One-Minute Summary November 16, 2007 Commission Meeting

The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton on November 16, 2007. Chairman Laurence Downes presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Downes commented on the formal release of A Blueprint for Excellence 2007 Progress Report and Call to Action which will be available to key stakeholders by mail and our website, the draft response to the SCI Report, and developing the joint budget policy statement with the Presidents’ Council.

• Executive Director’s Report: Ms. Oates commented on A Blueprint for Excellence 2007 Progress Report and Call to Action and the institutional profiles, NJ Next Magazine and its new ad, and the statewide student leadership meeting and its agenda. She also commented on the transfer of credit legislation deadline, the Commission’s November 27 fishbowl with Treasury, and her meeting with the NJBIA manufacturing group.

• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Yaw commented on the Presidents’ Council meeting, the statewide transfer agreement and its January deadline, and the budget.

• Discussion and Possible Adoption of Fiscal 2009 Budget Policy Statement: The Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution adopting the Fiscal 2009 Budget Policy Statement and stating the Commission will continue to work with the Presidents’ Council in the development of a joint statement to be transmitted to the Governor, Treasurer, and Legislature.

• Discussion of the SCI Report Response: The Task Force appointed by Chairman Downes closely examined the SCI recommendations and amended a response document which was discussed.

• Update on College Bound and GEAR UP Activities: Commission on Higher Education staff, a GEAR UP graduate, and a GEAR UP parent, provided an update about College Bound and GEAR UP activities, including student outcomes, for the past several years.

• Innovation Partnership Grants Status Report: Ms. Betsy Garlatti, Finance and Research Director, reported on the status of the Innovation Partnership Institutes.

• EOF, EFA, and HESAA Updates: Mr. Collins commented on the process underway of the five-year mandatory review of the EOF regulations, and their next meeting scheduled for December 7. He also commented on the SCI Report and the EFA’s response, and their next meeting scheduled for December 12. Ms. Torres commented on the October meeting of HESAA where they adopted their Fiscal 09 budget recommendations and the details contained within, and their next meeting scheduled for February 14, 2008.

• Old Business: Formal release of A Blueprint for Excellence 2007 Progress Report and Call to Action.

• Comments from the Public:
  • Ms. Eliana Reyes, Educational Opportunity Fund student from The College of New Jersey, commented on the benefits of the EOF program and what she has achieved;
  • Ms. Stephanie Kirby, student at the College of Saint Elizabeth, commented on the benefits of student lobby and leadership days;
  • Mr. James Kline, student at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, commented on campus security, lower cost of textbooks, and the SCI Report;
  • Dr. John Pace, President, Association of NJ County College Faculty, commented on the SCI Report, Budget Policy Statement, and the Blueprint;
  • Mr. Jon Ericson, Council of New Jersey State College Locals, AFT, commented on the SCI Report and the AFT’s recommendations; and
  • Mr. Korey Carter, Educational Opportunity Fund student from The College of New Jersey, commented on how the program affected him and helped him to pursue his dreams.

• Special Needs 2008 Supplemental Funding
• Proposal to Readopt Licensure Regulations with Amendments
• Ronald Chen, Public Advocate