CentralJersey.com

March 4, 2010

by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman of Ewing 

A statement recently attributed to me mischaracterized my thoughts and position on college trustees and the outstanding work these individuals perform day in and day out.

It is said that volunteers are not paid because the work they do is priceless.

This sentiment is especially true in the area of public higher education in New Jersey. Approximately 150 men and women volunteer as trustees of our state's senior public institutions of higher learning. Their stewardship has played a critical role in helping New Jersey's state colleges and universities to maintain exceptional academic performance and service to our citizens.  

New Jersey state colleges and universities are recognized as among the most productive in the nation for bachelor's and master's degree-granting institutions. In addition, minority enrollment, full-time enrollment and residential enrollment, retention and graduation rates have increased at these fine institutions during the past decade.

This excellent record of performance is not surprising, given that our state laws on the governance of New Jersey's senior public institutions of higher learning support the autonomy that has helped make such a track record possible.

"The Legislature hereby finds that it is in the best interest of the state that the state college shall be, and continue to be given, a high degree of self-government and that the government and conduct of the colleges shall be free of partisanship. The Legislature finds further that a decentralization of authority and decision-making to the boards of trustees and administrators of the state colleges will enhance the idea of self-government."

This statement, which is found in law that was enacted over 40 years ago, is still timely and true today. I have had the privilege of serving for many years as a member and chair of the board of trustees at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and I am a graduate of Thomas Edison State College, two of the 12 excellent senior public institutions of our state.

We owe a special debt of gratitude to the spirited citizens who volunteer their time and energy in holding our institutions of higher learning "in trust" for the public good. I recently co-sponsored legislation that aligned some of the accepted "best practices" in corporate governance with the governance practices at our public colleges and universities.

Under the stewardship of our trustees, campus leaders have produced some of the finest public colleges in the country. These institutions create opportunity and a tremendous public benefit, which has earned the confidence of our citizens. Our trustees deserve the support of state government and the freedom to do their jobs.