CCSU President Exits Abruptly Amid Investigation

Central Connecticut State University president Zulma Toro stepped down Wednesday after nearly a decade on the job, amid an investigation into claims that she bullied and berated employees.

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system launched an investigation into Toro last month after a longtime employee accused her of bullying, intimidation and asking staff members to handle personal errands such as scheduling medical appointments and dog-sitting. That complaint was one of several employees have filed against Toro since 2019.

The investigation, launched on August 20, was still ongoing when Toro stepped down. She made no mention of the investigation in her resignation announcement but hinted at recent pressures and the toll they have taken on her.

“The last few weeks have been unbelievably hard on me, my family, and so many across our Central community,” Toro wrote to the campus community. “I want to thank the many people who have reached out during this time; please know your support and encouragement is deeply appreciated.”

Toro’s sudden exit comes as the CSCU system faces mounting scrutiny. Last week a scathing report found that board leadership failed to follow its own policies and did not adequately respond to allegations of sexual misconduct by former Interim Chancellor John Maduko. Though Maduko and board leadership resigned amid the scandal, Connecticut lawmakers have expressed concerns about the direction of the system and indicated possible reforms may be ahead.

CSCU Interim Chancellor Natalie Braswell wrote in an email to campus that Toro’s resignation followed discussions with system leadership and said it was in the best interest of the university.

“Recent concerns regarding the workplace environment at Central are serious and deserve to be treated seriously,” Braswell wrote. “CSCU has an obligation to listen when members of our community raise concerns, to respond appropriately, and to ensure that our campuses are places where people are treated with dignity and respect. This leadership transition does not diminish those responsibilities or the importance of the concerns that have been raised.”