September 21, 2026

Since its formation in 2011, CSU-AAUP has criticized the creation, the operation, and the consequences of the CSCU system. Its entire existence has been defined by scandal and incompetence. The Board of Regents and the System Office, together, are the antithesis of educational governance; the system is a plaything for corporate and entrepreneur types, with students nothing more than an afterthought. Everyone – from the governor, to politicians, to board members, to system office bureaucrats, to campus presidents – is implicated in this disaster. Our members, our students and the people of Connecticut deserve better – CSU-AAUP said that in 2011 and it says it today.

Last Thursday interim Chancellor Braswell released the Grand River Solutions’ independent review concerning the appalling behavior of former Chancellor Maduko and the stunning malfeasance of top CSCU managers. It is a shocking read. On almost every page, there are outrageous examples of arrogance and unrestrained power by system leaders, with victims of sexual harassment and bullying nothing more than an afterthought. The investigation’s conclusion is that there was an “overall failure” on the part of CSCU managers to address the harassment/bullying that their employees were suffering.

For those of us who have paid attention to the BOR and system office over the years “overall failure” is not an aberration, it is standard operating procedure for the CSCU system. In the past, Regents and past Chancellors abused their financial privileges, implemented unworkable and expensive projects without real shared governance, and conducted contract negotiations with a blatant disregard of the serious workplace problems brought to them by employees.

One of the guiding principles of CSU-AAUP, and all unions, is that all people deserve due process and a fair and impartial investigation. We believe this has been done in the case of former Chancellor Maduko. We hope that any further cases of top management misconduct, such as allegations made against CCSU President Toro, receive the same sort of investigation.

The problems and scandals plaguing the CSCU system go well beyond the behavior of a few arrogant, unethical and power-hungry managers. We believe that there must be a thorough investigation and assessment of its structure, methods of appointment of board members and managers as well as its specific roles and responsibilities in relation to the Chancellor and system office. We also hope they establish a clear policy about the need for shared governance and how to best interact with the employees who do the real work of our institutions in nurturing our students in the classrooms, libraries, playing fields, and counseling offices.

CSU-AAUP is willing to work for a solution that makes sense for our members and students. Last month Governor Lamont assured us that he endorses the concept of increased faculty involvement in BOR decision-making. He also welcomes CSU-AAUP suggestions about potential candidates for future appointments to the BOR. And he is committed to having a discussion with CSU-AAUP about the structure and governance of the BOR more broadly to really evaluate what works and what does not work. We plan extended meetings with interim Chancellor Braswell in order to discuss these issues. We will keep our members informed.

Louise Williams, John O'Connor, Brendan Cunningham, Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox