Board of Regents Policy Policy on the Appointment and Evaluation of CSCU Chancellor

Appointment and Duties of Chancellor (referred to as President)

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 10a-1b(a) the Board of Regents for Higher Education (“BOR”) appoints the Chancellor¹ of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities who serves at the pleasure of the BOR.

The Chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities has the statutory authority (1) to implement the policies, directives and rules of the BOR and any additional responsibilities as the BOR may prescribe, (2) implement the goals identified in Connecticut General Statutes § 10a-11c and recommendations made pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 10a-11b, (3) build interdependent support among the Connecticut State University System, the CT State Community College² and Charter Oak State College, (4) balance central authority with institutional differentiation, autonomy and creativity, and (5) facilitate cooperation and synergy among the Connecticut State University System, CT State Community College and Charter Oak State College.

In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 10a-1b, the Chancellor’s executive staff is responsible for the operation of the BOR. The executive staff is under the direction of the Chancellor, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the BOR.

Delegation

The BOR delegates full authority and responsibility to the Chancellor consistent with the duties of Chief Executive Officer to take actions required for the CSCU System to function appropriately in accordance with BOR policy, system procedures, guidelines and applicable federal and state law, including but not limited to:

1. Following any BOR action required by BOR policy, signing and execution of all legal and financial documents on behalf of the BOR, including contracts, agreements, and other legal papers;

2. Sub-delegating the Chancellor’s authority to staff under the Chancellor’s direct supervision, as appropriate; and

3. Appointment of staff as is deemed necessary, including, but not limited to, temporary assistants and consultants.

The BOR’s delegation to the CSCU Chancellor is conditioned upon ongoing compliance with applicable statutes and law, BOR policies, CSCU System procedures, guidelines, and all applicable state and federal regulations. This delegation expires upon termination of the Chancellor’s employment or as otherwise determined by the BOR.

Evaluation of CSCU Chancellor

The BOR fulfills one of its most important responsibilities in appointing the Chancellor of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and that responsibility implies an equally important responsibility to review and assess the performance of the Chancellor. The BOR shall have a systematic, periodic, and well-defined procedure to utilize in support of the Chancellor’s evaluation.

The evaluation of the Chancellor shall be completed annually. Each year there shall be an evaluation by the Chair. A comprehensive/360 evaluation shall be conducted every three (3) years. The Chair will develop procedures as necessary to complete these evaluations.

The BOR will set general evaluation criteria for review and these criteria may change from time to time depending on the needs of the CSCU System. In addition, the Chancellor, in consultation with the BOR, shall establish annual performance goals and objectives. The evaluation criteria and annual goals should be consistent with the key objectives of the BOR and the educational mission of the CSCU System. The Chancellor’s evaluation will, in part, be based upon the extent to which the Chancellor met or exceeded the agreed upon performance goals.

The Chancellor will prepare a self-assessment, to be submitted to the BOR Chair approximately one (1) month prior to the evaluation meeting. The Chancellor’s self-assessment will include a review of their tenure in office, the established performance goals, and the progress and/or problems in fulfilling the agreed-upon goals and key CSCU System objectives.

The BOR Chair will obtain input they deem necessary regarding the Chancellor’s performance. The BOR Chair shall consolidate this feedback and utilize the information in the overall evaluation of the Chancellor. The BOR Chair may utilize appropriate means to facilitate the gathering of this input.

The BOR Chair, any others they may designate, and the Chancellor will hold a meeting to discuss the results of the evaluation and agree upon goals for the next evaluation period.

¹ BOR Resolution 23-054, dated June 28, 2023, established that the title “President of Connecticut State Colleges & Universities” shall be changed to “Chancellor of Connecticut State Colleges & Universities.”

² Formerly, “regional community-technical college system.”