The bipartisan leadership of the Education and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees of the Connecticut General Assembly has officially endorsed the continuation of UConn 2000 and the University's management of the program.

The UConn 2000 legislation, passed in 1995, which gave the University authority over its own construction projects, also included a provision for a review after four years.

Members of the committees visited the Storrs campus in February and reviewed a report on the University's progress to date on UConn 2000.

In a letter to President Austin, the leaders note that they "were extremely impressed with the attractive aesthetics as well as with the high quality and projected longevity of the new buildings."

The committees also noted UConn's progress in other areas. "We are also gratified that the University is moving towards realization of our other important goals of keeping high achieving students in-state, and increasing private investment. We note that freshman enrollment has substantially increased, and both the endowment and annual fundraising has more than doubled during the last three years."

They concluded that "the University is managing the UConn 2000 capital projects, discharging its responsibilities, and achieving and implementing the UConn 2000 goals, in full accord with the intent of Public Act 95-230."

Elizabeth Omara-Otunnu