SENATE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 3811

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JUNE 15, 2021

 

     The Senate Higher Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3811 with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill establishes Kean University as a public urban research university, a new designation within the category of public research universities.  Currently, Kean University is one of seven State colleges organized pursuant to chapter 64 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

     Under this bill, the current board of trustees of Kean University is continued.  The board of trustees is given authority similar to that of the boards of other public research universities in the State.  The bill adds Kean University as a member university to the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium and includes Kean University in the definition of a public or independent research university for purposes of the “Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) program.”

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments omit a section of the bill that would remove Kean University from the membership of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges. Under the amendments, Kean University would remain a member of the association. Additionally, the committee amendments omit a related section that would reduce the number of members of the association if Kean University were removed.