The editorial, “Force UConn to keep budget debate open,” (July 2), criticizing UConn's fiscal 2016 budget offered a number of false assertions that require correction.

UConn'sbudget was not amended and finalized behind closed doors. The University's budget staff, not the Board of Trustees crafts a proposed budget over several months based on estimated expenses, revenues, and other factors that fluctuate during the year. The draft budget is then presented to the financial affairs committee and, subsequently, the full Board of Trustees for review and approval, as it was on June 24 during an open meeting.

Furthermore, only the financial affairs committee met in executive session in June; the full board did not go into executive session to discuss the budget, and as such certainly could not take action.

The budget and supporting documents were posted online days before the meeting, and the budget adopted was the very same budget made publicly available. It was not altered or amended during the committee's executive session, as the editorial asserts, and no votes were taken.

The media and public were given advance access to the draft budget before it went before the board. Reporters covering the meeting additionally were given full access to university officials who were responsible for crafting the budget and could discuss its implications.

Tysen Kendig

Vice President for Communications

University of Connecticut

Storrs