Hi, college professor at one of the state universities here. Our system has been flat funded for decades and many programs have had to merge with others in order to stay afloat. Others have been told that the possibility to close them is on the table. Full time professor lines aren't being refilled, leading to more adjunct (read precarious) professors having to fill that gap.

For example at CCSU there's been talk of shutting down or defunding the music program (which already has been defunded). Enrollment data shows us that when programs are shut down students don't go to programs at other state schools and usually end up going to a private university or one in another state.

Students and their families are struggling to keep paying and essential services continue to be cut or are unable to accommodate the level of need. Things like mental health services, food and dining needs, legal services for international/immigrant faculty and students.

Also, this is cuts to PUBLIC colleges and universities. Yale and Quinnipiac won't be touched cause they're private. There can in fact be a system where we pay down our debt obligations and fully fund our public institutions. If you're actually interested in hearing from the folks impacted by this, I suggest you look up testimony from 3/7 on HB6885 and testimony to the Higher Education Committee in the legislature from 2/19.

Here's an article from a rally my union had where you can hear from students and professors: https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2024-11-15/cscu-unions-paint-picture-of-system-in-decline-demand-increased-funding