By Solé Scott
Editor-in-Chief
After a spending scandal cast a dark cloud over leadership of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, there has been a new appointed chancellor.
On June 26, John Maduko was named the new interim chancellor of CSCU, replacing Terrence Cheng who served in the role for four years.
“CSCU’s public colleges and universities stand at a pivotal moment — one filled with both challenge and tremendous opportunity,” Maduko said.
According to CSCU’s website, he will only serve for one year. Then, he will return back to Connecticut State Community College as president.
“Over the past three years, it has been a privilege to serve as president of CT State, working alongside dedicated and world-class colleagues to center our mission on student success and community impact” Maduko said.
Cheng was in hot water last school year with former interim president Dwayne Smith last year after an audit investigation found evidence of misuse of funds. Cheng spent over $27,000 from 2021 until 2024 on expenses that were deemed inappropriate.
Cheng has found himself in controversy once again in his new role as special advisor to the board of regents.
Computer science major Phoenyx Meira, a senior, shared her views on the recent Cheng news.
“Although Cheng is not employed as chancellor anymore, he is still making the same salary he was making while he was in that position,” Meira said.
Meira said she hopes there is a greater level of transparency between the leadership in CSCUs and the students.
“I think transparency is a huge thing that needs to be addressed with higher education because ultimately, we want to see where our taxes are going toward in this economy,” Meria said.
In his new role, Cheng is being paid $400,000, and according to a Channel 3 Eyewitness News article, that salary has come under fire by state Republicans, espescially Senate minority leader Stephen Harding.
“I want the board of regents who made this decision to continue his employment to speak to this. If you’re going to use taxpayer funds to pay someone $400,000 a year, at least tell the taxpayer what their money is being used on,” Harding said.
Business information systems major De’Shaunt O’Brien, a senior, is one of many students unaware of the new chancellor. “I don’t want to sound uneducated; however, I don’t have any thoughts on our new chancellor,” O’Brien said. “I haven’t heard or seen anything about him.”
Interim Chancellor Maduko did make an appearance at the university during New Student Move-In on Aug. 23.
“I hope when he makes decisions in this role, he puts the students and faculty who are on the frontlines of universities’ needs first,” O’Brien said.
Meira also shared her thoughts on what the new chancellor could do to get better acquainted with students as he begins his role.
“I feel like hosting an open forum and going to each of the state universities would be the easiest thing for outreach,” Meira said. “I understand he is most likely a busy man, but if you truly want to do good by students, you just have to get out there and talk to them.”
The advice given to him for his one-year tenure was a stark reminder of the severity of the spending controversies that still linger around the institution
“Just don’t misuse funds that can be well spent on research and development of our universities,” O’Brien said.
Southern News reached out to Maduko for comments and did not receive a response
