Pd E;Mpticut University
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
pd E;mpticut - Universityw P.0, Box 2008,New Britain, Connecticut 06050 (203)827-7700 al m Eastern . Southern rn Western RESOLUTION concerning A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THE NEED TO CONSTRUCT A DOWNTOWN FACILITY IN NEW BRITAIN November 4, 1988 WHEREAS, Special Act No. 87-81 provided for the appropriation to the Connecticut State University of $100,000 to conduct a feasibility study of the need to construct a downtown facility in the City of New Britain to be occupied by Central Connecticut State University, and WHEREAS, The committee established by Special Act No. 87-81 has met from September 1987 to October 1988 to discuss and explore the feasibility of a facility in downtown New Britain, and WHEREAS, The committee hired the consulting firm of M & H group who conducted more than 100 interviews with business, industry, government official, health care providers, and the University community and received their final report in September 1988, and WHEREAS, The committee reviewed the consultant's report, wrote its own report and approved the final report at its meeting of October 20, 1988, now, be- it RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees for Connecticut State University accepts the final report of the Downtown New Britain Feasibility Committee pursuant to Special Act No. 87-81. A Certified True Copy: President An Equal Opportunity Employer a Central Connecticut State University A campus of Connect~cutState Un~vers~ty New Br~ta~n.Connecticut 06050 Office of the President @ (203)827-7203 October 21, 1988 TO: The Honorable William A. OtNeill,Governor Members of the Connecticut General Assembly FROM: John W. Shumaker President and I am pleased to transmit to you the final report of the Committee established by Special Act 87-81 in 1987 to study the feasibility of establishing a Continuing Education Center in downtown New Britain for Central Connecticut State University. The Committee's recommendation reflects broad consultation with members of the community, including business, industry and government; faculty and staff of Central Connecticut State University, and other specific constituencies who could contribute to or be affected by, the presence of such a center in the downtown area. If there is a common thread running through the Committee's recommendations it is outreach. As Central Connecticut State University approaches ever more closely the status of a truly comprehensive University, it plans vigorously and @ creatively to explore a number of ways for reaching out to the citizens of Connecticut. The University will, of course, retain its commitment to the best tradition of the liberal arts and professional education; but it will also strive to help the community and its institutions derive fuller benefit from the resources of the University's strong faculty and staff. Clearly, the list of recommendations and suggestions presented in the report is ambitious. But the Committee believes that the creation of a Central Connecticut State University Educational Center in Downtown New Britain will significantly enhance the University's efforts to fulfill its ongoing and expanding educational and public service objectives. The Committee also recognizes the need for additional planning. Accordingly, we recommend that the creation of a downtown facility be referred for further development to the President of Central Connecticut State University, the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University system, and the Board of Governors. We are happy and honored to have played any role in exploring the many ways in which this fine campus can grow and develop to the benefit of the entire state of Connecticut. An Equal Opportunity Employer Membership of the Committee to Study The Feasibility of a Downtown New Britain Facility for Central Connecticut State University Dr. John W. Shumaker, Chairman President, Central Connecticut State University Mr. Lawrence J. Davidson Chairman, Board of Trustees Connecticut State University Dr. Norma Foreman Glasgow Commissioner of Higher Education State of Connecticut The Honorable Joseph H. Harper Connecticut Senate The Honorable Raymond Joyce Connecticut House of Representatives Dr. Richard L. Judd Executive Dean, Central Connecticut State University Mrs. EUen Long Secretary, Board of Trustees Connecticut State University Mr. William McCue President , McCue Mortgage Co., New Britain The Honorable William McNamara Mayor, City of New Britain Mr. William We ber Attorney, Weber and Marshall, New Britain Mr. Timothy Con way (resigned) Investment Officer, BTNA, Hartford Committee Staff, Central Connecticut State University Ms. Carolyn Thorn berry Sullivan, Administrative Director Dr. Richard L. Pattenaude, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas Flaherty, Director of Planning The Feasibilitv of a Downtown New Britain Facility for ~enGalConnecticut State Uriiversity In June of 1987, the Connecticut General Assembly enacted Special Act 87-81, which established an eleven member committee to study the feasibility of developing and con- structing an academic and continuing education center facility in downtown New Britain to be occupied by Central Connecticut State University. The study was to assess the fea- sibility of establishing such a facility in light of (1) the potential enhancement of Central Connecticut State University's educational programs and public service partnerships; (2) the benefits to the economic health of New Britain of an expansion of the University into the downtown area; and (3) the facility needs of Central Connecticut State University and the impact on the University and its students of the creation of a downtown campus extension. The membership of the committee included the following appointments: one member appointed by the governor; one member appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate; one member appointed by the speaker of the House; two members appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University; two members appointed by the President of Central Connecticut State University; two members appointed by the Mayor of the city of New Britain; The Commissioner of Higher Education and the Mayor of New Britain, or their designees. The Special Act required that state and local government officials, local employers, and labor and civic groups be consulted as part of the study. The legislation also required the committee to present its report to the Governor and General Assembly not later than June 1, 1988. In April, 1988, however, the Committee requested and was granted an @ extension of the fling date until December 1.5, 1988. Summary of Committee Activities The Committee met for the first time in September 1987 at the call of Dallas Bed, President of Connecticut State University. President Bed and Central Connecticut State University President John Shumaker reviewed the charge to the Committee and John Shumaker was selected as Chairman. The Committee has met monthly since then (with the exception of July, 1988) and has engaged in a variety of fact finding discussions with diverse groups in the New Britain community. These have included presentations from the Municipal Action Council of New Britain, the Social Service agencies of New Britain, the New Britain Museum, the New Britain Opera, the New Britain Greater Arts Council, the New Britain Library, the Mayor's office, New Britain General Hospital, and representatives of the Labor Community. The Committee reviewed discussion papers from the staff of Central Connecticut State University. These documents, based upon exploratory discussions with faculty, staff and the community, have defined possible ways for the University and organizations in the New Britain region to collaborate in new programs or initiatives. The proposals have included the following: a center for the Health Professions in cooperation with New Britain General Hospital and other area health care facilities; a center for Regional Business Development' developed by CCSU in cooperation with the New Britain Chamber of Commerce and the Municipal Action Council; a center for Public Policy Studies; a center for School Development; a center for Arts in Education; a center for Manufacturing Sciences; a center for Hospitality Management to be developed in collaboration with several regional community colleges; and a center for Labor Studies. Discussion among involved faculty and community groups must be continued to explore further and develop the ideas contained in these interesting proposals. In December, 1987, the Committee retained the consulting firm, M&H Group, Inc. of Boulder, Colorado and Washington, D.C., headed by Dr. Jana Matthews. The consultants assisted the committee in its deliberation by: identifying and discussing relevant issues with aJl participants; assessing campus needs and resources; assessing community needs and resources; identifying and evaluating program alternatives; and assisting in the preparation of final report. M&H presented a preliminary report in August, 1988 and delivered the final report in September, 1988. The committee accepted the M&H Final Report at its meeting on September 26, 1988. This report was a critical component of the committee's analyses and deliberations. Recommendations The Committee's recommendations made in this report are based upon careful consid- eration of the complementary needs of the University and community. The Committee and the University administration deem them to be both viable and reasonable, and to address existing needs within the community. The Committee's primary conclusion