QUESTIONS FOR UCONN BOARD OF TRUSTEES NOMINEE

2. (NEW) Tuition at UConn rose fairly dramatically this year. What can the university do to ensure that it remains affordable? Do you think it is good public policy for universities to be allowed to charge what the student market will bear?

3. (NEW) A bill before the Public Safety Committee (RB 237) extends tuition waivers at the state higher education institutions to siblings, dependent children, and spouses of veterans killed in action in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. This, in spite of the fact that the state has never appropriated funds to cover the cost of tuition waivers. How has the college been funding such waivers? How does it plan to continue to fund them?

4. (NEW) As appropriation for higher education institutions declines, public colleges become more and more like private institutions. Some public colleges in other states have even threatened to convert to private institutions. What would you consider an appropriate strategy for dealing with declining state support?

5. (NEW) Students who cannot document their citizenship or immmigration status are ineligible for admission to UConn no matter how long they have lived in the state. Do you consider this an appropriate and reasonable policy, or should UConn be moving towards admitting undocumented aliens?

6. (NEW) Some have suggested that students should have to pass exit exams before qualifying for associates or bachelors degrees. The rationale for this is to ensure that the students have mastered the basic skills expected of a person holding that degree. Do you think this is a good idea?

7. (NEW) Several states have established statewide higher education accountability systems, intended to enable them to make funding decisions based on the performance of each individual institution. What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach?

8. (NEW) Is there any danger that UConn’s emphasis on sports might overshadow its pursuit of academic excellence? What can the university do to ensure that it continues to be known for academic excellence?

1. Colleges and universities, including UConn, are using more part-time and adjunct faculty. How does this trend affect UConn's mission and quality? How does it affect staff morale?

2. What can or should the university do to help the legislature formulate public policy? How can the university collaborate with other state agencies to solve difficult public health, social, or environmental problems?

3. (NEW) What combination of legislative mandate and incentives is most effective in getting higher education institutions to achieve their goals?

4. Many research universities are developing closer relationships with the corporate world. Proponents call this strategic collaboration; critics call it a sell-out. How does UConn balance the benefits of corporate support against the potential pitfalls of corporate control?

5. What special skills or experience do you bring to the board, particularly to help guide UConn through another major building program?


February 24, 2004		2004-R-0260
QUESTIONS FOR UCONN BOARD OF TRUSTEES NOMINEE

By: Veronica Rose, Principal Analyst