The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mt. Laurel Campus of Burlington County College on September 24, 2004. Chairman Francis Mertz presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Swearing-In: Presidents’ Council Chairman George Pruitt, President of Thomas A. Edison State College, was sworn in as a member of the Commission.
• Comments from Chairman: Mr. Mertz announced the resignation of former Commission chairman Alfred Koeppe, after 10 years of outstanding service. He also noted the passing of Dr. Deborah Wolfe, a former chair of both the state education and higher education boards.
• Comments from Host: President Robert Messina welcomed the Commission.
• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Mertz previewed the agenda and discussed various aspects of the Commission’s organizational review meeting held in July.
• Executive Director’s Report: Dr. Oswald discussed the need for a consistent, central message based on the key public agenda issues for higher education – 1) improved access and outcomes from preschool to graduate school, and 2) an enhanced economy through research and workforce development.
• South Jersey P-20 Pilot Program: Dr. Ronald Capasso, director of the pilot P-20 Coalition of Southern New Jersey, provided an overview of coalition initiatives.
• Long-Range Plan Update: Dr. Oswald reported on the first addendum to the long-range plan, which will provide stakeholders with updates on implementation. The addendum will be available on the Commission’s website.
• Fiscal 2006 Budget Policy Statement: The Commission discussed an outline of components for inclusion in the fiscal 2006 budget policy statement. The Commission intends to develop a joint statement with the Presidents’ Council for adoption in October.
• Marketing Leadership Team: Dr. Oswald updated the Commission on the Marketing Leadership Team’s public awareness survey and other work.
• Report on Outcomes of Teacher Education Grants: Commission staff member Nancy Style discussed highlights of a report on the assessment of the Commission’s teacher education grants.
• Readoption of the Equipment Leasing Fund and the Facilities Trust Fund Regulations: Readoption of the regulations was postponed until October due to lack of a quorum.
• Updates on the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA): Commissioner Kevin Collins and Chairman Mertz commented on recent activities of EOF and HESAA.
• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Pruitt reported on the September meeting of the Council, including the formation of various committees.
• Public Comment: Dr. John Pace – president, Association of NJ County College Faculties commented on the overall work of the Commission.
  

• Fiscal 2006 Budget Policy Statement adoption
• Report on workforce supply and demand
• Report on progress of EOF eligibility for College Bound students
• Discussion of incentives for underserved areas
• Discussion of strategies to increase federal research dollars
• Readoption of the Equipment Leasing Fund and the Facilities Trust Fund Regulations