STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MILA M. JASEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Secretary of Higher Education to develop guidance for institutions of higher education to identify cultural barriers in recruitment and retention of underrepresented students for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning the recruitment and retention of certain students in STEM programs at institutions of higher education and supplementing chapter 3B of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Secretary of Higher Education shall establish a program to assist institutions of higher education in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. Underrepresented students include women and students from other populations historically underrepresented in the STEM fields. The purpose of the program shall be to develop guidance and strategies for the institutions to:
a. identify cultural and institutional barriers experienced by underrepresented students, including an assessment of the academic, social, and family-related factors which may negatively impact the recruitment and retention of those students into the STEM fields; and
b. provide the students with the institutional and faculty support necessary to allow underrepresented students in STEM programs to reach their academic goals.
In the development of the guidance and strategies, the secretary may examine any programs implemented in other states designed to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in STEM programs at institutions of higher education.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education to establish a program to assist institutions of higher education in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in STEM programs. Underrepresented students include women and students from other populations historically underrepresented in the STEM fields. The purpose of the program is to develop guidance and strategies for the institutions to:
· identify cultural and institutional barriers experienced by underrepresented students, including an assessment of the academic, social, and family-related factors which may negatively impact the recruitment and retention of those students into the STEM fields; and
· provide the students with the institutional and faculty support necessary to allow underrepresented students in STEM programs to reach their academic goals.