Next Generation Connecticut

Next Generation Connecticut. This was a major legislative and investment initiative signed into law in 2013, designed to significantly expand educational, research, and innovation capacity within the state's flagship university. Championed by then-Governor Dannel Malloy and passed by the Connecticut General Assembly, the program aimed to bolster the state's economic competitiveness by investing in high-demand STEM fields, upgrading infrastructure, and increasing enrollment. The initiative represented a strategic partnership between state government, higher education, and private industry to foster long-term economic growth.

Background and legislative history

The initiative was developed in response to broader economic challenges following the Great Recession, with state leaders seeking to leverage public investment in higher education as an engine for job creation and technological advancement. The proposal was a central component of Governor Dannel Malloy's 2013 legislative agenda, building upon earlier investments in the University of Connecticut and the state's Bioscience Connecticut initiative. After debate in the Connecticut General Assembly, the bill garnered bipartisan support and was signed into law in June 2013. The legislative action authorized a substantial multi-year capital commitment, marking one of the largest public investments in the university's history since its founding under the Morrill Land-Grant Acts.

Goals and objectives

The primary goals were to dramatically increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines to meet workforce demands from companies like United Technologies Corporation and Electric Boat. Objectives included transforming the university into a top-tier research institution capable of competing for major grants from agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. A further aim was to stimulate the creation of new businesses and partnerships within innovation districts, enhancing the state's overall economic ecosystem. The plan also sought to upgrade obsolete facilities and create a modern, interconnected campus environment conducive to interdisciplinary research.

Funding and investment

The initiative authorized $1.5 billion in state bonding over a ten-year period, with $1 billion dedicated to new STEM facilities, infrastructure, and renovations at the University of Connecticut's main campus in Storrs and its regional campuses. An additional $500 million was allocated for other critical university infrastructure projects not directly tied to the initiative's STEM expansion. This capital investment was separate from the university's operating budget and required approval from the State Bond Commission. The funding model anticipated that the state's upfront investment would be leveraged to attract significant additional research funding from federal sources and private industry partnerships.

Key initiatives and programs

Core initiatives included the construction of new state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Engineering and Science Building and a major expansion of the University of Connecticut School of Business. The plan called for hiring nearly 300 new faculty members, particularly in priority departments within the College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It also established new academic programs in emerging fields like advanced manufacturing, computational science, and digital media. Furthermore, the initiative supported the expansion of the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington and increased support for technology commercialization through the University of Connecticut Technology Incubation Program.

Impact and outcomes

The initiative led to a substantial increase in STEM enrollment and graduation rates, with the University of Connecticut awarding thousands of additional degrees in targeted fields. It facilitated a rise in annual research expenditures, helping the university achieve its R1 research status. New facilities like the Peter J. Werth Residence Tower and the Science Quadrangle transformation modernized the Storrs campus. The investment is widely credited with enhancing the university's national reputation, attracting top-tier faculty and students, and contributing to economic development projects such as Jackson Laboratory's expansion in Connecticut.

Category:University of Connecticut Category:2013 in Connecticut Category:Education in Connecticut