(a) There shall be a Board of Regents for Higher Education that shall serve as the governing body for the regional community-technical college system, the Connecticut State University System and Charter Oak State College. The board shall consist of twenty-two members who shall be distinguished leaders of the community in Connecticut. The board shall reflect the state’s geographic, racial and ethnic diversity. The voting members shall not be employed by or be a member of a board of trustees for any independent institution of higher education in this state or the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut nor shall they be public officials or state employees, as such terms are defined in § 1-79, during their term of membership on the Board of Regents for Higher Education. The Governor shall appoint nine members to the board as follows: Three members for a term of two years; three members for a term of four years; and three members for a term of six years. Thereafter, the Governor shall appoint members of the board to succeed such appointees whose terms expire and each member so appointed shall hold office for a period of six years from the first day of July in the year of his or her appointment. Four members of the board shall be appointed as follows: One appointment by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be an alumnus of the regional community-technical college system, for a term of four years; one appointment by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be a specialist in the education of children in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, for a term of three years; one appointment by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be an alumnus of the Connecticut State University System, for a term of four years; and one appointment by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be an alumnus of Charter Oak State College, for a term of three years. Thereafter, such members of the General Assembly shall appoint members of the board to succeed such appointees whose terms expire and each member so appointed shall hold office for a period of four years from the first day of July in the year of his or her appointment. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the student advisory committee created under § 10a-3 shall serve as members of the board. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the faculty advisory committee created under § 10a-3a shall serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members of the board for a term of two years and, in their respective roles as chairperson and vice-chairperson, may be invited to any executive session, as defined in § 1-200, of the board by the chairperson of the board. The Commissioners of Education, Economic and Community Development and Public Health, the Labor Commissioner and the Chief Workforce Officer shall serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members of the board.

(b) The initial members of the Board of Regents for Higher Education may begin service immediately upon appointment without regard to § 4-19, but shall not serve past the sixth Wednesday of the next regular session of the General Assembly unless qualified in the manner provided in said section. Thereafter, all appointments shall be made with the advice and consent of the General Assembly, in the manner provided in § 4-19. Any vacancy in the Board of Regents for Higher Education shall be filled in the manner provided in § 4-19.

(c) The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the board, who shall serve for a term of three years. The board shall elect from its members a vice-chairperson and such other officers as it deems necessary. Vacancies among any officers shall be filled within thirty days following the occurrence of such vacancy in the same manner as the original selection. Said board shall establish policies and adopt bylaws to govern its procedures and shall appoint such committees and advisory boards as may be convenient or necessary in the transaction of its business.