UConn-AAUP Update February 12, 2026
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In this issue:
- Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee Public Hearing
- Appropriations Hearing & Press Conference on Higher Education Funding
- Excellence Awards Deadline Extended!
- Office Construction
Throughout the legislative session UConn-AAUP will aim to share information to assist members being informed or participating in subjects related to Higher Education & UConn.
Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee Public Hearing
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 12:30 P.M.
Room 1E of the LOB and via Zoom. Here is the Agenda
The first hour of the hearing is reserved for Legislators, Constitutional Officers, State Agency Heads and Chief Elected Municipal Officials. Speakers will be limited to three minutes of testimony. The Committee encourages witnesses to submit a written statement and to condense oral testimony to a summary of that statement. All public hearing testimony, written and spoken, is public information.
- Individuals who wish to testify must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form. Registration will close on Monday, February 16 at 3:00 P.M.
- Speaker order of approved registrants will be listed in a randomized order and posted on the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee website on Monday, February 16 at 6:00 P.M. under Public Hearing Testimony.
- Please submit written testimony using the On-line Testimony Submission Form.
HB 5158 (RAISED) An act prohibiting scholarship displacement.
HB 5159 (raised) An act funding journalism fellowships for graduates of public institutions of Higher Education.
SB 8 An Act supporting graduate students in the state. To establish the supplemental graduate student loan program, allow up to ten million dollars in state bonds for said program, allocate not less than sixty million dollars in annual private activity bonds for the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority and increate the authority’s bonding authorization.
SB150 (RAISED) An act concerning the legislative commissioner’s recommendations for technical revisions to the higher education statutes.
Appropriations Hearing & Press Conference on Higher Education Funding
Our legislators are deciding the size and shape of funding for Higher Education and there is a critical need for opportunity for public input.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
10:30am Join us! Higher Education Union Press Conference (State Capitol – Room 310)
11:30-2:00 Higher Education Agencies (Office of Higher Education, UConn, CSCU)
Appropriations Public Hearing – 5:00 P.M.
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5:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. |
Higher Education Panels |
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7:30 P.M. |
Public Testimony on Higher Education Agencies |
In person testimony: Individuals may testify in person or via Zoom, but must first register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form. Registration will close on Wednesday, February 18th at 3:00 PM Once participants have registered, they will receive an email confirming their registration. The email will include a Zoom link, including for those who have registered to speak in person, allowing participants to appear remotely should their circumstances change.The speaking order of approved registrants will be listed in a randomized order and posted on the Appropriations Committee website on Wednesday, February 18th at 6 PM under “Public aring Testimony.”
Write & Submit Testimony: Here is a SAMPLE LETTER & here is a tool kit with additional information
Click here to submit written testimony for the appropriations committee hearing
- Enter your first and last name
- Enter your title (Professor, Student, Director of Career Services, etc.)
- Enter your agency or organization (UConn-AAUP)
- Hearing Date: 2/19 5:00 PM
- Supports or Opposes: Select Opposes (we oppose the current budget)
- Subject Matter: Appropriations Committee Public Hearing on the Governor’s Proposed FY 26 Budget
- You can either type your testimony into the box or upload it as a PDF
- Click that you are not a robot
- Submit your testimony!
Let us know that you have submitted testimony & if you can join us! 2/19 Appropriations sign up – Google Sheets
The Faquir Jain Excellence Awards Selection Committee has extended the deadline for accepting nominations for the awards. The new deadline is March 1, 2026.
Call for Nominations: Teaching – Research – Service
The Faquir Jain Excellence Awards in Teaching, Research and Creativity, and Service recognize exceptional contributions by UConn-AAUP members across the University.
Nominations may be submitted by colleagues or through self-nomination. Each submission must clearly identify the award category and include a complete nomination package as outlined below. Award Categories & Requirements can be found here.
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Office Construction
Please be advised that the UConn-AAUP office will be closed for unexpected construction beginning February 17, 2026. Staff will be working virtually during normal business hours, 8:30a-4:00p. If you need to reach someone urgently during the construction period, please email general@uconnaaup.org and we will respond as quickly as possible.