The first weekend of Spring brings lots to do

Saturday March 26

HORSE TRAILER DRIVING CLINIC
A trailer driving clinic will take place at the University of Con­necticut’s Horse Barn Hill Arena from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn how to drive and back a stock and bumper-pull trailer. Benefits University of Connecticut Equine Extension Program. Info: http://animalscience.uconn.edu/calendar.php.

PREPARED CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASS
Windham Community Memorial Hospital offers an all-day “mara­thon” childbirth education class from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the hospital’s education center. Cost is $65 for families delivering their babies at WCMH and $75 for families delivering elsewhere. Information/register: (860) 456-6894.

WOMAN’S CLUBS OF NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT
The General Federation of Woman’s Clubs of Northeast Connecticut will meet at 10 a.m. at the Youth Building in Patriot’s Park, Lake Street, Coventry. Everyone is welcome to discuss the needs of northeastern Connecticut. The organization is currently supporting the Windham Region No Freeze Hospitality Center in Willimantic and the Children in Placement program. Info: Rose Fowler (860) 742-9362.

MOVIE “MEGAMIND”
Willington Public Library Community Room, 7 Ruby Rd., Willington, 12:30 p.m. Rated PG and runs for 96 minutes. All are welcome to attend and bring your own snacks. Info. (860) 429-3854.

FREE MAKE -AND-TAKE BRACELET CLASS
Swift Waters Artisans’ Cooperative, 866 Main St., Willimantic, will host a free bracelet class from 1 to 1:30 p.m. for children 6-10 years old. Any additional bracelets $1.50. Call the gallery to sign up at (860) 423-1898. Walk-ins welcome if space permits.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Mansfield Advocates for Children (MAC) will be hosting a Community Conversation, 2: 30 p. m. to 6 p. m., Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building (Town Hall), Council Chambers. This plan attempts to develop and implement strategies to ensure that all Mansfield’s chil­dren are healthy, successful learners who are connected to their commu­nity. Childcare provided. Info: (860) 429-3399 ext. 3933 or http://www.mansfieldct.gov.

ROAST PORK DINNER
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 30 Church St. (Route 85), Hebron, will host a roast pork dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. $10 adults, $5 children ages 12 and under. Bring non-perishable food items in support of St. Peter’s outreach to local food banks. Info: (860) 228-3244 or visit www.StPetersHebron.com.

HAM & BEAN SUPPER
Hampton Congregational Church, 263 Main St., Hampton, will host a ham and bean supper from 5 to 7 p.m., with music by the “Rusty Implements.” Take-out available.

BLUEGRASS SHOW
Playing for the first time in Killingly is the noted Bear Bridge Band. They are featured along with Nick Anderson and Shady Creek. Show is at the Killingly Grange Hall, Route 101 at Dog Hill Road, Killingly, at 7 p.m. $12 donation. Info: Nick at (860) 564-1018 or e-mail nick.anderson@att.net.

MUSICAL COMEDY, ‘SMILE’
The Lyman Memorial High School Drama Club, will perform the musical comedy “Smile” at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m., 917 Exeter Road, Lebanon. Tickets: $7. Small bouquets of flowers to give to friends and family will be available on-site for $10. Tickets: (860) 642-5716.

THE BREAD BOX
Local favorites, Aztec-Two Step, will be making a return appear­ance to The Bread Box. Thought of by many as America’s premier folk act, come celebrate Rex and Neal’s 40th anniversary of making music together. The Bread Box is located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 220 Valley St., Willimantic. Music starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $20 and reservations can be made by calling (860) 429-4220. As always, all proceeds will benefit the Covenant Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry in Willimantic.

Sunday March 27

SILVERBACK WRESTLING FUNDRAISER BREAKFAST
Willimantic-based Silverback Wrestling will host a fundraising breakfast at Olympic Pizza, 58 Boston Post Road, Willimantic, from 7 to 10 a.m. Tickets $5. Information/tickets: James Poulin at (860) 377-9483.

BUFFET BREAKFAST
Knights of Columbus Council 14, 41 Club Road, Windham, will host a buffet breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Children under 5 are free, ages 6 to 12, $5.50, seniors, $6 and adults over 12, $6.50. Take-out available.

ANNUAL COIN AND PAPER MONEY SHOW
A coin and money show will be hosted by the Mansfield Numismatic Society, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Gymnasium Building, 233 Prospect St., corner of High Street, in Willimantic. Event to feature 75 dealer tables. Free admission. For information, log on to www.MansfieldNumismaticSociety.org.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES – STORRS
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Storrs, 10:30 a.m. The Rev. David Nelson will present a service entitled “Neither Victims Nor Executioners,” based on a book of that title by Albert Camus. Info: (860) 429-6088.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION AND EXHIBIT
Lebanon Historical Society, 856 Trumbull Highway, Lebanon, will host at 2 p.m. a community conversation and exhibit called “The Goshen Society: Church and Community.” Public welcome for free event. Info: (860) 642-6579.

Posted 3-24-2011

Have a news item or event you’d like to see posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions.

UConn tuition to increase by 2.5 percent

The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees Wednesday (March 23) approved a 2.5-percent hike in tuition and fees for the 2011-2012 school year.

The trustees’ decision – opposed only by student trustee Corey Schmitt – approved the recommendations from UConn Chief Financial Officer Richard Gray.

The new rate will mean tuition for in-state students of $8,256, an increase of 2.38 percent or $192.

Add room, board and all other fees, and in-state students will pay a total of $21,486. This represents a combined increase of 2.47 percent, or $518, over the current year.

Out- of- state students will pay, tuitions and fees combined, $38,382, which is an increase of 2.54 percent or $950.

The increases are smaller than what was approved last year – a 5.96-percent raise for in-state students and 5.77-percent hike for out-of-state students.

Gray’s recommendation come amid a $ 45.7- million budget shortfall projected for next year. This includes a drop in UConn funding of $35.3 million according to Gov. Dannel Malloy’s current state budget proposal.

Trustees’ Finance Committee Chair Peter Drotch said Gray has already accounted for 90 percent of that shortfall as he works through the budget. Drotch said he confident those changes will not have an impact on academics.

Gray said after Wednesday’s meeting he has also been in discussions with incoming UConn President Susan Herbst about budget plans.

He said Herbst has agreed to protect academic and research expenditures and has generally supported his actions.

Trustees also said they are intent on having a balanced budget when they vote on a spending plan for the 2011-12 fiscal year.

But student trustee Corey Schmitt said he’s worried trustees might need to impose a second tuition increase for the second half of next year, something Drotch said could happen.

Schmitt and Graduate Student Senate President Rich Colon also said they’re worried the 2.5-percent increase would mean significant cuts to academic and student services.

Colon said UConn’s “degrees are actually worth more” because of its high rankings and told trustees a recent graduate senate resolution supported an increase of more than 7 percent.

Schmitt, meanwhile, motioned for a 5-per­cent increase, which he said was the average increase over the last few years and that this was the largest deficit UConn has faced.

Schmitt’s motion did not receive a second and failed.

Both students raised concerns specifically about increasing class size, which UConn Provost Peter Nichols agreed is above UConn’s desired level.

Nichols said UConn has approximately 17.5 students per faculty member, even though the goal is 15.

But he also said the “slight slippage” has been “done in a reasonable way,” with an emphasis on keeping classes with labs and other needs small enough to manage.

Undergraduate Student Government President Thomas Haggerty said he also initially had concerns about potential cuts, but has changed his stance and supports the trustees’ decision. He said,”I do believe we can sustain ourselves,” but added he is “fearful for the future.”

Trustees Chair Lawrence McHugh said the board needs to balance the drop in state aid with the economic needs of potential students.

Trustee Michael Martinez said Malloy’s budget and the board’s decision, “accomplishes the principal of shared sacrifice.”

Malloy, through his representative Timothy Bannon, said he appreciates trustees’ efforts “taking the lead” during “tough financial times.” Bannon also said Malloy supports the board’s work to limit increases in tuition and fees.

Posted March 24, 2011

Have a news item or event you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include this town in your email’s subject line. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions.