Regents Chair Ryan stepping back from Board duties.

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Board of Regents Chair JoAnn Ryan  “notified Vice Chair McCarthy and Chancellor Cheng that she would be stepping back from her Board duties for several weeks to focus on getting some much-needed rest after exceptionally busy times both at CSCU and at Northwestern CT Chamber of Commerce.”

The announcement was shared with Regents and others on Tuesday. Ryan made her announcement to McCarthy and Cheng last week. Ryan’s break from duties comes at an intense time for CSCU as it attempts to navigate the disagreement between Governor Ned Lamont and some legislative leaders over higher education funding.

Those “exceptionally busy times” referred to in the message sent by Associate Director of Board Affairs Pam Heleen have not included scrutinizing high lever hiring decisions by Cheng, who has shown a distinct taste for cronyism. The Regents have refused to require him to conduct traditional searches to find the most qualified candidates to work for the system.

Ryan’s stepping back is expected to last for several weeks. In the meantime, the Board’s affairs will be handled by McCarthy and Heleen, according to Heleen.

Published April 19, 2024.