Hundreds oppose effort to make Central Connecticut State University a polytechnic school

Hundreds of people have signed a petition opposing proposed changes by Central Connecticut State University that would place a greater emphasis on the polytechnic model of education.

The university, a public institution located in New Britain, is considered a designation as a Research 2 Polytechnic, thereby pursuing an educational model that “brings together applied learning, research, innovation, and Central’s strong liberal arts and social sciences foundation,” according to a recent post to the university website.

“Central is uniquely positioned for this moment. Our strengths in engineering, applied sciences, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, health sciences, education, and interdisciplinary learning, combined with nationally recognized programs, applied research, and deep community engagement, create powerful pathways for student success and workforce impact,” the post reads.

Those who signed the petition, though, have said they’re worried about the university becoming an “AI factory.” The Hartford Courant reported that Timothy Scott, chair of the CCSU Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Generative AI, said he opposes the effort because it would shift the university’s mission away from “broad public education” toward furthering the work of “mass surveillance, prediction, automation and social control.”