The Rutgers University Senate, representing students, alumni, faculty, and other members of the Rutgers community, applauds Governor McGreevey for his vision for higher education in New Jersey, and for his goals of advancing New Jersey public research universities into the top tier of state-university systems.  Although the proposed merger of the public research universities is not currently under consideration, discussions of this proposal have identified significant possibilities for greater collaboration among the state’s public research universities, which in turn will facilitate these goals. A bond issue intended to stimulate job creation and address higher education capacity issues was later associated with the proposed merger, and would have partially supported restructuring.  More importantly, this bond issue would be a major first step in addressing the goals for excellence advanced by the Commission on Health Science, Education and Training.

Such a bond issue remains a critical need for higher education in New Jersey.  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and other New Jersey public universities and colleges have been significantly negatively affected by years of historic under-funding and budget cuts which have left them with insufficient infrastructure to provide competitive research capacity and affordable, high-quality education for the citizens of New Jersey.  These needs will become even more crucial as the number of students graduating from high school and seeking a place in higher education increases dramatically during the next decade.  A higher education bond issue can help address these vital issues by providing the necessary resources for new classroom and research facilities and equipment, and much needed but long-deferred maintenance of existing facilities.  These resources would advance our shared goals of building academic excellence, educating New Jersey’s workforce, supporting robust economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens of New Jersey.

RESOLUTION

Whereas, the University Senate shares with President McCormick and Governor McGreevey a vision of excellence for our state research universities; and

Whereas, the University Senate recognizes the critical need for additional resources to enable Rutgers University and the other New Jersey public universities and colleges to fulfill their mandate for providing affordable, high-quality education; and

Whereas, a higher education bond issue will provide resources to advance our shared goal of building academic excellence, educating New Jersey’s workforce, and generating new jobs and other economic benefits;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Rutgers University Senate strongly endorses efforts by President McCormick, the university administration, and the university’s governing boards to work with elected officials to place a higher education bond issue on the November 2004 ballot for a vote by the citizens of New Jersey; and

Be it Further Resolved, that the Rutgers University Senate will work with President McCormick and Governor McGreevey for the success of a bond issue for higher education.