Invest In University System

by OZ GRIEBEL

The Hartford Courant

October 2, 2007

Economic development and education are inexorably linked. That's why the proposed 10-year, $1.075 billion capital investment program, developed by the Connecticut State University System for necessary infrastructure, teaching facility, laboratory and technology upgrades at Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Connecticut State Universities is so critically important to Connecticut's future.

"With baby boomers entering retirement age in greater numbers over the next five years, Connecticut industry identified its growing concern about being able to find qualified workers to maintain future competitiveness. What's more, the need for skilled workers for current open positions is acute. This could be Connecticut's most significant economic challenge."

That assessment was included in a recent Battelle Institute report issued by the Connecticut Office for Workforce Competitiveness. The report, "A Talent-Based Strategy to Keep Connecticut Competitive in the 21st Century," said that "Connecticut residents who lack the educational backgrounds and skills to participate in the growing knowledge-based economy face a difficult economic future." That would not be good news for our state.

To put it bluntly, the quality of the education we provide the 36,000 students attending Connecticut's largest university system will, to a great extent, define Connecticut's future. A high proportion of these graduates - 86 percent - remain in the state to work and raise a family. This is the highest retention rate of all public and private four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut. In the age of global competition, we need to act now to better prepare our future workforce by closing the urban achievement gaps and opening the doors to higher education and the opportunities it affords.

Seeing the dilemma, the university system is taking strong and effective steps to:

Boost the education levels of Connecticut students, with innovative plans to improve the readiness of college freshmen by working with local high schools to align curriculum in English and mathematics.

Increase the number of graduates in key workforce shortage areas such as nursing and engineering.

Assist urban school districts in attracting and retaining teachers through innovative, collaborative programs.

The universities are working diligently with their counterparts in elementary, middle and high schools, pursuing the governor's pre-kindergarten through college initiative, which recognizes the importance of preparedness in early grades for success in higher education.

To follow through on these essential efforts, Central, Eastern, Southern and Western have proposed a comprehensive, 10-year capital plan to ensure that academic facilities incorporate the latest educational technologies to promote student engagement, learning and academic success.

The CSUS 2020 capital program, now being considered by the General Assembly, is included in the capital plan approved by the system's board of trustees. The plan is unique in the way it ensures transparency, accountability and oversight, using existing resources at the state Department of Public Works. It provides coordinated management over inspections every step of the way.

Importantly, the CSUS 2020 program also provides for significant financial controls to respond to the state's changing fiscal situation. The governor can defer the CSUS annual allotment, in whole or in part, if the state's financial condition has changed since the beginning of the fiscal year or if the state treasurer certifies that the state is within reach of the bond cap.

Connecticut must pursue this long-term investment in our largest university system. Today's students require superior instructors supported by comparable facilities to fully prepare them for tomorrow's opportunities. Connecticut's businesses deserve workers ready to tackle the jobs of the 21st century. CSUS 2020 is a vital component of the strategy to meet our future workforce needs and remain competitive in a growing international marketplace.

Oz Griebel is the president and CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance.

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