The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education convened at the Mary G. Roebling Building in Trenton on October 27, 2006. Chairman Laurence M. Downes presided. Highlights from the meeting include:

• Swearing-in of new members: New student members Jennifer Dalbow and Carlos Machado were sworn in and participated in their first meeting.

• Chairman’s Report: Mr. Downes welcomed the participation of outside speakers and commented on progress made on the follow-up items from the previous meeting.

• Guest Speaker: Assemblyman Bill Baroni addressed the Commission regarding capital support and other priorities for higher education.

• Executive Director’s Report: Ms. Oates commented on meetings regarding fiscal 2008 budget planning, and Angela Bethea, data administrator for the Commission, presented a summary of results from the 2006 Governor’s School student survey.

• Presidents’ Council Report: Dr. Yaw commented on the Council’s October 23 meeting and ongoing collaborative efforts to develop budget recommendations and to improve articulation and transfer.

• Long-Range Plan Update: Ms. Oates indicated that staff is reviewing data regarding progress in achieving key goals in the plan and seeking public input from stakeholders regarding priorities going forward.

• Capital Planning Task Force Recommendations and Senior Public Operating Aid Task Force Recommendations: Dr. Oswald provided an overview of underlying principles and components recommended by each task force; both documents are on the Commission’s website for public comment prior to consideration of adoption in November.

• Postsecondary Opportunity in New Jersey: Dr. Glenn Lang, executive director of EOF, discussed a report he is preparing regarding the student pipeline through higher education in New Jersey.

• Legislative Update: Ms. Oates commented on state legislation and on upcoming hearings related to the structure of the public research universities and also to articulation and transfer. She also commented on several important items that were not addressed by Congress prior to adjourning for recess.

• Licensure Activities: Ms. Marguerite Beardsley, director of academic affairs, commented on the process of reviewing licensure petitions, and three petitions were approved, including a change of programmatic mission for Berkeley College, licensure of Strayer University, and relicensure of the University of Phoenix.

• Uniform Code of Ethics: Dr. Oswald commented on the recently adopted Uniform Code of Ethics as it applies to Commissioners.

• Comments from David J. Socolow, Commissioner, NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Commission Socolow commented on efforts underway to strengthen the relationship between higher education and workforce development.

• EOF and EFA Update: Commissioner Collins reported on the Educational Opportunity Fund meeting and the work of the Educational Facilities Authority.

• HESAA Update: Commissioner Smith reported on growth in various Higher Education Student Assistance Authority programs and distributed examples of HESAA publications.

• New and Departing Staff: Ms. Oates introduced the Commission’s new director of finance and research, Ms. Elizabeth Garlatti, and Mr. Downes read a letter of appreciation to departing staff member Kris Krishnan, data manager.

• Comments from the Public: Eleven members of the public, including six students, addressed the Commission on various topics, referencing the University of Phoenix, budget cuts and the future of higher education, conflict of interest policies for faculty, the EOF program, the importance of coordination, and Commission meeting presentations.

• Long-range plan update
  
• Discussion of budget recommendations for fiscal 2008
  
• Adoption of Senior Public Operating Aid Task Force recommendations
  
• Adoption of Capital Planning Task Force recommendations