Consider All Facts on New Jersey Colleges

 

Darryl G. Greer, Executive Director

The Press of Atlantic City
November 2, 2007

We encourage citizens who are concerned about news accounts of the State Commission of Investigation's report on state colleges to read the entire report for themselves, including refutations in the appendix. (SCI Report may be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/HigherEdFinalReport.pdf.)

Our association is seeking to ensure the continuation of widely documented progress made by our institutions, under independent nonpartisan trustee boards, in areas including access to higher education by more citizens, productivity, accountability, transparency and affordability. Before a rush to judgment, citizens and policy makers need to consider these critical facts:

Higher education's share of the total state budget has declined by almost one-half since fiscal year 1983 to 5.4 percent from 9.8 percent. With declining state investment, students' share of educational costs has risen to more than 50 percent from about 30 percent, since 1990.

New Jersey has no capital budget for higher education facilities. No significant general obligation bond investment has been passed since 1988.

What is certain is that we need to continue to improve higher education. The state colleges and universities pledge to continue to work toward positive improvements in the best interests of New Jersey students, present and future, and consistent with the nation's best practices in state and institutional governance.