The Faculty
Senate of William Paterson University, at
its meeting on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, passed the attached resolution
unanimously.
We are fully aware
of the seriousness of the State’s financial problems, but we believe
that to
single higher education out for special mention and crippling cuts is
short-sighted and self-defeating. Numerous studies demonstrate that
every
dollar spent on education is repaid many times over. Not tomorrow,
perhaps, but
in the long run. To attempt to solve a short-term problem in this way
will have
serious, ongoing negative consequences in the long run. We know that
you share
our concerns.
We urge you to join
with us in asking the Governor and Legislature to revise the initial
budget
proposals. They must protect and nurture
higher education, not allow it to languish and sink in the estimation
of prospective
students, peer institutions and ranking organizations. If New Jersey’s
colleges and universities
develop an unfavorable reputation, it will take years to overcome such
a stigma.
Sincerely, and
urgently,
Bill Duffy
Chair of the Faculty
Senate
RESOLUTION OF THE
FACULTY SENATE OF WILLIAM
PATERSON UNIVERSITY
Whereas,
the proposed cuts in the State of New Jersey Budget for FY 2006-2007
would drastically cut
funding for higher education by over $169,000,000,
And,
whereas, due to the State’s refusal to fund the salary and fringes
programs
(approximately $122,000,000), the actual costs to the colleges and
universities
are in excess of $291,000,000,
And,
whereas, higher education has been grossly under funded in New Jersey for
many years,
And, whereas,
such draconian cuts would have a severe impact on basic and advanced
academic
programs at William Paterson University
and at all the institutions of higher education in New Jersey,
And,
whereas, a college degree is now the entry-level preparation for
virtually all
jobs in an increasingly technological society,
And,
whereas, New Jersey
already suffers from the highest rate of potential students abandoning
the
state to seek higher education elsewhere,
And,
whereas, the colleges and universities will have to impose steep
increases in
tuition and fees to balance their budgets,
And,
whereas, these cuts and increases in tuition will jeopardize the
ability of
students to complete their degrees in a timely fashion,
And,
whereas, the proposed cuts and increased costs will make it impossible
for many
students to continue their education at the present, and may force some
of them
to drop out of college forever,
And,
whereas, such cuts may dissuade others – high school graduates and
non-traditional students – from even considering college education,
And,
whereas, catastrophic cuts in services and/or programs would seriously
undermine William Paterson University
and New Jersey’s
other institutions of higher education in their drive towards
excellence,
And, whereas,
diminished colleges and universities would be unable to attract and
retain
top-notch faculty and students,
And,
whereas, a well-educated citizenry is essential for informed political
decision-making and statewide economic development,
Therefore,
be it resolved, that the Faculty Senate
of William Paterson University strongly urges the Governor and the
Legislature
to act immediately to ensure the quality of higher education in New
Jersey by
restoring funding in the FY 2006-2007 Budget to at least the levels of
the FY
2005-2006 Budget, and by fully funding all contractual obligations,
And, be it
further resolved, that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the
Governor
and every member of the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey Assembly,
And, be it
further resolved, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the
President of
every college and university in New Jersey, and to the Chairs of
their Faculty Senates for
their consideration and action.
Adopted,
March 28, 2006