Sen. Harding Blasts “Tone-deaf” CT Higher Ed Chancellor’s Wasteful Spending

October 24, 2024

CT lawmakers call for probe, freeze of CSCU chancellor’s ‘troubling’ spending after CT Insider report

Hearst CT

Oct 24, 2024

Legislative leaders on Thursday called the spending spelled out in a CT Insider investigation by the leader of the state’s largest public college system “tone deaf” and “troubling” — and announced they plan to open an independent probe into Chancellor Terrence Cheng’s spending and benefits, ordered the college system to turn over all records of the leader’s spending within 10 days and called on the system’s governing board to freeze his ability to charge anything until records are released.

Cheng, meanwhile, pledged to change his spending habits.

“The spending of the CSCU Chancellor is troubling and raises questions about whether state rules or laws have been violated — and is compounded because of the fiscal stresses on CSCU’s schools, students and faculty,” said a joint statement released hours after CT Insider published the investigation online from House Speaker Matt Ritter, House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, House Chair of the Appropriations Committee Rep. Toni Walker and Co-Chair of the Higher Education Committee Rep. Gregg Haddad.

“We are concerned that public documents have not been turned over for review,” the statement said, referring to numerous records not released to CT Insider during its investigation.

That investigation found Cheng charged for dozens of expensive meals and a handful of chauffeured rides.

Cheng also lives in New York, in a community neighboring Connecticut, despite his employment contract anticipating that he would move to Connecticut full time by providing him money to move here and a monthly allowance for an official residence.

CT Insider also discovered a host of spending that college officials have acknowledged likely violated state rules, university policies and tax-reporting requirements, including: alcohol being expensed; having someone drive his state vehicle who is not authorized or insured to do so; missing receipts for numerous expenses; and the system failing to keep accurate track of the personal use of his state car, which led to him not paying correct taxes on that benefit. He also used his state credit card dozens of times to pay for meals exceeding the university’s standard cap of $50 per person; but the rules say senior leadership can make exceptions.

Gov. Ned Lamont in Hartford Thursday afternoon during remarks to reporters said: “I haven’t been able to do more than read the article at this point, but at a time where the community colleges are really working hard to keep within a budget, you’ve got to lead by example. I think that we’re going to have somebody take a good hard look at all the expenses there, do an audit so we have some confidence that the money has been well spent.”

Lamont confirmed he spoke with Ritter.

“I think he was concerned. He says ‘look, a lot of students feel in some distress given the high cost of education, let’s say, in the CSCU system in this case, I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to make sure the money goes in the classroom, not something else.’”
Still, Lamont said he has confidence in Cheng. “I do, but we’re going to trust, but verify.” Asked what he feels about $60 steaks: “Hmm. Sounds a little pricey to me.”

Other lawmakers raised concerns.

“The tone deaf champagne tastes of Chancellor Cheng are not a good look for the chancellor or for the CSCU system,” said Senate Republican Minority Leader Stephen Harding. “It should frustrate anyone who reads about it. It smacks of arrogance and disrespect for taxpayers, students, and students’ families alike … What this reveals is what we now must view as an opportunity for comprehensive reform at CSCU. That starts with reining in this ridiculous and excessive spending. That starts with transparency and accountability.”

House Republican Minority Leader Vincent Candelora said he’s been hearing for months from whistleblowers about the Chancellor’s spending and said he’s concerned with Cheng’s leadership and is calling for an audit of his spending habits.

“I wholeheartedly think it’s inappropriate,” he said of the spending and benefits.

He is also calling for credit card purchases across all state agencies and public colleges to be published online so there is greater transparency and accountability for such spending.

During the system’s governing board regularly-scheduled meeting, the board’s chair announced he has ordered the chancellor to change his spending habits, and Cheng said he plans to do so.

“This is one of those moments — right — where you learn as you’re doing your job,” he said. “Just because we’re allowed to do something doesn’t mean we should do it, right. Just because it’s permissible doesn’t mean it’s necessarily going to be viewed as appropriate.”

During Thursday’s meeting, the professor who leads the system’s Faculty Advisory Committee, admonished Cheng for his spending while faculty and students struggle.

“Nobody bought (us) dry rub steaks. Nobody paid for a car service,” said Brendan Cunningham, an economics professor and non-voting member of the Board of Regents. “All I can tell my colleagues is that I am disappointed and astounded, and I hope that very soon, accountability and karma will come knocking for those who are turning their backs on our communities.”

https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/ct-colleges-cscu-terrence-cheng-19860436.php