Board of Regents Policy Policy on Required Training for Members of the Board of Regents

The effective governance of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system depends on a BOR that is well-informed about its legal responsibilities, the scope of its authority, and the institutions it oversees. Mandatory onboarding for newly appointed Regents ensures that each member begins service with a working understanding of the system's mission, organizational structure, governing statutes, and BOR policies, as well as the fiduciary, ethical, and legal obligations related to public board service. 

This policy establishes onboarding as a baseline requirement in recognition that an informed board is better positioned to exercise sound judgment, provide meaningful oversight, engage productively in deliberation, and act in the best interests of the system and the students it serves. Consistent onboarding also promotes continuity of institutional knowledge across changes in BOR membership and reduces the risk of governance failures attributable to unfamiliarity with applicable law, policy, or process. This policy is also intended to fulfill the policy obligations under Public Act 22-16.

CSCU: Collectively, or singularly, any of the following institutions: Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, Connecticut State Community College, Charter Oak State College, and the CSCU System Office.

1. General Provisions
   
   CSCU shall provide the following training and education to newly appointed or elected members of the Board of Regents for Higher Education:
   1. Duties to the state and CSCU, including mission, vision, and goals
   2. The functions of all board committees
   3. Professional accounting and reporting standards
   4. Methods for meeting the statutory, regulatory and fiduciary obligations of the BOR
   5. Provisions of the Freedom of Information Act
   6. Institutional and statutory ethical responsibilities
   7. The development and implementation of institutional policies
   8. Higher education business operations, administration, budgeting, financing, financial reporting, financial reserves and endowment management
   9. Student tuition, mandatory fees and student debt trends
   10. Oversight of CSCU’s planning, construction, maintenance, expansion and renovation of projects that impact the infrastructure, physical facilities and natural environment
   11. Workforce planning, strategy and investment
   12. Institutional advancement, including, but not limited to, philanthropic giving, fundraising initiatives, alumni programming, communications and media, government and public relations and community affairs
   13. Student welfare issues, including, but not limited to, academic studies, curriculum, residence life, student governance and activities and the general physical and mental well-being of students
   14. Current and anticipated issues in higher education, including Title IX and other civil rights compliance
   15. Any other topics the BOR deems necessary
2. Timely Completion
   
   CSCU Board Affairs, in coordination with CSCU Compliance, shall produce and publish a regent onboarding schedule outlining the timing and modality of all regent education. The schedule shall at a minimum cover the topics required by this policy and mandate which trainings must be completed within three months, six months, or twelve months of beginning service.
3. Ongoing Education
   
   CSCU Board Affairs shall facilitate ongoing education for the regents ensuring they are adequately informed on changes to law or regulation, CSCU operations, and emerging trends in state and national higher education.
4. Posting Requirement
   
   The Board of Regents for Higher Education will post a summary of the instruction and training received by the members on the CSCU BOR website.

Monitoring

The CSCU System Office of Compliance will monitor compliance with the required training outlined in this policy.