Terrence Cheng, state college system leader, to step down after misusing fun

The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education announced earlier this week that the chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, Terrence Cheng, will not have his contract renewed when it expires in June 2026. Starting July 1, Cheng will transition to a new “strategic advisor” role for the remainder of his contract, and an interim chancellor will take his place, said CSCU. 

The announcement called the decision “mutual.” 

Cheng was investigated last year when state auditors found extravagant spending on his purchasing card, including expensive meals, alcohol and driving services from his home in Westchester, N.Y.—even though funding is allocated for a vehicle and in-state housing for the chancellor’s use. 

The CSCU system comprises Connecticut’s four public universities (Eastern, Southern, Western and Central), Charter Oak State College Online and the 12 community-technical colleges. Notably, it does not oversee the University of Connecticut and its campuses directly, but mutual agreements for procurement, interoperability agreements and finances are shared. 

“I thank Chancellor Cheng for his hard work, partnership, and dedication to the system,” said Marty Guay, Board of Regents chair, in the news release. “We have a real opportunity to make impactful investments in our system in the best interests of the students we serve and the state as a whole.” 

The state has not yet named an interim replacement for Cheng but expects to make that announcement in the coming weeks. Cheng will continue to earn his full salary, in excess of $440,000 a year, in his new consolation role according to a CSCU spokesperson, the reports Connecticut Mirror. 

“The Board of Regents should use this as an opportunity to refocus on what’s really important, which is student outcomes, what’s happening in the classrooms,” said Gregg Haddad, Democratic state representative for the district including Mansfield, to the Mirror. 

State Republican lawmakers also questioned Cheng’s keeping his salary and called for Governor Ned Lamont to demand his resignation, WFSB Channel 3 reports. 

“I think this is another example of the state government not being as transparent as possible, particularly when a large amount of state dollars are being utilized,” said Republican state senator Stephen Harding. “How does that not see the light of day at or discussion at a meeting? It’s a complete slap in the face to the to the taxpayers of the state.” 

“It has been a true honor to serve as Chancellor of the CSCU system and its 65,000 students. I am incredibly proud of the work we have done,” said Cheng in a prepared statement included in the press release. “I remain deeply committed to this work and will continue to work with the Board of Regents and build on the success of the CSCU system.” 

Cheng was appointed as CSCU system president (chancellor) in 2021 following five years as director of the UConn campus in Stamford. 

“Terrence has been at the forefront of several transformative programs in academics and entrepreneurship at UConn, and has built strong relationships both inside and outside of the University,” said then-president of UConn Thomas Katsouleas when Cheng became head of CSCU. 

WFSB also reports that Cheng has the contract option of automatically becoming a tenured English professor at Western Connecticut State University in 2026 if he does not find another job somewhere else. 

“All I can say is that I’ve learned lessons, I will not make the same mistakes again,” said Cheng following calls for his resignation in 2024. “It’s my job to do better personally.”