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

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Public Favors $2-3 Billion Higher Education Facilities Bond Measure that State College/University Leaders Say is Urgently Needed to Provide College Opportunity

Dr. Darryl G. Greer, head of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (ASCU) said today that a major bond issue for higher education facilities is imperative and that failure to get one approved on the November 2006 ballot means the state will fail to expand college opportunity for middle class New Jerseyans at the time it's most urgently needed.

Moreover, ASCU leaders say, voters will approve the facilities measure if it clearly helps state colleges and universities enroll more students, keep tuition affordable and stem the "brain drain," basing this conclusion on two polls, including one released by ASCU today.

The polls were conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates in July 2005 and September 2005.  The most recent poll included 770 adults who said they expected to vote in the November election, interviewed by telephone between September 21 and September 26.  The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 3.5% at the 95% confidence level.

When asked whether they favored a higher education facilities bond measure to expand college opportunity, a majority of likely voters said they did: 58% were favorable when asked about a $2 billion issue and 56% were favorable when asked about a $2.5 billion issue in the September poll.  In the July poll, favorability toward a bond was 75% when voters were not asked to respond to a specific amount.  

When asked if a vote were held in November, in 2006, on a $2.5 billion bond, 50% said they would vote yes, with 38% against, and 13% undecided.  The answers were virtually identical when voters were asked about a $2 billion bond.  In the July poll, 59% of voters said yes to a $3 billion bond issue, with identical results regarding a $2 billion bond.

Six different polls the Association has sponsored since 1999 indicate broad, consistent support among citizens for an investment that would increase college opportunity, Greer said.  "In addition to individual opportunity, voters also see higher education investment tied to state workforce, research and economic development needs."

The recent poll also found that, compared to other important initiatives like transportation and stem cell research, higher education is a high priority with citizens.  Education, overall, was the highest priority.  The September poll also found that likely voters favor a dedicated revenue source for higher education when told that transportation and the public schools have their own dedicated revenue sources.

Candidates see need.  Both major candidates for Governor, Jon Corzine and Doug Forrester, have acknowledged that steps should be taken to address the compelling facilities needs of New Jersey's colleges and universities, including expansion to meet demand and modernization.  In recent appearances before a September 19 forum of the state's college and university presidents, both major gubernatorial candidates have indicated that higher education is a top priority and closely tied to economic and workforce development.  To go forth, a higher education bond measure would require action by the legislature by next summer to place a referendum on the 2006 ballot.

Higher education as a priority.  The poll also looked at likely voter support for other types of bond issues in he public eye including public schools, transportation and stem cell research.  A bond issue for public schools, in a head-to-head comparison with college opportunity, came out well ahead 53% vs. 14% (with an additional 16% saying both) and 53% vs. 19% for stem cell research (with an additional 12% saying both).

When asked how good an investment higher education is compared to other areas the state might bond for, three out of four respondents (74%) said it was a good investment including 10% who said it was "probably the single best investment."  Less than one in five said it was not a good investment.

"The poll results illustrate the public's view that investment in higher education as money well spent," Dr. Barbara Gitenstein, President of The College of New Jersey, said today.  "Funding for higher education positively impacts the state's economy in many ways.  Colleges provide the training necessary to develop a highly skilled labor force, which can be a catalyst for business and economic growth.  If we can offer more opportunities to New Jersey students and keep our brightest from leaving the state, the impact will be significant."

$5 billion needed.  Higher education leaders have estimated that the total need across all New Jersey colleges and universities is in excess of $5 billion.  A bond issue for one-half of that amount would cover high priorities, increasing enrollment capacity and helping reduce facilities costs, which in turn affect tuition and fees.

Dr. Susan Cole, president of Montclair State University, said today, "It is again crystal clear that NJ families understand that lagging state investment in higher education has thrown a larger burden of costs on students and their parents.  It is impressive that, even before any educational campaign for a bond has been undertaken, at least one-half of likely voters say they would vote for a $2 billion or even a $2.5 billion higher education bond in 2006."

Dr. Donald Farish, president of Rowan University, said today, "The poll results tell state policy makers and higher education leaders quite a bit about the public's priorities.  It's clear that voters want the state to make more places for students, stem the brain drain of talented high school graduates, and help keep college tuition affordable.  The bond could help do that."

Dedicated funding for higher education makes sense to voters.  The opinion research probed voters about their support for a dedicated funding source for higher education.  When it was clarified that transportation and the public schools have such revenue sources and that higher education does not, a majority said they favored creating such a funding stream.

Trustees expected to manage funds well.  The September study also confirms findings of the July 2005 poll concerning public trust for investing money to generate college opportunity.  Likely voters are prone to trust non-partisan boards of trustees over state government by more than 5:1.  Both major gubernatorial candidates have affirmed the importance of institutional governance by non-partisan boards of trustees

Contact Information, college/university relations offices: The College of New Jersey - 609-771-3070;  Montclair State University - 973-655-4225; Rowan University - 856-256-4240