• The board consists of 11 members who serve staggered four-year terms.

• The governor appoints seven members and the top four legislative leaders appoint one each.

• Both houses confirm.

• Is the central policy-making authority of public higher education. Selects and hires the commissioner of higher education. Prepares a consolidated operating and capital budget for all constituent units of higher education. Develops a higher education master plan. Sets tuition and student fee and financial aid policies. Merges and closes institutions. Approves recommendations by constituent units to establish new academic programs. Maintains central higher education information system.

1. A significant proportion of Connecticut's high school graduates leave the state to attend college. How might the state encourage more graduates to go to college here?

2. Are the current responsibilities and roles of the board and the constituent units well balanced? Are there areas in which you would like the board to be more active relative to the units?

3. The Department of Higher Education reports that even after three years of increases in the number of degrees conferred, Connecticut is still below the national average. What strategies do you think the state should adopt to reach or surpass this benchmark?

4. The governor has recommended $ 25 million in additional student financial aid for both public and private colleges. How might the board promote the efficient and effective use of the additional resources?

5. Connecticut's non-English-speaking population is growing. What are the long-term effects of this trend on higher education and how are Connecticut's colleges responding to it?

6. In what ways can the constituent units collaborate with Connecticut's secondary schools to improve high school graduation rates and adequately prepare students for higher education?

7. Why do higher education costs continue to outstrip the consumer price index? What factors contribute to this? Can they be controlled? At what point will public higher education in Connecticut become too costly for most residents?

8. What can Connecticut's colleges and universities do to strengthen their ties with businesses and ensure the state's workforce needs are being met?

9. Are there any higher education policies you would like to see changed? If so, what policies and why?

10. What is the role of higher education in the 21^st century?