The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened
at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton on January 26, 2007.
Chairman Laurence M. Downes presided. Highlights from the meeting
include:
-
Swearing-In of New Member: Dr. Adrian DeWindt-King was sworn in
as the new faculty representative.
-
Chairman’s Report: Mr. Downes commented
on upcoming meetings with the Presidents’ Council to
discuss collaborative efforts for 2007.
-
Executive Director’s Report: Ms. Oates commented on the
positive advances in work regarding student transfer,
the significant interest
among institutions in the Innovation Partnership Institute
Grants, the second meeting of the engineering collaborative,
and work with
presidents regarding the upcoming budget deliberations.
-
Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Yaw indicated that all
of the public institutions have signed the transfer agreement
and
that additional work is ongoing regarding monitoring,
accountability, and appeals.
-
Long-Range Plan Update: Dr. Oswald commented on additions to the
draft update. Additional work will be done to bring
the document back for discussion in February and adoption in March.
-
Governor’s State of the State Address: Ms.
Oates indicated that the Governor’s speech briefly addressed higher education
partnerships and affordability, as well as the importance of higher
education in the state’s economic growth
plan. She also commented on the importance of
the sale of
state assets
as the budget is
developed.
-
Commission Priorities for 2007: Ms. Oates
summarized the Commission’s
primary areas of focus for the year, which
are aligned with the priorities identified in the draft update
of the Blueprint
for
Excellence.
-
Innovation Partnership Institute Grants: Ms. Garlatti, director
of Finance and Research, summarized the purpose of
the Innovation Partnership Institute Grants, as well as the grant process
and institutional response.
-
Montclair State University’s
Petition to Exceed Its Mission: The Commissioners unanimously approved the petition
of the university to exceed its mission and offer the Ed.D.
in Mathematics
Pedagogy.
-
EOF and EFA Updates: Mr. Collins commented
on the EFA’s
40-year anniversary presentation and
indicated that EOF would meet next
month to discuss final plans for the
annual Student Day in March.
-
HESAA Update: Mr. Smith raised concerns about aspects of proposed
legislation in Congress related to student debt relief
and Pell Grants.
-
Old Business: Ms. Oates introduced the Commission’s
Eagleton Fellow, Jeff Martin.
-
New Business: The Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution
of appreciation for departing member, Dr. Brenda Leake.
-
Comments from the Public: Dr. John Pace, President of the Association
of NJ County College Faculties, commented on several
issues, including state and local support for community colleges; Professor Henry
J. Frank, resident and taxpayer, spoke about the importance
of liberal arts; Mr. Louis Ward, EOF student from Rowan University,
spoke about the impact of EOF on his life.
