Purpose of Committee & Membership
AI technologies are fundamentally transforming teaching, learning, research, and operations in higher education. The University of Connecticut (UConn) is committed to establishing a framework that not only aligns with our university mission and strategic priorities but also serves as a global example of excellence for innovative, responsible, and equitable adoption and governance of AI. This committee is not solely a gatekeeper for risk, but a catalyst for enablement—helping faculty, staff, and students to push forward transformative academic and operational uses of AI, all while safeguarding quality, equity, and integrity.
Vision Statement
UConn’s AI Governance Committee is designed to be a national and an international model of excellence in ethical, innovative, and effective AI governance for higher education and research institutions.
Committee as a Tool of Enablement
Enablement—not just governance—is our ethos. The committee supports resource acquisition (consulting, micro-grants, IT, vendor and grant support), helps project owners navigate procurement and implementation, and offers guidance to drive creative adoption and impact. Intake is a gateway to support and resources, not merely a checkpoint.
Committee Charter & Structure
Oversight: AIGC reports directly to senior university leadership (specific executive office to be determined). The committee has the authority to develop AI policies and approve or oversee AI initiatives on behalf of the institution, subject to this executive oversight.
Core Membership: The committee is chaired or co-chaired by an appointee of senior leadership and includes representatives from key stakeholder units, including:
- Ted Laskaris – Chair
- Dan Weiner – VP Global Affairs
- Eric Soares – Assistant Director CLAS
- Arash Zaghi
- Bob Day
- Fumiko Hoeft
- Harel Ofer
- Dr. Tina Huey – Interim Director of Faculty Development in CETL
- Ion Moraru, Jeff Hoch
- Rotating UConn Health Center (UCHC) / Research Designees (Jeff Hoch, Ion Moraru) for Dec through March and then possibly others from UCHC get on the committee as it goes operational
- Rotating AI Faculty Council Member (Bob Day to manage at least for now)
- Rotating Administrative Council Member (TBD)
- Student representatives (NDF: USG – Storrs, USG – Stamford, GSS)
- Joe Macdougald
Two subcommittees, the AI Faculty Council and the Administrative Council, provide subject matter expertise to the committee. Each year, the committees will select one of their members to serve a one-year term on the Core Membership Committee.