Highlights from the meeting include:

• Swearing-In: Two new student members were sworn in.

• Chairman's Overview: Chairman Downes previewed the agenda.

• Executive Director's Report: Dr. Sulton updated Commissioners on the Regional P-20 Coalition of Southern New Jersey and on college student outmigration and reported on a federal grant to implement the State Scholars Initiative.

• Presidents' Council Report: On behalf of President Stuart Cook, Dr. Sulton reported on the recent meeting of the full Council, where the presidents decided to delay action on the FY 2005 Joint Budget Policy Statement pending further review.

• FY 2005 Joint Budget Policy Statement: The Commission voted to table the FY 2005 budget policy statement until November.

• Higher Education Capital Improvement Fund: The Commission approved a grant to Seton Hall University from the capital improvement fund.

• Long-Range Plan: Mr. Downes said inclusiveness continues to be a major focus of the long-range plan process, and the Commission reached out to an even broader group of stakeholders for the three public forums on the Stage 1 draft. Dr. Oswald described the three forums, praising their exceptionally broad-based nature, the active engagement of participants, and the wealth of feedback provided. She said the comments and suggestions will provide valuable guidance for the steering committee. The Stage 1 draft is expected to be on the agenda for approval at the Commission's November meeting.

• Precollege Program Initiatives: Michelle Johnson, director of NJ GEAR UP, highlighted the numerous precollege initiatives currently operating in New Jersey, such as the Commission's College Bound program, which served as the foundation for the competitive five-year federal GEAR UP grant. Mr. Wayne Murray, director of Project S.M.I.L.E./GEAR UP at Mercer County Community College, noted some of that program's components and successful outcomes.

• Public Speakers:
  Mr. Ivan Steinberg - staff representative, Council of N.J. State College Locals, AFT: Joint Budget Policy Statement

• FY 2005 Joint Budget Policy Statement
• Long-Range Plan - Stage 1 adoption
• Berkeley College petition to exceed programmatic mission
• Bond Act project approvals