State of New Jersey
Executive Order #42

Governor James E. McGreevey

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 14 created the Commission on Health Science, Education and Training, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to examine ways to enhance the overall quality of medical and health education in New Jersey, and to increase the State institutions' national competitiveness; and

WHEREAS, the Commission examined a range of possible solutions, and steps that could be taken to create a comprehensive university system that promotes excellence in all schools and disciplines including medical and health education and attracts top students, distinguished faculty, and significant research funding from public and private sources; and

WHEREAS, on October 14, 2002, the Commission issued its Report recommending that the current institutional structure be re-aligned by restructuring Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (Rutgers), the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ) and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) into a single, research university system with three distinct, university campuses in North, Central and South Jersey; and

WHEREAS, the Commission's Report has been reviewed by and discussed with various leaders of the State's higher education community and the administration and faculty of the public research institutions, and its recommendations and vision have merit; and

WHEREAS, the vision of academic excellence in New Jersey's public research universities and its higher education system is worthy of implementation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

  1. There is hereby established a Review, Planning and Implementation Steering Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Steering Committee.

  2. The Steering Committee shall consist of twenty-one (21) members appointed by the Governor. The Steering Committee will be supported by three University Committees, several Issues Working Groups, and Advisory Groups. The Steering Committee shall be chaired by Dr. P. Roy Vagelos. Members of the Steering Committee will include the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Chairs of the Boards of Trustees of Rutgers, UMDNJ and NJIT; the Chair of the Board of Governors of Rutgers; and the Presidents of Rutgers and NJIT, and the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs of UMDNJ. The remaining members will be selected from among representatives of higher education, research foundations, business and industry, the Governor's Education Cabinet, and the community.

  3. The Steering Committee is authorized on behalf of the Governor to examine the rules, procedures and practices of the public research universities in order to recommend in what respect such rules, procedures and practices may be altered or improved with a view toward carrying out the purpose of this Order.

  4. The charge of the Steering Committee shall be to:

    1. Review the impact of the Commission's recommendations on the three institutions and to create a comprehensive plan for the restructuring;

    2. Facilitate the collection from the three public research universities of information pertaining to the restructuring;

    3. Examine, and advise the Governor through the Chair of the Steering Committee concerning the prioritization of the implementation of specific strategies to restructure the three public research universities;

    4. Within thirty (30) days of the first meeting of the Steering Committee, outline a proposed work plan for the preparation of an assessment and implementation plan;

    5. Recognizing that the actual restructuring will likely be a multi-year effort, deliver an assessment and implementation interim report to the Governor that includes, for the various stages of implementation, the actions required, a timeline for those actions, specific milestones and responsibilities.

  5. The Chair of the Steering Committee is hereby empowered to organize its work and committee structure as he deems it necessary including but not limited to:

    1. Establishing an Executive Advisory Committee consisting of academic experts, community members, constituents and other stakeholders who will provide their unique perspectives to the Steering Committee and appointing its chair(s).

    2. Establishing sub-committees to address specific issues that have strategic and system-wide implications. Such sub-committees may be charged with developing proposals on topics including but not be limited to: academic affairs, health affairs, faculty, students, finance/accounting, operations, accreditation, human resources, physical plant, community relations, alumni affairs, information technology/communications. Each sub-committee shall be chaired by a designee of the Committee and may also include representatives from outside the public research universities with relevant expertise.

  6. Upon the request of the Chair of the Steering Committee, acting directly or through his staff, the Administration of the three public research universities shall provide the Steering Committee with such information as the Steering Committee may need for the purpose of carrying out its charge.

  7. The Steering Committee is authorized to call upon any department, office, agency, authority, instrumentality or institution of State Government to provide such information, resources, or other assistance deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Order. Each department, office, division, agency, authority, instrumentality and institution of this State is hereby required to cooperate with the Steering Committee and its staff and to furnish it with such information, personnel and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.

  8. Members of the Steering Committee shall serve without compensation, except that they may receive per diem and travel expenses.

  9. This Order shall take effect immediately.


GIVEN, under my hand and seal
this 10th day of December in the
Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Two, and of the Independence
of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Twenty-Seventh.

/s/ James E. McGreevey

Governor
[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Paul A. Levinsohn
Chief Counsel to the Governor