Higher ed management being consolidated

Hartford, Conn. (AP) - The Connecticut higher education system's new leader says the nearly 95,000 students whose colleges are coming under new management need not worry that the reorganization will directly affect them this fall.

Michael Meotti says work to consolidate the university and college governing boards will continue over the next several months as a 19-member Board of Regents is appointed.

Meotti was recently named interim president of that board. It will govern Connecticut's 12 community colleges and Central, Southern, Eastern and Western Connecticut state universities.

Meotti says in the long run, the consolidation will help Connecticut respond more quickly and efficiently to the schools' needs and provide a better education for all students.

He's meeting Monday with the community colleges' board, one of the groups being phased out under the consolidation.