The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mary G. Roebling Building, Trenton, on May 27, 2005. Chairman Francis J. Mertz presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Mertz commented on two major initiatives emanating from the long-range plan – the Higher Education Capital Planning Task Force and the Senior Public Operating Aid Task Force – including initial topics for study and general timetables for reporting their recommendations. He also previewed the agenda.

• Executive Director’s Report: Dr. Oswald commented on the success of the May 20 Telecommunications Summit; details will be presented at a future meeting. She presented data from a recent report by the State Higher Education Executive Officers on long-term trends in public higher education finance.

• Long-Range Plan Update: Dr. Oswald described the process and tentative format for the long-range plan update and requested feedback from Commissioners as sections are provided for their review.

• Fiscal 2006 Budget Hearings and Deliberations: Mr. Mertz provided an overview of the proceedings at the Assembly Budget Committee’s Higher Education Roundtable Discussion and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Hearing.

• Berkeley College Petition: The Commission approved the petition from Berkeley College to exceed its programmatic mission and offer a B.S. degree in management. The distinction between exceeding mission and changing mission was clarified.

• Education of Language Minority Students Grant Program: The Commission approved fiscal 2006 grants, pending fiscal 2006 state appropriations, to seven institutions, for projects to strengthen institutional efforts for language minority students.

• Brookdale Community College Branch Campus: The Commission approved the petition from Brookdale Community College to designate the Western Monmouth Higher Education Center in Freehold a branch campus so that a full degree program may be offered at that facility.

• Syracuse Petition: The Commission licensed Syracuse University to offer two new Project Advance courses and also to offer courses at three additional locations through academic year 2006-07.

• Jobs, Education and Competitiveness Bond Act Projects: The Commission approved funds from the Jobs, Education and Competitiveness Bond Act for the renovation of laboratory space at Rutgers University and UMDNJ to support stem cell research.

• Reallocation of Higher Education Capital Improvement Fund Moneys at Seton Hall University: The Commission approved the reallocation of a portion of capital improvement fund moneys at Seton Hall University.

• Form and Content for Fall 2005 Institutional Profile Reports: The Commission approved the 2005 format for the annual institutional profiles public institutions must complete; two changes were adopted for the 2005 reports.

• Commission Meeting Dates for 2005-06: The Commission adopted the 2005-06 schedule, which continues the general practice of convening in Trenton and occasionally on college campuses.

• EOF Report: Commissioner Collins said the EOF Board approved institutional allocations, based on the Governor’s proposed fiscal 2006 budget, and additional moneys to eight programs with the most improved student outcomes.

• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Pruitt said most of the funds committed by the Council to the public awareness campaign have been collected from the institutions, and the Council looks forward to working with the Commission and the private sector on this coordinated advocacy effort.

• Support for Federal Student Assistance Programs: The Commission adopted a resolution to communicate its concerns about possible cutbacks in federal funding of student aid programs to Congress and other decision makers.

• Sustainability Guidelines: The Commission adopted a resolution endorsing the work of the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability and commending its design guidelines for institutions to build sustainable, high-performance facilities.

• Departing Commission Member: The Commission formally adopted a resolution honoring Solangel Maldonado for her service as the faculty representative to the Commission.

• Comments from the Public: Professor Henry J. Frank, resident and taxpayer – research funding
  

• Discussion of long-range plan update and assessment


• College Bound grant program allocations


• College and university graduation report


• Readoption of MAC regulations


• Annual licensure report