The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton, NJ, on May 21, 2004. Chairman Larry Downes presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Downes announced that he is not standing for reelection as chairman of the Commission due to responsibilities associated with his new role as chairman of the American Gas Association; he will continue to serve actively as a member of the Commission. He also emphasized the substantial changes in the types of information provided at Commission meetings over the past four months and the desire to provide a diversity of perspectives on key issues to inform decision making.
• Election of Officers – 2004-2006 Biennium: The Commission approved the slate of candidates recommended by the Nominating Committee: Francis Mertz, chairman; Henry Johnson, vice chairman; and Kevin Collins, Laurence Downes, and Amy Handlin as members of the Executive Committee.
• Executive Director’s Report: Dr. Jeanne Oswald commented on the inaugural statewide College Bound awards day honoring students, parents, and College Bound staff. Planned future updates on Commission activities for presidents and other audiences were also mentioned.
• Closing the Achievement Gap: Kati Haycock, director of The Education Trust, discussed the significant academic achievement gaps between low-income/ minority students and other students. Examples were presented that counter longstanding patterns by narrowing, and sometimes fully closing, the achievement gap. The role of higher education was stressed.
• Peer Group Identification: Dr. Oswald discussed state/system-level use of peer comparison groups in higher education and gave examples from other states of the use of sector peer groups. The Commission has worked with a consultant, Dr. Daniel Layzell, to propose for discussion methodologies to establish peer groups for aggregate assessment of progress on the long-range plan and guidance in policy development. Dr. Oswald indicated that with additional time and effort aspirant groups could be established concurrently. Initial discussions are scheduled with two sectors, and others will hopefully be scheduled soon.
• Long-Range Plan: Dr. Oswald outlined the Commission’s key long-range plan priorities for the coming months, including development of: the public awareness campaign, a funding policy/methodology recommendation for senior public institutions, workforce development goals to meet high-demand needs, and peer groups for aggregate assessment of progress on the long-range plan. Given the impact on completing work related to the plan, development of a tactical plan for the Commission was also mentioned as a priority.
• Gibbs College Campus Relocation: The Commission approved the relocation of Gibbs College from Montclair to Livingston.
• DeVry Petition to Offer a B.S.B.A. Degree: The Commission licensed DeVry University-North Brunswick to offer a bachelor of science in business administration degree in two areas of concentration.
• Education of Language Minority Students Grant Program: The Commission approved the allocation of funds for the second year of a two-year grant cycle and awards for two one-year projects, pending fiscal 2005 state appropriations for the Education of Language Minority Students Grant Program.
• Commission Meeting Dates for 2004-05: The Commission adopted the 2004-05 schedule, which continues the general practice of convening on fourth Fridays in Trenton with certain exceptions.
• Fiscal 2005 Assembly Budget Committee Roundtable: Dr. Oswald briefed the Commission on the Assembly Budget Committee’s roundtable discussion on higher education.
• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Stuart Cook reported on the May 17 meeting of the Presidents’ Council Executive Board. With Dr. Cook’s term as Council chair and representative at an end, the Commission adopted a resolution commending him for his service.
• Public Comment: Dr. John Pace – president, Association of NJ County College Faculties: the long-range plan

Next Commission Meeting: Friday, June 25, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ.

• Enhancing the public research universities – Presidents Richard McCormick and Robert Altenkirch
• Report on data collection regarding the use of technology
• Form and content of annual institutional profiles, formerly referred to as institutional accountability reports
• Semiannual report on Commission work
• Lehigh University petition to offer several graduate degrees to seven pharmaceutical companies
• Syracuse University Project Advance petition to offer two additional courses
• College Bound Grant Program awards
• Bond act project approvals