03/21/2026
By Paul Hughes
Read the full story at the New Haven Register.
Professors and other instructors at public colleges and universities in Connecticut could keep course outlines from being made public under a bill before the state legislature.
The legislation reflects rising concerns inside and outside of academia that individuals and groups ideologically opposed to course subjects or the politically charged nature of some research at higher education institutions may try to weaponize the open records law and documents obtained through the law to target and harass faculty and researchers.
The state Freedom of Information Commission is opposing the legislation that proposes to exempt syllabuses that faculty or staff of a public institution of higher education prepare describing the courses being taught, required materials and assignments, grading policies, and a detailed schedule.
The legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee conducted a hearing Wednesday on House Bill 5550. The next step would be a vote to advance the legislation out of the committee. The legislative panel’s reporting deadline is 5 p.m. March 25.
In arguing against the bill, the Freedom of Information Commission contended there is great public interest in teaching conducted at public institutions of higher education, including what is taught, how instruction is delivered, and how students are evaluated. The FOIC argued access to course syllabuses ensures that the public understands how taxpayer-funded educational programs function and promotes transparency in public education. It also noted that public institutions of higher education maintain publicly accessible databases of course syllabuses, including the University of Connecticut.
Legislators have considered legislation in the last four sessions to exempt records related to research and teaching at public universities and colleges in Connecticut. The bills have been supported by academics and opposed by open government advocates. Each generally proposed to exempt from disclosure teaching and research documents largely funded with taxpayer money. The Senate approved the 2023 and 2024 versions, but both bills failed to pass in the House. The 2025 bill died in the Senate.
The Government Administration and Elections Committee heard testimony on a bill Wednesday that included a provision to exempt from disclosure records rising out of teaching or research on medical, artistic, scientific, legal, or other scholarly issues. The legislation also proposed to make the residential addresses of all public employees confidential.