The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton on September 30, 2005. Chairman Francis J. Mertz presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Swearings-In: Mr. Edward Graham, chairman, president, and chief executive officer at South Jersey Industries, and Mr. Barton Santos, a student at Rowan University, were sworn in as members of the Commission.

• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Mertz commented on work underway by the Capital Planning Task Force and the Senior Public Operating Aid Task Force.
  

• Executive Director’s Report: Dr. Oswald commented on New Jersey institutions’ enrollment of students displaced by hurricane Katrina and on three recent forums: the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum hosted by the Presidents’ Council, the Summit on High Schools, and the Senate Education Committee hearing on the higher education governance structure in New Jersey.
  

• Long-Range Plan Update: Dr. Oswald commented on changes in the long-range plan update that will appear in the final document, including a new section for basic statistics on New Jersey higher education and revised data for external funds. A discussion ensued about the need to make a more compelling case in the plan about why higher education matters.
  

• Fiscal 2007 Budget Policy Statement: Dr. Oswald commented on the draft budget policy statement for fiscal 2007, which is consistent with the long-range plan regarding the link between higher education and the economy and the need for increased state investment. The two funding priorities are increased institutional operating support and student assistance.
  

• Capital Improvement Fund Regulations: The Commission readopted regulations for the Capital Improvement Fund program with amendments.
  

• Equipment Leasing Fund – Revised Purchases by The College of New Jersey (TCNJ): The Commission approved revised purchases by TCNJ with equipment leasing fund moneys.
  

• Minority Academic Career (MAC) Program Update: Dr. Glenn Lang, executive director of the Educational Opportunity Fund, outlined fiscal 2006 allocations among MAC’s three components; future proposed allocations will come to the Commission for approval.
  

• EOF Report: Commissioner Collins commented on the most recent meeting of the EOF Board.
  

• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Pruitt abstained from a separate report, having commented on the Gubernatorial forum and the Senate Education hearing during other segments of the meeting.
  

• Comments from the Public: Dr. John Pace, president, Association of New Jersey County College Faculties – the current governance structure; budget policy statement.

• Adoption of the long-range plan update draft
• Adoption of fiscal 2007 budget policy statement
• GEAR UP results and new goals