The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton, NJ, on October 29, 2004. Chairman Francis Mertz presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Swearing-In: New student members Terrence Curran and Pedro D. Khoury were sworn in as members of the Commission.

• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Mertz previewed the agenda. He then described the October 4-5 conference he attended with Commissioner Henry Johnson and Executive Director Jeanne Oswald, which focused on the topic of integrating higher education financial aid and financing policy. New Jersey, while in a stronger position than many states, needs to take a fresh look at its policies that support higher education access and affordability. The provision of pertinent data will be essential to addressing this topic, as well as progress in achieving the long-range plan.
• Executive Director’s Report: Dr. Oswald provided an overview of the findings from Measuring Up 2004, the National Center for Public Policy for Higher Education’s third biennial national report card.
• Updates on College Bound and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF): Ms. Kay Hancock, Director of Academic Affairs, reported on the positive impact of the College Bound Grant Program on the academic preparedness of low-income students. Dr. Glenn Lang, Executive Director of EOF, updated the Commission on a change to the EOF regulations that will make College Bound students automatically eligible for EOF services.
• Commission on Science and Technology: Dr. Sherrie Preische, Executive Director of the Commission on Science and Technology, provided an update about the mission and recent initiatives of that Commission.
• Long-Range Plan Update: Dr. Oswald updated the Commission on four components of A Blueprint for Excellence: plans to increase federal research dollars, workforce supply and demand findings, incentives for underserved areas, and additional teacher quality grants.
• Long-Range Plan Assessment: Dr. Oswald presented and Commissioners discussed a proposed process for assessing progress toward some institution-specific components of the plan.
• FY 2006 Budget Policy Statement: The resolution adopting the Commission’s FY 2006 Budget Policy Statement was approved.
• Readoption of the Equipment Leasing Fund and the Facilities Trust Fund Regulations: Readoption of the current regulations with amendments was approved.
• Updates on the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA): Commissioner Kevin Collins and Commissioner Warren Smith commented on recent activities of EOF and HESAA.
• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. George Pruitt reported on the development of the Presidents’ Council FY 2006 Budget Policy Statement.
• Public Comment: None.

• Discussion of the proposal for increased federal research dollars
• Inventory of P-12/higher education partnerships
• Underserved areas incentive program adoption
• Discussion of EOF outcomes-based plan for increased Article IV funds
• Continued discussion of long-range plan assessment process
• Amendments to regulations for the MAC program—proposal level
• Reallocation of Capital Improvement Program Funds for The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.