The 2023-2024 academic year was quite dynamic for the University of Connecticut, with some major wins and records, alongside changes that brought on community dissatisfaction and protests.
In the fall, the university sent an email to students announcing that they would guarantee on-campus housing for only six semesters. Due to immediate student backlash, the university quickly rescinded its statement and guaranteed housing for eight semesters. Around this time, the university also announced that Buckley Dining Hall would close by the end of the year, to the disappointment of many who have enjoyed eating there over the years. A group of students even paid their respects through music earlier this year, playing an ‘Ode to Buckley’ inside the dining hall. This decision comes after plans to build the New South suites (Officially titled “Connecticut Hall”) by Fall 2024.
Construction on the New South continued throughout the entire academic year. Despite the new housing, which was available for students to select for the upcoming fall semester, students still reported frustration with the housing process. Very few students were able to select their first choice of housing, and preferred housing such as apartments and suites were largely taken up within the first few days of the selection process.
In January, UConn announced a new plan to reduce spending by 15% over the next five years. The announcement was quickly met with criticism from students and faculty alike. The cuts were planned to affect ledger-2 categories, which includes academic programs. Protests were held throughout the year, including at Board of Trustees and University Senate meetings.
The university received criticism for its communication with different departments regarding how budget cuts would affect them. Faculty reported funds being taken from their departments’ accounts without any warning and evasive answers about when cuts would occur and how severe they would be. The UConn administration held town hall meetings throughout, both virtual and in person, to field questions from students, faculty and staff and address their concerns. However, those at meetings still claimed the school was failing to be transparent and properly address their questions.
In February, the state legislature held a meeting of the Appropriations Committee to consider the governor’s budget plan, which included less spending for public education than previous plans. UConn students and professors were among the many testifying to oppose the spending cuts. Ultimately, the university requested $96 million from the state to cover the budget shortfalls and buy time to reassess their five-year plan.
With spring came some good news for UConn, when the men’s basketball team won the national championships for the second year in a row, beating Purdue, 75-60. Perhaps as expected after last year’s chaotic post-championship game events, this major win was met with riots and destruction again, with five students arrested. A watch party was set up in Gampel Pavilion, to which many students were denied entry. Not only were there less tickets given out than usual for a Gampel event, but many students also reported that, even with a validly claimed ticket, they were not allowed in to view the watch party. The women’s basketball team also made it very far this year, making it to the Final Four round, where they were closely defeated by Iowa, 69-71.
Another win for UConn this year is its record number of applications received: 56,700 applicants to the class of 2028. This is an 18% increase from the past two years, and this also marks the first time in the school’s history that applications surpassed 50,000. Shortly after that, a unique global phenomenon brought together students, faculty and community members all waiting to see just one thing on a random Monday afternoon: the solar eclipse.
Connecticut experienced the solar eclipse on April 8, with about 90% of the sun being obscured. Eclipse chasers and UConn students alike enjoyed the rare sight all around campus. Many went to Horsebarn Hill, where the Physics Club was selling glasses to safely view the eclipse, but there were people scattered around the campus observing this astronomical phenomenon.
Although Connecticut did not experience the total solar eclipse that parts of New England got to see, the darkness and chill of the eclipse was noticeable on the otherwise sunny day. The last total solar eclipse occurred in 2017, and the one before that in 1979. Although eclipse chasers can track down multiple solar eclipses around the world in the coming years, the next one that will be visible in the continental United States will be in 2044.
The university has also seen multiple protests by students and organizations, especially in more recent months. Recently, encampments in solidarity with Gaza have taken place at various college campuses across the country, and just last week, UConn students began one as well. Since the writing of this article, the UConn encampment has lasted at least six days, with demands for the university to divest, disclose and sever ties with weapon manufacturers Raytheon TX, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.
So, with its many ups and downs, this was surely a memorable year for many. A common theme for this year might just be its number of gatherings. Whether for a solar eclipse, riot after a national championship or a peaceful protest for university change, there were many times when the UConn community got together on campus — a wonderful sight after years spent online and inside due to the pandemic.