ASSEMBLY, No. 1486

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 1996

 

 

By Assemblyman ROMANO

 

 

An Act establishing a higher education study commission and making an appropriation.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1. The Legislature finds and declares that: 

    a. Pursuant to the Higher Education Restructuring Act, P.L. 1994, c. 48 (C. 18A:3B-1 et seq.), the Governor abolished the Board and Department of Higher Education and replaced it with the Commission on Higher Education and the President's Council to coordinate the oversight of the higher education system through statewide policy and planning initiatives; and

    b. There are many possible approaches to the reorganization of the system of higher education and various models which should have been studied prior to replacing the structure of higher education oversight and coordination; and

    c. An issue of this complexity should receive the careful and full deliberation of the Legislature, and provide for the maximum involvement of the public prior to final resolution of the issue; and

    d. The most effective way to ensure the full public discussion of the future of higher education in this State is to establish a study commission to determine the way in which New Jersey's colleges and universities should be organized in the future.

 

    2. There is created a commission to be known as the "New Jersey Higher Education Study Commission."

 

    3. The commission shall consist of 25 members to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Four of the members shall be representatives of the public and independent institutions of higher education in the State. The remaining members shall include: individuals knowledgeable in the areas of labor, employment, economic development; individuals with background and experience in the areas of education and higher education, especially in matters of higher education governance; and, members of the general public, including at least one student currently enrolled in a New Jersey college or university. Not more than 13 of the members shall be of the same political party. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for the necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission within the limits of funds appropriated to the commission.

 

    4. The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Governor no later than 30 days after the effective date of this act. The commission shall organize within 15 days after the appointment of its members and shall elect a chair from among its members and select a a secretary who need not be a member of the commission.

 

    5. It shall be the duty of the commission to conduct a study of the system of higher education in New Jersey, in conjunction with other state systems, in order to determine the most effective and efficient organizational structure to replace or improve the current structure of higher education oversight and coordination. In conducting this study, the commission shall seek the advice of individuals with a national reputation in the field of higher education. Also, the commission shall ensure that there is adequate opportunity for input from New Jersey's business community, the higher education community, and members of the general public.

 

    6. The commission shall be entitled to the assistance and services of the employees of any State, county or municipal department, board, bureau, commission or agency which it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes and to employ such stenographic and clerical assistants and incur traveling and other miscellaneous expenses as necessary to perform its duties and as may be within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it for its purposes.

 

    7. The commission may meet and hold hearings at such place or places as it shall designate and shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than six months after it has organized and held its first meeting, and may accompany the same with any legislative bills which it may desire to recommend for adoption by the Legislature.

 

    8. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of the Governor $99,000 to effectuate the provisions of this act.

 

    9. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon the submission of the commission's report to the Legislature.


STATEMENT

 

    This bill establishes a Higher Education Study Commission, which shall conduct a study of the system of higher education in New Jersey, along with other state systems, in order to determine the most effective and efficient organizational structure to replace or improve the current structure of higher education oversight and coordination. In conducting this study, the commission is to seek the advice of nationally recognized experts in the field of higher education and is to provide opportunity for public input. The commission is to report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than six months following its first meeting. The commission expires upon the submission of its report to the Legislature.

 

 

                                                                  

Establishes a commission to determine the best organizational structure for the State higher education system; appropriates $99,000.