Highlights from the meeting included:

• Chairman's Overview: Chairman Downes gave an overview of the agenda. He welcomed Dr. Richard McCormick, President of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and recognized Dr. McCormick's contributions during the first six months as president as well as his previous commitment to Rutgers.

• Comments from Dr. McCormick: Dr. McCormick commented on the positive direction that the long-range plan is taking. He summarized what he believes the citizens of NJ expect from higher education: access and affordability, research and discovery, and service to the people. He stressed the importance of completing the long-range plan and the related restructuring of the research universities. He also pointed out that responsibility for achieving the plan lies with the state, the people, and primarily with the institutions, noting that the Commission should hold institutions accountable to do their part.

• Deputy Executive Director's Report: Dr. Oswald thanked departing staff members Xiaoling Niu and Linda O'Connor for their years of service to the Commission. She also highlighted the state's recently initiated collaborative program to encourage more New Jersey teachers to attain National Board Certification. She highlighted the related work at Rowan University through their Teacher Preparation Grant.

• Presidents' Council Report: Dr. Stuart Cook updated Commissioners on the Council's June 23 meeting and retreat.

• Gibbs College: The Commission licensed Gibbs College to offer Associate in Applied Science degree programs for a three-year period effective July 1, 2003.

• Somerset Christian College: The Commission licensed Somerset Christian College to offer the Associate in Biblical Studies degree program for a three-year period effective September 2003.

• Syracuse University: The Commission licensed Syracuse University to offer two additional courses at River Dell Regional High School through academic year 2006-07.

• College Bound: The Commission approved FY 2004 College Bound Grant Program awards to 10 institutional programs and set aside funds for statewide conference activities and publicity.

• Capital Improvement Funds: The Commission approved a grant to Georgian Court College from the Capital Improvement Fund.

• Higher Education Technology Infrastructure Fund: The Commission approved the use of interinstitutional connectivity set-aside funds for Kean University and Saint Peter's College.

• Jobs, Education, and Competitiveness Bond Fund (JEC): The Commission approved Montclair State University's request to reallocate JEC funds from one approved project to another.

• University of Phoenix: The Commission heard comments regarding the university's petition for licensure to offer six baccalaureate degrees from Kay Hancock, Office of Academic Affairs; Dr Laura Palmer Noone, President of the University of Phoenix; and members of the public. The Commission passed a resolution calling for the university to submit a report by September 1, 2003, on four of the six conditions to which the university had previously agreed; the Commission will vote on licensure at its September 26 meeting.

• Long-Range Plan Implementation: Dr. Oswald indicated that the Steering Committee has developed a revised timeline, which recognizes the need for a second stage of the planning process. The first stage of the plan is scheduled for adoption in November after further public input and discussion. Performance measures will be fully developed, and other initiatives underway will be integrated into the plan during Stage II.

• New Business: Chairman Downes recognized the outstanding service of student Commissioners, Mathew Kleiman and Nexus Sea, and presented them each with a resolution.

• Public Speakers:

• Long-range plan discussion and release of draft for public comment
• Systemwide accountability report discussion
• Licensure petition from University of Phoenix
• Discussion of Budget Policy Statement
• Bond project approvals