Legislative History for Connecticut Act 2008
Transcripts from the Joint Standing Committee Public Hearing(s) and.or Senate and House of Representatives Proceedings
Connecticut State Library Compiled 2017
006586
tmp 516
House of Representatives May 7, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I move for the immediate transmittal
of all bills needing further action to the Senate.
SPEAKER AMANN:
The question is on transmittal, is there
objection? Hearing none, so ordered.
(CHAMBER AT EASE)
Representative Michael Christ.
REP. CHRIST: (11~)
Mr. Speaker, I'm going to be moving items onto a
Consent Calendar. Mr. Speaker, the first bill is
Calendar Number 526, Calendar Number 475, Calendar
Number 430, Calendar Number 367, and Calendar Number
530.
SPEAKER AMANN:
The motion before us to place items on the Si'Jlt~ Consent Calendar for action on a later day are ~f;lk;9 Calendar Number 526, 475, 340, 367, 530. Is there .'?B _;J.b. HB5'13D objection to the motion? Is there objection? Hearing SG Y.'1~ none, those items are placed on the Consent Calendar
for action later today.
(CHAMBER AT EASE) 006587
tmp 517
House of Representatives May 7, 2008
Representative McCluskey, for what purpose do you
rise, Sir?
REP . MCCLUSKEY: (20th)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would ask
that House Calendar Number 340 be removed off of the
Consent Calendar.
SPEAKER AMANN:
So ordered, Sir.
(CHAMBER AT EASE)
Representative Christ.
REP. CHRIST: (11th)
Mr. Speaker, if I may move one more item onto the
Consent Calendar.
SPEAKER AMANN:
You may, Sir.
REP. CHRIST: (11~)
Calendar Number 353.
SPEAKER AMANN:
The motion before us is to place the following
item, Calendar Number 353, on the Consent Calendar.
Is there objection? Hearing none, j___ LYLill be placed
on the Calendar for action. 006678
tmp 608
House of Representatives May 7, 2008 we moved onto the Consent Calendar, beginning with
Calendar Number 526, Calendar Number 475.
SPEAKER AMANN:
Hold on one second. One second, Representative
Christ.
The computer just jammed at that. Number 526,
gentlemen, and Number 475. Representative Christ.
You may proceed, Sir.
REP. CHRIST: (11th) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I began with Calendar /1t?li13C Number 526, Number 475, Number 367, Number 530, Number '31)~£1~
353, Number 470, Number 472, Number 274, Number 474, . _'>/~ ~-) 9i
Number 541, Number 403. Mr. Speaker, I move adoption ,:)J31SJ <' 1.. .., L,.... of the Consent Calendar. • ::> (!_:;> ) Jii+ SPEAKER AMANN: _S8 j£2~~2' The question is on adoption. Will the Clerk SlJJ;-. place the following items on the Consent Calendar for ',l /.~ ,~ (lj~ r 1 :JJ·1 _ action, excuse me.
The question before us is passage of the bills on
today's Consent Calendar. My apologies. Will you
remark? Will you remark? If not, let me try your
minds. 006619
tmp 609
House of Representatives May 7, 2008
Staff and guests, please come to the Well of the
House. Members take your seats. The machine will be
opened.
CLERK:
The House of Representatives is voting by Roll'-
Call. Members to the Chamber. The House is voting • today's Consent Calendar by Roll Call. Members to the
Chamber.
SPEAKER AMANN:
Have all the Members voted? Have all the Members
voted? If all the Members have voted, please check
the board and make sure your vote has been properly
cast.
If all Members have voted, the machine will be
locked and the Clerk will take a tally.
Will the Clerk please announce the tally.
CLERK:
On Today's Consent Calendar.
Total Number Voting 150
Necessary for Passage 76
Those voting Yea 150
Those voting Nay 0 006680
tmp 610
House of Representatives May 7, 2008
Those absent and not voting 1
SPEAKER AMANN:
The Consent Calendar passes. Will the Clerk
please call Calendar Number 489.
CLERK:
On Page 19, Calendar Number 489, .substitute for
,Senate Bill Number 281~ AN ACT CONCERNING CAPTIVE
INSURANCE COMPANIES, Favorable Report of the Committee
on Government Administration and Elections.
SPEAKER AMANN:
Representative O'Connor.
REP. 0' CONNOR: ( 3 5th)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move acceptance of the
Joint Committee's Favorable Report and passage of the
bill.
SPEAKER AMANN:
The question is on acceptance of the Joint
committee's Favorable Report and passage of the bill.
Will you remark, Sir?
REP. 0' CONNOR: ( 3 5th)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill permits a
captive insurance company, which is an insurance 006681
tmp 611
House of Representatives May 7, 2008 company owned by the parent that underwrites the insurance needs of the parent's subsidiaries to be licensed and domiciled in Connecticut.
I move for passage.
SPEAKER AMANN:
Will you remark? Will you remark?
REP. 0 I CONNOR: ( 3 5th)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Clerk is in possession of Senate Amendment "A", LCO Number 5077.
I ask that he call it and ask leave to summarize.
CLERK:
Will the Clerk please call LCO Number 5077, which was previously designated Senate Amendment Schedule
"A".
CLERK:
!:'CO_Jil1!!lber 5077, Senate "A", offered by Senator
Crisco.
SPEAKER AMANN:
The Representative seeks leave of the Chamber to
summarize. Is there objection? You may proceed, Sir.
REP. 0 I CONNOR: ( 3 5th) 006682 tmp 612
House of Representatives May 7, 2008
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What this does is it authorizes the use of utilization review funds to implement the registration and licensure.
I move adoption.
SPEAKER AMANN:
The question is on adoption. Will you remark?
Will you remark? If not, let me try your minds. All those in favor please signify by saying Aye.
REPRESENTATIVES:
Aye.
SPEAKER AMANN:
Opposed, Nay. The amendment is adopted. Will you remark further on the bill as amended? Care to remark further? Representative Witkos.
REP. WITKOS: (17th)
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
REP. 0 I CONNOR: ( 3 5th)
I've got one more.
REP. WITKOS: (17th)
I yield to Representative O'Connor.
SPEAKER AMANN:
Representative O'Connor.
0024.42 skb 78
Senate April 29, 2008
Calendar Page 30, Calendar 401, Senate Bill 664 that was previously marked as a consent item, would move to remove that item from the Consent Calendar and to mark it PR.
That is Senate Bill 664, Calendar 401 on Calendar
Page 30.
THE CHAIR:
Hearing and seeing no objection, so ord_~;:~.9..! Sir.
SEN. LOONEY:
Thank you, Mr. President.
THE CHAIR:
Mr. Clerk.
THE CLERK:
Starting the Call of the Calendar, Senate
Calendar for Tuesday, April 29, 2008. Calendar Page
1, Favorable Report, Calendar 88, File 106, --~~_!2_ate__ _
Bill 469, An Act Concerning The Legion Of Christ ··-·~···--- College Of Humanities, Favorable Report of the
Committee on Higher Education. 002lt43
skb 79
Senate April 29, 2008
THE CHAIR:
Senator Hartley.
SEN. HARTLEY:
Good afternoon, Mr. President. I move acceptance of the Joint Committee Favorable Report and passage of the bill, Sir.
THE CHAIR:
Acting on approval, Ma'am, would you like to remark further?
SEN. HARTLEY:
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Mr. President. The bill before us simply gives the authority to the Legion of
Christ to confer associate degrees. This essentially is the final step in their accreditation process which has been going on for a period of almost three years.
They have met all of the requirements as designated by state statute for their accreditation process to confer degrees in the humanities,
Mr. President, and I recommend adoption, Sir. skb 80
Senate April 29, 2008
THE CHAIR:
Thank you, Ma'am. Will you remark further on
Senate Bill 469? Will you remark further on Senate
Bill 469? If not, Mr. Clerk, ~all for a roll call vote. The machine will be open.
THE CLERK:
An immediate roll call has been ordered in the
Senate. Will all Senators please return to the
Chamber.
An immediate roll call has been ordered in the
Senate. Will all Senators please return to the
Chamber.
THE CHAIR:
Have all Senators voted? If all Senators have voted, the machine will be closed. The Clerk will call the tally.
THE CLERK:
Motion is on passage of Senate Bill 469. 002445
skb 81
Senate April 29, 2008
Total number voting, 34; necessary for passage,
18. Those voting "yea", 31; those voting "nay", 3.
Those absent and not voting, 2.
THE CHAIR:
The bill passes. Senator Looney. Hold on,
Mr. Clerk. Senator Looney.
SEN. LOONEY:
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I would move for suspension for an immediate transmittal to the House of Representatives of Calendar 110,
Senate Bill 301 acted on earlier in the session, An
Act Concerning The Department Of Motor Vehicles.
THE CHAIR:
The motion is on suspension. Hearing and seeing no objection, so ordered, Sir.
SEN. LOONEY:
Thank you, Mr. President. So I would move for immediate transmittal of that item.
THE CHAIR:
000603
100 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
REP. ADINOLFI: I think we might even go further with this and maybe we can get our Congressional and House of Representatives basically to do something with the GI Bill to cover this, or maybe we can share it.
But this is something we should look at, because they don't expect it and they get this surprise at the end of semester.
Thank you for--
REP PAWELKIEWICZ: Thank you.
REP. ADINOLFI: --the other bill I'm here for is Raised Senate Bill 469, AN ACT CONCERNING THE ^LEGION OF CHRIST COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES.
You might recall, last year this bill came up in the House for accreditation. It did pass unanimously. Due to time constraints, it just did not come up in the Senate. So we're back here today.
Again, I would like to say that I have had the privilege of knowing the Legionaries for Christ for over 25 years--
REP. HARTLEY: Representative Adinolfi, did you want to have to have someone join you?
REP. ADINOLFI: --a couple of the Fathers and a professor to come up, to hear and perhaps to speak. 000601+
101 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
SEN. HARTLEY: And when they speak if they can just identify themselves for the transcript, that would be helpful.
SEN. ADINOLFI: When they speak they'll identify themselves.
SEN. HARTLEY: Thank you and pardon my interruption. Welcome.
SEN. ADINOLFI: Okay. I've had the privilege of knowing the Legionaries for Christ for over 25 years.
I am extremely proud of the work that they do, for the nation, the state, my district and for the Catholic Church.
They are a worldwide congregation of about 700 Roman Catholic priests and 2,500 seminarians, dedicated to improving our society by the power of the gospel.
For example, both in my family, in my district and in the state, the Legionaries have worked extensively in such areas as youth ministry, family, the media and education.
As a matter of fact, some of you might receive the National Catholic Register, a newspaper of faith and family. That is published under the auspices of Father Owen Kearns, who is the publisher, and he is with the Legionaries of Christ out of Cheshire. 000605
102 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
So that's some of the work that you might see them do that not only supports us in the state, but goes way past us also.
Many of the Legionnaire priests, that are priests and there are about 20 on the staff, will also do masses and do work at the local churches in the Community, help fill in on Sundays or Holy Days, and many of the Brothers also teach Catechism at the local churches.
The Legionaries have applied for accreditation towards an Associate's Degree. They did this about three years ago, and have met all the requirements to complete the licensure area. They had to go through two years of this.
Then they met with the Board of Higher Education after two years, and received unanimous approval to be accredited towards the Associate's Degree by the Connecticut Board of Higher Education.
The Legionaries are not only in my District, but are also my neighbors. Their seminary of about 130 acres is right behind my house development where I live. So I go there quite often, even before I got involved in the Legislature and so on.
Without any hesitation or reservation, I highly recommend that the General Assembly grant them this final approval, and accreditation is recommended by the Connecticut Board of Higher Education. 000606
103 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
I have with me Father Christopher Bracket, Father Antonio Rodriguez. Father Antonio Rodriguez is one of the Professors there. Father Christopher Bracket is one of the Rectors there. Father Joseph Froula is one of the professors there also, that teaches not only at the Legionaries, but also at some of the other seminaries within the State of Connecticut.
I would like Father Bracket to come up here and explain some more detail.
SEN. HARTLEY: Maybe they can just use the microphones in front of them, and they can just identify themselves for the transcript.
FATHER CHRISTOPHER BRACKET: My name is Father Christopher Bracket. I'm the President of our College of Humanities, and I want to thank Senator Hartley and Representative Willis and all the Distinguished Members here of the Higher Education Committee for this opportunity to testify in favor Raised Senate Bill 469.
The Legion of Christ College of Humanities is part of the network of the schools and universities run by the Legion of Christ, a world wide religious order of 700 priests and 2,500 seminaries, dedicated to improving our societies by means of culture and religious programs for children, youth and adults.
The Legion has been running a similar program in Spain from 1958 to the present date. 000607
104 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
Also the Legion of Christ currently runs fifteen universities worldwide and 43 centers of higher education.
Among others, we run the Anahuac University in Mexico City since 1965, the Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid, Spain, the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum since 1993 in Rome, and the University of Europe also in Rome, accredited by the Italian Government in 2005. In the United States, the Legion started the University of Sacramento, California, in 2004.
Since the Legion came to the State of Connecticut in 1964, it has been present in the following places, in Woodmont from 1964-1970, in Orange from 1971-1981, in Cheshire from 1982 to the present date.
During this time, the seminarians have helped the pastors in their parishes by teaching CCD programs, doing this in separate parishes in places like Shelton, Waterbury, New Haven, New Bridgeport and Branford, also running youth camps and youth clubs.
As part of its formation program, the Institution has been offering non-college career courses in religious studies in Humanities from 1991-2004.
On April 19, 2004, the Institution received from the Board of Governors of Higher Education of the State of Connecticut, a censure request 000608
105 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
of the Humanities program and accreditation for five years on the 27th of April, 2007.
The purpose of applying for the Associate's Degree in Classic Humanities is that seminarians may be more adequately prepared to continue their priestly studies. And that those who decide not to pursue their studies for the priesthood, may be able to transfer their credits to any college of their choice.
After leaving our institution in Cheshire, the seminarians go on to continue their education in our Congregations college in Rome or in Thornwood, New York to study philosophy and theology.
And those who don't continue in the area of the priesthood want to be able to select the college of their choice [Gap in testimony. Changing from tape 2A to Tape 2B.]
SEN. HARTLEY: Thank you, Father. Any of your other group that would like to comment?
FATHER JOSEF FROULA: My name is Josef Froula. I am a Professor of Literature at the College of Humanities of the Legionaries of Christ. Senator Hartley and Members of the Higher Education Committee, it is an honor for me to offer you this testimony on their behalf.
My address will consist of a summation of my experience as a lay professor in this institution of higher learning. 000609
106 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
I was introduced to the Legionaries of Christ in the late 1980s. I was completing my undergraduate education in Southern California where Legionary priests were running camps and boys' clubs for the youth in the greater Los Angeles area.
So impressed was I with their zeal and dedication and genuine concern for these young people, that I knew that I had to be a part of their efforts in some way.
In 1992 I was hired to teach at one of their high schools, now located in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. Since 1997 I have held my current position in Cheshire at the College of Humanities.
My address will consider briefly my perspective on three essential parts of our college, the curriculum, the students, and the faculty. I hope to treat these in a way that will be helpful to you.
First, the curriculum. One of our greatest strengths is the integration of the disciplines.
Because our school is small, we have the ability to relate each subject to the whole and show how the parts are connected.
For example, I have the opportunity to teach literature and composition to the same students in such a way that each complements the other. 000610
107 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
Most often, the essays assigned are about the literary words we read. Also, because in the first year of Humanities, all students study history, art, and literature, they are able to see how the movements of each influence the others.
In addition, all the parts of our curriculum are presented with a view to preparing our students as effective preachers, counselors, and educators.
In light of this, the Humanities, which comprise the greatest things that human beings have made and done, consider the human condition and culture in such a way that the needs of society can be addressed most efficaciously.
Second, the students. As a professor in the classroom, I benefit in a particular way from the Legionaries' philosophy of education.
Because the students view their own education not merely as an assimilation of information, but as a formation in the habits of judgment and reason, they are particularly zealous and motivated.
I am pleasantly surprised by the keen interest they show in everything from punctuation to Petrarch. When I rise in the morning, the first thing that I want to do is to go to class, so I can teach and learn and form my students. 00061 I
108 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
Third, the faculty. For the past 16 years, it has always been my joy to work with and for the Legionaries of Christ. They have provided excellent training for me as a teacher.
Although they have always insisted on high standards, they have also been understanding and patient with my shortcomings. This is the same attitude that I endeavor to bring to the classroom.
I would also like to add that they offer excellent salaries and benefits, which attracts and retains highly qualified professors.
As high as my opinion is of my teaching experience, institutions rarely improve by being praised, and there is always room for improvement.
This is why the accreditation process has been so beneficial to us.
The changes that we have made at the suggestion of the Board of Higher Education have enhanced our program considerably. The addition of the mathematics requirement, for example, has added strength and balance to the curriculum.
Accreditation affords the assurance of oversight from the Board of Higher Education and will allow the students who do not continue as Legionaries to transfer their credits to other colleges. This would be an immense benefit to us. 000612
109 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
I thank you for this opportunity to speak to you, and I would be happy to elaborate on any of these points and answer whatever questions you may have.
SEN. HARTLEY: Thank you. Questions from Members of the Committee. Yes, Representative Giuliano.
REP. GIULIANO: Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you Representative Adinolfi, Father Rodriguez, Father Bracket, Professor Froula.
A lot of testimony, but this is really a simple task, I take it, simply to offer some eligibility to transfer credits to other institutions of higher education. And at this point in time, over the course of a rather long process, you have satisfied all the scrutinies of the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and the Board of Governors of Higher Education, would that be a correct summation?
REP. ADINOLFI: That is correct.
REP. GIULIANO: Thank you, and I appreciate your presence and your testimony here today. You offer a wonderful alternative to our compliment of higher education, and it sounds like we simply need to partner with you in the means of formality since you have successfully passed your scrutinies.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.
SEN. HARTLEY: Thank you, Representative Giuliano. Further questions? If not, it looks like, yes 000613
110 krs HIGHER EDUCATION AND March 4, 2008 EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT
the Department of Higher Ed says it's a go. So thank you very much for being with us.
REP. ADINOLFI: Thank you for having us here.
SEN. HARTLEY: Thank you, Representative Adinolfi.
REP. ADINOLFI: I might add that two years ago, maybe about 20 Legislators did go down to the Legionaries. We had a non-denominational service and a nice lunch, a nice tour, it was really a nice day, and all of them really enjoyed it and we're very happy with what they saw.
I think you'll all be hearing from some of them. Thank you again.
SEN. HARTLEY: Thank you once again. We would like to invite Sandy Bushmish, who is going to testify on, no, I'm being told no. This is good news so we move on.
Representative Michael Alberts. We'd love to hear from everybody, but the clock is ticking.
REP. ALBERTS: Good afternoon, Chairperson Hartley, and Chairperson, Co-chair Representative Willis, Ranking Member Giuliano, Members of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee.
I am State Representative Mike Alberts. I'm here to testify in support of Raised Senate Bill 410, AN ACT CONCERNING THE WAIVER OF FEES FOR VETERANS AT COMMUNITY-TECHNICAL COLLEGES, 000783
H>tate of Connecticut HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STATE CAPITOL HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1591
REPRESENTATIVE AL ADINOLFI ONE HUNDRED THIRD DISTRICT RANKING MEMBER SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGING
235 SORGHUM MILL DRIVE CHESHIRE. CONNECTICUT 06410 MEMBER APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HOME: (203)272-9701 JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CAPITOL: (860)240-8700 HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE TOLL FREE: 1-800-842-1423 FAX: (860)240-8700 E-MAIL: [email protected] Testimony of State Representative Alfred Adinolfi In Support of S.B. 469, An Act Concerning the Legion of Christ College of Humanities
Before the Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement March 4, 2008
Senator Hartley, Representative Willis, and distinguished members of the Higher Education Committee, I thank you for the opportunity to testify in favor of S.B. 469
I hav e had the privilege of k nowing the Legionaries of Christ for over twenty five years, and I am extremely proud of the work they do - for the nation, state, my district, and the Catholic Church. They are a world-wide congregation of about 700 Roman Catholic priests and twenty-five hundred seminarians dedicated to improving our society by the power of the Gospel. For example, both in my district and in the state, the Legionaries have worked extensively in such areas as youth ministry, the family, the media, and education. The Editor of the National "Catholic Register" and the magazine "Faith Makes a Family" is published under the auspices of the Legionaries of Christ at their facility in North Haven. Also, many Legionary priests from the seminary preside at Mass at many of the local churches. Some of the Brothers also teach Catechism at the local Churches. For the past twenty five years, they have maintained a seminary in C heshire, in which there are currently over one hundred and twenty seminarians in addition to staff. The legionaries have applied for accreditation to award an associate degree to eligible seminarians. They have completed their required two years into the program. The Legionaries were granted unanimous approval to receive full accreditation for their associate's degree program by the State of Connecticut Board Of H igher Education last year. The Legionaries are not only in my district, but are also my neighbors. I attend services and masses there very often. Without any hesitation or reservations I highly rec ommend that the general assembly grant them this final approval and accreditation as recommended by the Connecticut Board of Higher Education. Thank you for listening to me. I would be happy to answer any questions. 000785
College of Humanities of the Legionaries of Christ M Senator Hartley, Representative Wills, and distinguished members of the Higher Education Committee: My name is Josef Froula. I am a professor of Literature at the College of Humanities of the Legionaries oFChrist. It is an honor for me to offer you this testimony on their behalf. My address will consist of a summation of my experience as a lay professor in this institution of higher learning. I was introduced to the Legionaries of Christ in the late 80's. I was completing my undergraduate education in Southern California where Legionary priests were running camps and boys' clubs for the youth in the greater Los Angeles area. So impressed was I with their zeal and dedication and genuine concern for these young people, that I knew that I had to be a part of their efforts in some way. In 1992 I was hired to teach at one of their high schools, now located in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. Since 1997 I have held my current position in Cheshire at the College of Humanities. My address will consider briefly my perspective on three essential parts of our college: the curriculum, the students, and the faculty. I hope to treat of these in a way that will be helpful to you. First: the curriculum. One of our greatest strengths is the integration of the disciplines. Because our school is small, we have the ability to relate each subject to the whole and show how the parts are connected. For example, I have the opportunity to teach Literature and composition to the same students in such a way that each complements the other. Most often, the essays assigned are about the literary works that we read. Also, because in the first year of Humanities, all students study history, art, and literature, they are able to see how the movements of each influence the others. In addition, all the parts of our curriculum are presented with a view to preparing our students as effective preachers, counselors, and educators. In light of this, the Humanities, which comprise the greatest things that human beings have made and done, consider the human condition and culture in such a way that the needs of society can be addressed in the most efficacious way. 000786
Second, the students. As a professor in classroom, I benefit in a particular way from the Legionaries' philosophy of education. Because the students view their own education not merely as an assimilation of information, but as a formation in the habits of judgment and reason, they are particularly zealous and motivated. I am pleasantly surprised by the keen interest they show in everything from punctuation to Petrarch. When I rise in the morning, the first thing that I want to do is go to class so that I can teach and learn from my students. Third, the faculty. For the past 16 years, it has always been a joy to work with and for the Legionaries of Christ. They have provided excellent training for me as teacher. Although they have always insisted on high standards, they have also been understanding and patient with my shortcomings. This is the same attitude that I endeavor to bring to the classroom. I would also like to add that they offer excellent salaries and benefits, which attracts and retains highly qualified professors. As high as my opinion is of my teaching experience, institutions rarely improve by being praised, and there is always room for improvement. This is why the accreditation process has been so beneficial to us. The changes that we have made at the suggestion of Board of Higher Education have enhanced our program considerably. The addition of the mathematics requirement, for example, has added strength and balance to the curriculum. Accreditation affords the assurance of oversight form the Board of Higher Education and will allow the students who do not continue as Legionaries to transfer their credits to other colleges. This would be an immense benefit to us. I thank you for this opportunity to speak to you and I would be happy to elaborate on any of these points and to answer whatever questions you may have. 000806
LEGION OF CHRIST COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES 475 Oak Ave. Cheshire, CT, 06410 Phone 203 271 0805
TESTIMONY ON BEHALF OF S.B. 469
Senator Hartley, Representative Wills, and distinguished members of the Higher Education Committee, I thank you for the opportunity to testify in favor of S.B. 469.
The Legion of Christ College of Humanities is part of the network of schools and universities run by the Legion of Christ, a world-wide religious order of 700 Roman Catholic priests and 2500 seminarians dedicated to improving our society by means of cultural and religious programs for children, youth, and adults.
The Legion has been runing a similar program in Spain from 1958 to the present date. Also, the Legion of Christ currently runs 15 universities world-wide, and 43 centers of Higher education. Among others it runs the Anahuac University in Mexico city since 1964, the Francisco Vitoria university in Madrid, Spain, The Pontifical university "Regina Apostolorum" (since 1993), and the University of Europe in Rome, accredited by the Italian Government in 2005. In the United States the Legion started the University of Sacramento. CA in 2004.
Since the Legion came to the state of Connecticut in 1964, it has been present in the following places: Woodmontfrom 1964 to 1970, Orange from 1971 to 1981, and Cheshire, from 1982 to the present. During this time the seminarians have helped the pastors in their parishes by teaching CCD programs, doing a census of the parishioners in places like Shelton, Waterbury, North Haven, New Britain, Bridgeport, and Brandford, also running youth camps and youth clubs.
As part of its formation program the institution has been offering non-college credit courses in religious studies and humanities from 1991 to 2004. On April 19, 2004 the institution received from the Board of Governors of Higher Education of the state of Connecticut a licensure of the Classical Humanities program, and accreditation for five years on 27 April, 2007. The purpose of applying for the Associate degree in Classical Humanities is that the seminarians may be more adequately prepared to continue their priestly studies and that those who decide not to pursue the studies for the priesthood may be able to transfer their credits to any college of their choice. After leaving the institution in Cheshire, the seminarians go either to the Congregation's college in Rome, Italy or to Thornwood, in New York, for degree study in Philosophy and Theology or they go to any college of their choice.
Currently there are 120 students in the college. They would be very thankful to you for the approval of the charter with your support for S.B. 469. 000830
STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Testimony by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education Before the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee 11:30 a.m.-LOB IE SR HQSft 4/P Sft Tuesday, March 4,2008 ^
S.B. 91 (Raised) An Act Concerning Full Carryover Authority for the Capitol Scholarship Program The Capitol Scholarship Program is the State's only need- and merit-based grant program. State residents in the top 20% of their graduating classes or achieving a score of 1800 on the SAT are eligible for a maximum grant of $3,000 for in-state institutions of higher education and $500 for out-of-state institutions in states with reciprocal agreements. The states are the District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Due to the varying rate of student attrition from year to year coupled with the availability of federal funds which are expended first, the program may have unexpended funds at the end of the year. The current statute allows for five percent of these funds to be carried forward to the next year. Any remaining funds must lapse back to the general fund. The lapsing of this money is contrary to legislative intent, which is to provide scholarships to state residents. In addition, we run the risk of having federal funds reduced because the federal funding formula is based on the program meeting both a maintenance of effort amount and spending more money each year than the last. Current federal funding is over $900,000 and the availability of carryover funds helps ensure that more scholarships are paid in the succeeding year to meet the federal limits. A full carryover provision would allow the funds to be awarded as scholarships the following year, make the best use of the state funding and avoid the potential loss of federal dollars.
H.B. 5511 (Raised) An Act Concerning Charter Oak State College in the Connecticut Aid to Public College Students Grant Program This bill changes the basis for the request for funding of Charter Oak's Connecticut Aid to Public College Students Grant from the estimated tuition waiver set-aside of the previous fiscal year to the actual tuition waiver set-aside of the fiscal year two years prior. The Department has suggested this change because it both sets the Charter Oak funding request on actual tuition set- aside expenditures instead of estimated, and it puts Charter Oak on the same basis as the other constituent units in this program.
S.B. 411 (Raised) An Act Concerning A Merit Based Scholarship Program for Connecticut High School Students Scoring in the Top Twenty-Five Percent of the CAPT Test Offering scholarships to encourage and reward students to perform well academically often results in success. We believe that the intention of this bill to encourage students to achieve high levels of competency on the CAPT test, successfully complete high school and enroll in a Connecticut college has some merit and is not unlike the concept behind the Help and Opportunity to Pursue Education (HOPE) program which was authorized back in 1994 under C.G.S. Section 10a-17b but never funded and our federal Gear-Up initiatives.
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The Department would be happy to assist you in this effort and report back to you with recommendations on whether adjustments to the current array of programs and/or financial aid policies are warranted. If there is an added concern that Community College transfers may not be aware of the opportunities for financial aid or how to apply for it once they transfer, we would be happy to coordinate a communications initiative with the higher education community to ensure that prospective transfers are getting the information they need in a timely fashion.
S.B. 410 (Raised) An Act Concerning the Waiver of Fees for Veterans at the Community- Technical Colleges, the Connecticut State University System and the University of Connecticut While the Department fully supports financial assistance to veterans attending our public colleges, it is important to recognize that the state does not provide funding to cover the cost of these waivers. Therefore, the full burden of making up for the tuition revenue loss falls to the other students in the form of higher tuition. There is a provision in the statute that calls for reimbursement of the cost of waivers that exceed 2.5 percent of tuition revenue at the University of Connecticut and Connecticut State University, and five percent within the Community- Technical College system, but funds for this purpose have never been appropriated. The estimated cost or revenue loss associated with the existing waivers tuition waivers for veterans is over $6.4 million a year. Expanding these waivers to include fees would cost an additional $2.5 million, or almost $9 million in total. We would support this proposal if the bill would include a provision to reimburse the full cost of these waivers.
S.B. 469 (Raised) An Act Concerning the Legion of Christ College of Humanities The Department of Higher Education strongly supports the intention of this bill, which is to grant a charter to Legion of Christ College of Humanities and thereby to grant the College authority to confer Associate of Arts degrees. This authorization will be the final step, as defined under 10a- 34 (c), to enable the College to award degrees.
The Board of Governors for Higher Education licensed the Legion of Christ College of Humanities and an Associate of Arts degree in Classical Humanities, without stipulations, in April 2003. That licensure was granted as the result of a thorough academic review of the College and the program. The Board of Governors accredited the College and the program in Classical Humanities in April 2007 for a period of time concurrent with institutional accreditation. That accreditation came as the result of a second thorough academic review of the College and the Classical Humanities program. The Department of Higher Education believes it is now time to grant a charter to the College and to grant it authorization to confer the degrees defined by this bill.
H.B. 5685 (Raised) An Act Concerning an Appropriation to Provide Assistance and Access to Schools of Veterinary Medicine Legislation was passed for Fiscal Year 2008 that provided $100,000 in funding to the Department of Higher Education for the purpose of assisting Connecticut residents who want to pursue an education in veterinary medicine. Working through the University of Connecticut, proposals were solicited from domestic AVMA-accredited institutions that would establish positions for guaranteed admission of qualified Connecticut residents.