One-Minute Summary February 23, 2007 Commission Meeting

The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton on February 23, 2007. Chairman Laurence M. Downes presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Downes commented on his meeting with the Presidents’ Council to discuss priorities, including the budget, an investment for capital needs, a joint budget policy statement, and the long-range plan.

• Guest Speaker: Maureen Curley, Executive Director of the National Campus Compact provided an overview of the history of Campus Compact and its work in service learning.

• Executive Director’s Report: Ms. Oates commented on collaborative planning and efforts with the Presidents’ Council and discussed the Governor’s proposed fiscal 2008 budget for higher education, stressing the importance of increases for operating aid and student financial aid.

• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Yaw summarized the February 21st Presidents’ Council meeting and commented on the proposed higher education budget as well as the legislation and ongoing efforts related to the transfer agreement.

• Long-Range Plan Update: Chairman Downes summarized the content of the revised draft update of A Blueprint for Excellence. Dr. Oswald commented on the reorganized draft and additional data that will be presented next month, and Commissioners expressed support for the draft.

• Outcome of the Library Regulations Working Group: Ms. Beardsley provided an overview of the issues addressed by the working group in preparation for development of revised licensure regulations in this area.

• Update on Commission’s GEAR UP Grant: Ms. Johnson discussed progress and challenges for the state GEAR UP grant, pointing out the importance of maintaining data to demonstrate progress.

• EOF Update: Dr. Lang commented on the upcoming EOF conference, including Student day on March 20th, which will involve the largest number of awards ever presented to high achieving students.

• New Business: Commissioner Jennifer Dalbow shared concerns voiced by students, regarding health insurance, the cost of books, transfer issues, and high school guidance counselors.

• Comments from the Public: Dr. John Pace, President of the Association of NJ County College Faculties, commented on the transfer agreement and the long-range plan; Mr. Sharo Atmeh, Student Representative, Board of Trustees, Rutgers University, commented on the budget and other issues; and Demur Arthur, Chairperson of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Rutgers College Government Association, commented on the budget and the issue of black male retention in college.

• Adoption of the 2007 long-range plan update
• Report on EOF Student Day
• DeVry University relicensure
• Case Western Reserve University petition for graduate nursing courses