NJASCU is a leading voice for public higher education in New Jersey.

Acting as an advocate in the state capital, the Association analyzes and monitors public policy issues and legislation affecting its member institutions.  In cooperation with trustees, students, faculty and campus administrators, ASCU plays an active role in developing and proposing state higher education policy to better serve New Jersey's citizens.

The Association has been a leader in achieving landmark legislation, in 1986 and 1994, which transferred important fiscal and administrative authority to the campuses from state government, emphasizing trustee governance and direct public accountability.  The state colleges and universities are among the most autonomous public institutions nationally.

Serving as a primary information resource for its member institutions, NJASCU provides analyses of higher educational policy issues such as:

n	college access and affordability;
n	higher education finance trends and comparisons;
n	laws affecting trustee governance, ethical standards, and student welfare;
n	the need to increase the capacity of the state colleges and universities to serve New Jersey students amidst unprecedented enrollment demand; and
n	addressing the needs of emerging student populations, including student veterans.

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NJASCU Statement on Voter Approval of the Building Our Future Bond Issue

Voter approval of the Building Our Future Bond referendum is a multi-faceted and far-ranging win for New Jersey -- students, employers, the construction and trade industries, and New Jersey's ability to compete in a knowledge-based economy. 

The bond issue will help our institutions build their highest priority needs -- many relate directly to the STEM fields and preparation for professions crucial to the future of New Jersey.

The bond will also help make our institutions more affordable and accessible. We will also be able to retain more of our homegrown talent. We lose over 35,000 students a year to colleges in other states, which costs the state economy billions of dollars per year and the loss of much of our investment in young people. It is important for the public to know that 90% of students at institutions that will benefit from the bond issue are from the Garden State.

We are deeply grateful to voters of New Jersey who came out in considerable numbers to cast their vote -- some at great personal inconvenience.

We appreciate the support of our coalition partners -- business, industry, and labor -- as well as the support of many New Jersey opinion leaders.

We look forward to informing the public on progress made over the months ahead as the institutions begin building facilities to serve the needs of tens of thousands of students from New Jersey and the priority needs of the state.

At the time of this statement, 62.8% of the electorate had voted in favor of the bond issue.

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Now Available!

The 2013 State College/University Accountability Sourcebook

The Sourcebook continues to be a source of important comparative information on enrollment and financial trends and how New Jersey "measures up" against other states on college opportunity and performance.  Go to publications page to see new Sourcebook.

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