Advocates are urging New Jersey’s next governor to increase the state’s investments and support for higher education.
New Jersey Policy Perspective president Gordon MacInnes says a pattern of disinvestment in the state’s public colleges and universities over the last quarter century has resulted in high costs and rising debt for students.
He says the Secretary of Education lacks the resources to analyze the performance of colleges and maximize opportunities.
“Even the Commission on Higher Education, which was primarily lay persons, that was signed out of existence six years ago. And there’s not even a public body that sort of is a source of information and discussion.”
Assembly Higher Education Committee chair Mila Jasey says some lawmakers want to consider whether the state should switch to having a Higher Education Commissioner.
“I think a position with greater authority at the state level, and sufficient resources, is most definitely part of the answer to ensure a strategic approach to ensuring the availability of affordable, accessible, and relevant programs.”