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 587

  2. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  3. SENATE PASSED

  4. FILE NO. 196

  5. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 158

  6. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  7. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  8. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/29/21

  9. FILED WITH LCO

  10. Joint Favorable Substitute

  11. PUBLIC HEARING 0309

  12. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Higher Education and Employment Advancement

Sponsors

  • Higher Education And Employment Advancement Committee · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 186 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Higher Education And Employment Advancement Committee

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (186)

186 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 997?
SB 997 is sponsored by Higher Education And Employment Advancement Committee.
What is the current status of SB 997?
This bill died with 2021 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 997?
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