One-Minute Summary January 25, 2008 Commission Meeting

The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton on January 25, 2008. Chairman Laurence Downes presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Downes commented on the move towards implementation of the Commission’s response to the SCI Report, his meeting with Ronald Chen, Esq., Public Advocate, that he will report on next month, and his appointment of Commissioners Weinstein and DeWindt-King to facilitate and review comments on the proposed licensure regulations.

• Executive Director’s Report: Ms. Oates commented on the Assembly Higher Education Committee hearing, foster care students, moving forward on the implementation of the transfer of credit legislation, SCI follow up, and Norma Blake, State Librarian, being named librarian of the year. She also commented on the impending retirement of Patricia O’Neal of the Commission staff and introduced Barbara Pepe, a new member of the staff of the Commission.

• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Yaw stated there was no Presidents’ Council meeting this month, but that they are actively working on the bylaws for the Presidents’ Council and NJEDge.net., and the finalization of the transfer agreement.

• Presentation: Ziva Galili, Acting Executive Dean, and Peter Klein, Acting Executive Vice Dean, Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences: Ziva Galili, Acting Executive Dean, and Peter Klein, Acting Executive Vice Dean, Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences, highlighted some of the distinctive features of Rutgers-New Brunswick as a research university; the excellence of the faculty in the Schools of Arts and Sciences; plans to attract the brightest high school graduates in the state and to provide access to students from economically and educationally depressed areas; and, finally, the unique programs offered to their students, such as the Honors Program, Life Long Learning, and academic services for transfer students.

• College Spotlight – Gloucester County College: Dr. Susan E. Smith, Vice President, Academic Services, presented an update on Gloucester County College, highlighting high school outreach programs, developmental math programs, expanded science programs (including Food Science), athletic activities, petrochemical safety activities, and business partnerships.

• Proposal-Level Revisions to the Licensure Regulations (Sunset): The Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution approving the proposal for readoption of the current regulations for licensure with amendments and directing publication in the New Jersey Register for the purpose of soliciting public comment, as required by the Administrative Procedure Act.

• EOF and HESAA Updates: Ms. Audrey Bennerson commented on the EOF program completing the processing of fall 2007 student grant payments, the work of the staff on the EOF regulations that will lapse in March of 2009, and the introduction of a paperless budget and contracting process. Their next meeting is a conference call on March 4, 2008. Ms. Torres commented on NJ College Goal Sunday on February 10, 2008 at seven locations across the state. Their next meeting is scheduled for February 7.

• Comments from the Public:
  • Dr. John Pace, President, Association of NJ County College Faculty, commented on the licensure regulations;
  • Dr. Jon Erickson, Vice President, Council of NJ State College Locals AFT, commented on the licensure regulations and the 40% rule;
  • Dr. Lynn Mertz, Assistant to the President, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of NJ, commented on the licensure regulations and privacy issues of the SURE system;
  • Ms. Tanesha Robinson, Passaic County Community College EOF student, commented on her support of the EOF program;
  • Mr. William Fairley, Passaic County Community College EOF student, commented on his support of the EOF program; and
  • Ms. Carolyn Jackson, Passaic County Community College EOF student, commented on her support of the EOF program.

Next Meeting: February 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton, New Jersey. Tentative agenda items include:

• Somerset Christian College—exceeding mission
• Adoption of the Higher Education Technology Infrastructure Rules
• Annual EOF Report
• College Spotlight