CT SB00536

Redefines University of Connecticut's primary objective to educate Connecticut's population with focus on current and emerging economic dynamics and labor force trends, with secondary objective to facilitate knowledge transfer from faculty and student research into for-profit and nonprofit ventures.

Requires Board of Trustees appointees (commencing July 1, 2018) to have experience as entrepreneurs or investors in business ventures, with at least four of twelve appointed trustees meeting this qualification and at least two being under age 40.

Establishes position of Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship reporting directly to the president, and requires designation of person with extensive entrepreneurial experience to direct UConn Tech Park's Innovation Partnership Building by October 1, 2018.

Mandates faculty to issue annual economic report by January 1, 2019 on state economic dynamics and labor force trends; requires board to certify that academic programs reflect the report's findings.

Requires comprehensive study of technology transfer policies at leading institutions (Stanford, MIT) to be completed by December 1, 2018, with recommendations to prioritize new business venture formation over patent royalties and establish entrepreneurship mentorship initiatives modeled on MIT programs.