KILLINGLY — State Senator Mae Flexer (D-Killingly) recognized the State Bond Commission’s approval of $1,681,451 for improvements at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson, and expressed concern over the future of funding for the state’s public colleges and universities.

The nearly $1.7 million in funding will be used to finance the design of new parking and site improvements at the QVCC campus in Danielson.

While Sen. Flexer is pleased that the Governor and State Bond Commission are making investments at QVCC, her priority is ensuring that state’s community college system remains an affordable and accessible option for students in the state. The Board of Regents will vote soon on a proposal to increase tuition next year at community colleges by 3.5 percent, and at regional state universities by 5 percent.

“Parking is sorely needed at QVCC, but if we don’t maintain the resources to support the college and its mission, we may not be making use of those new parking spaces,” said Sen. Flexer. “I am very concerned that in light of looming cuts and rising tuition community college will no longer be an affordable option.”

The state university and college system is facing significant budget shortfalls in the coming fiscal year, despite the millions of dollars in cuts that have already been levied.

A projected $37.3 million deficit in the public college system budget would be reduced to an $18.1 million shortfall, should the Board of Regents approve the tuition hike. The remaining deficit would likely be balanced through stark cuts to the system’s services and programs – leading Flexer to wonder whether the parking investments being made now will be needed in the future.

“I hope there will be as much support for keeping tuition costs down and staff in the classrooms at QVCC in the future as there currently is for infrastructure projects,” said Sen. Flexer.

The money will finance design and construction renovations which include perimeter campus roads, refurbishing curbing, striping and sidewalk improvements, drainage, site lighting replacements and energy efficiency upgrades.

State Representative Danny Rovero (D-Killingly) said “I am pleased these funds are being made available” to QVCC.

 

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