Task forces update campus community on R2 polytechnic designation project

President Toro hosted an open forum on April 8 in Founders Hall for students, faculty, and staff to share updates on Central’s exploration of a possible R2 polytechnic designation, offering a campus-wide look at the work underway across multiple task forces.

The forum brought together members of several committees charged with developing a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of Central’s readiness to pursue the R2 polytechnic pathway and outlining a potential roadmap for the institution’s future. Each task force is focused on a distinct area, including Academic Programs; the Unique Role of Interdisciplinarity and the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; Physical and Technological Infrastructure; Campus and Community Engaged Learning; Strategic Partnerships; Resource Development and Investment Plan; and Institution Name.

Before turning the program over to task force representatives, Toro commended the groups for their early progress and collaborative efforts. She noted that one committee alone had already received 71 ideas for new and existing academic programs framed through a polytechnic model.

“I want to publicly acknowledge the reputation, the commitment, and the good work of everyone who is participating in these task forces,” Toro said.

She emphasized that the process is not only about structural planning, but also about identity and direction for the university’s future.

“At the end of the day, this is an opportunity for us to decide who we would like to be and how we would like to be known in the future,” she added.

The Academic Programs task force, chaired by Provost Kim Kostelis, shared that its work is now focused on reviewing the 71 proposals for new and reimagined academic concepts. 

Task force member Dr. John Tully provided an update on the Unique Role of Interdisciplinarity and the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences task force, which is gathering broad input through student surveys and focus groups designed to capture perspectives from across the campus community.

Director of Operations Sal Cintorino, chair of the Physical and Technological Infrastructure task force, reported that his team is conducting a campus-wide inventory of existing spaces, equipment, and systems. The goal is to assess current capacity and identify what additional infrastructure may be needed to support a polytechnic institution.

Dr. Joanne Leon, representing the Campus and Community Engaged Learning task force, described efforts to better define and expand experiential learning opportunities. Her group is developing a survey for department leaders and other stakeholders to help map existing co-curricular and community-engaged learning activities across campus.

Lisa Bigelow of Institutional Advancement, chair of the Institutional Name task force, assured the audience that no one thus far is in favor of CCSU becoming “CCPU,” joking that the initials for “Polytechnic University” could suggest a malodorous institution. The comment received a collective chuckle from the audience.

Bigelow explained that her committee is distributing surveys to alumni, donors, and friends of the university to gauge opinions on whether a name change or the addition of a research 2 polytechnic tag line would be appropriate should Central be approved by the Board of Regents to pursue polytechnic designation.

Dr. Joseph Farhat presented on behalf of the Resource Development and Investment Plan task force, outlining the group’s focus on funding strategies and implementation priorities for potential new and expanded initiatives. He noted that the committee is reviewing enrollment projections and associated fiscal implications, while also emphasizing that much of its work depends on data and findings being gathered by the other task forces.

Students at the forum also asked about opportunities to learn more about the R2 polytechnic designation and what it would mean for them. Scott Hazan, the associate dean of Student Affairs, shared details about a recent Student Government Association scavenger hunt on campus that incorporated facts and frequently asked questions related to the polytechnic concept. Food trucks offered participants tasty treats as students perused brochures about the project and learned more about it from faculty, staff, and SGA students. Hazan said more related student-centric events are in the works.

For more information about the R2 polytechnic designation exploration, go to https://www.ccsu.edu/r2-polytechnic. The web page also includes meeting agendas and minutes for each of the task forces.

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President Toro takes a question about Central’s exploration of a R2 polytechnic designation during the April 8 open forum at Founders Hall. (Photo by Shelly Sindland)

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Provost Kim Kostelis presents her report on the Academic Programs task force. (Photo by Shelly Sindland)

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Associate Dean of Student Affairs Scott Hazan discusses student-centric programming related to the to the polytechnic designation project. (Photo by Shelly Sindland)