New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities committed to college opportunity for new jersey citizens

150 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08608                       609-989-1100     609-989-7017 fax                   njascu@njascu.org

Major Activities

Acting as an advocate in the state capital, the Association analyzes and monitors public policy issues and legislation affecting the nine-member group.  In cooperation with trustees, students, faculty and campus administrators, ASCU plays an active role in developing and proposing state higher education policy to better serve New Jersey's citizens and the public good.

The Association has been a leader in achieving landmark legislation, in 1986 and 1994, which transferred important fiscal and administrative authority to the campuses from state government, emphasizing trustee governance and direct public accountability.  The state colleges and universities are among the most autonomous public institutions nationally.

Serving as a primary information resource for its member institutions, ASCU provides analyses of higher educational policy issues such as:

The Association further serves as a forum to forge a shared body of opinion on the needs of the nine institutions and their contributions to the Garden State, conducting conferences and meetings with public officials, college/university presidents, trustees, faculty, students, alumni, and business and community leaders.

Examples of Recent Forums

ASCU seminars and special events help trustees and presidents to stay abreast of the state's changing needs and to meet their responsibilities as policy stewards.

Since 1999, the Association has continued a major effort to inform the public about future challenges concerning the opportunity to attend a four-year public college.  ASCU has pointed to the emergence of the state colleges/universities as "first choice" institutions, the huge increase of high school graduates this decade, a system that is at capacity, and unpredictable state investments in higher education.  ASCU has alerted state leaders and policymakers that these trends mean more students than ever will ask: "Can I get into a New Jersey state college or university, and will it be affordable?"

Drawing upon public opinion polls, research by national experts, leadership focus groups and statewide seminars, the Association proposes seven action steps supported by ten major New Jersey business, labor, health care, education and professional organizations.

The seven steps include: