EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE;

CURRENT ISSUES

1. (NEW) What will be your highest priorities in light of the current budget situation? If higher education programs or services must be cut as a result of state funding cuts, where should the cuts be made?

2. (NEW) Tuition and other fees at the constituent units of higher education have been increasing for the last few years. What can be done to control the cost of higher education in the state and ensure that it remains accessible to students from lower income families?

3. (NEW) What can you tell us about the alternate route to certification program designed to address the severe shortage of teachers in certain disciplines? Do you anticipate that the continuing teacher shortage may result in some Connecticut schools having to follow the New York example and mass recruit teachers from the Caribbean and elsewhere?

4. (NEW) What should higher education institutions be doing to address shortages of other professionals, such as nurses, dental hygienists, and pharmacists?

5. Some states guarantee free tuition at their public colleges and universities for all students who do well in high school. Would you support such a plan for Connecticut? What are its advantages and disadvantages?

6. The University of California system recently called for an end to the SAT I. The SAT has historically been considered culture- and gender-biased. What do you think of the SAT? Should Connecticut's colleges and universities investigate new methods of assessment? Or should they stick with the SAT, which allows them to compare high school students from around the country?

7. (NEW) Affirmative action has recently been legally challenged at the University of Michigan. There, minority students receive extra points on their applications. What are your views on this controversy? If the Supreme Court finds the practice unconstitutional, should colleges seek alternative methods to practice affirmative action?

8. What are some programs or initiatives that the state's higher education institutions are currently using, or could implement, to encourage minority students to attend college and earn a degree?

9. (NEW) A legislator has proposed making the University of Connecticut a dry campus. How do you feel about this? Is this an area in which the state should be involved? What are the possible benefits and drawbacks of this proposal?

10. (NEW) Some colleges and universities appear to be placing a greater emphasis on sports than academics. Why do you think this is happening? What can we do to emphasize academics over sports at these schools?

11. (NEW) Title IX requires universities to devote equal resources to men’s and women’s sports. At many schools, this has resulted in the elimination of less popular men’s teams, such as diving and gymnastics. Is this fair? Can colleges and universities operate differently under Title IX so as to retain dedicated men’s athletic teams that are not as well-known and do not generate revenue? Should they address this concern at all?

12. (NEW) Many students from high schools where most kids do not go on to college are not well-informed of the variety of schools, programs, and financial aid available for them in higher education. What are the most effective outreach programs that can help remedy this situation? What more can be done in this area?

13. (NEW) Connecticut continues to experience a “brain drain” as students who grew up or attend college here frequently leave the state permanently after college. How can we convince students to stay in Connecticut?

14. (NEW) Students are taking longer and longer to graduate from both two- and four-year colleges. This increases the cost of education not just to the students but to the state. What measures can be put in place to help students graduate faster?

15. (NEW) How do you feel about teaching assistants unionizing?

ISSUES RELATING TO AGENCY PROCEDURES

1. What can the Board of Governors of Higher Education do to facilitate a closer working relationship between its four constituent units? Should the units have a closer relationship?

2. The Board of Governors of Higher Education has a stated goal of having 60% of Connecticut high school graduates attending college in state. What is being done to achieve this goal?

3. (NEW) Colleges and universities are using more part-time and adjunct faculty. What do you think of this trend?

4. What special skills or experience do you bring to the board?

VR: PM: RO/eh