Christie Selects Panels For Higher Ed. Reform

Underscoring his commitment to higher education, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today appointed members to both the Governor’s Higher Education Council and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) Advisory Committee.  His appointments are part of the Administration’s continued focus on reforming the state’s higher education system and improving its overall quality and effectiveness.  Both the Council and the Advisory Committee came as a result of recommendations from the Higher Education Task Force, chaired by Governor Tom Kean, which made recommendations to the Governor earlier this year. 

“New Jersey’s institutions of higher education are invaluable assets that strengthen our state’s workforce quality and bolster the foundational industries of our economy.  Thanks to the work of Governor Tom Kean, we have a blueprint for continuing to ensure the strength, quality and effectiveness of higher education in New Jersey.  Now, through the Higher Education Council and UMDNJ Advisory Committee, these two important bodies will provide my Administration with recommendations, ongoing guidance for the long-term needs of higher education and the unique challenges facing graduate medical education,” said Governor Chris Christie.  “I want to thank the ten individuals for agreeing to serve.  They each have demonstrated a strong commitment to our state’s higher education system and are working to ensure that the state is known for our educational excellence.”

Governor’s Higher Education CouncilFollowing through on the Higher Education Task Force’s recommendation, Governor Christie signed Executive Order No. 52 creating the Governor’s Higher Education Council.  The Council will serve as an advisory body to the Governor on all higher education matters and provide recommendations on statewide initiatives for the higher education system.

The Governor’s Higher Education Council will be chaired by John McGoldrick, who previously served on the Higher Education Task Force and is Chair of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. and members will include: Vice Chair Anne Evans Estabrook, Chief Executive of Elberon Development Co. and longtime college trustee; Patricia Nachtigal, former Vice Chair of Rutgers's Board of Governors; John Wefing, Esq., Law Professor at Seton Hall University; and Dr. Richard Wellbrock, former Chairman of Raritan Valley Community College Board of Trustees and Chairman of Hilltop Community Bank of Summit.  Each member will be appointed to a 5-year term.  These direct appointments by the Governor do not require Senate confirmation and each member will serve without compensation.

UMDNJ Advisory CommitteeThe UMDNJ Advisory Committee will examine the delivery of graduate medical education in the state and develop recommendations for the Governor on how to improve its delivery and remain competitive.  The Advisory Committee will also review the recommendations made by the Higher Education Task Force concerning graduate medical education and UMDNJ’s structure.  Specifically, the Advisory Committee will consider:

• Whether Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the School of Public Health should be merged with Rutgers University’s New Brunswick-Piscataway campuses;
• Whether UMDNJ’s Newark-based schools should be merged with any of the senior public higher education institutions in Newark;
• Whether UMDNJ’s South Jersey-based school should be merged with any of the senior public higher education institutions in South Jersey;
• The role and mission of University Hospital;
• Whether NJIT should start its own medical school;
• How graduate medical education should be delivered in South Jersey; and
• Whether the various public nursing schools should be merged.

The UMDNJ Advisory Committee will be chaired by Dr. Sol J. Barer, Executive Chairman of Celgene and members will include: Robert E. Campbell, former Vice Chairman of Johnson & Johnson; Joyce Wilson Harley, Esq., Essex County Administrator; Anthony J. Perno III, Esq., President & CEO of Cooper’s Ferry Development Association, Inc., and Harold T. Shapiro, Ph.D., former President of Princeton University.  A final report to the Governor outlining the Advisory Committee’s recommendations is due no later than September 1, 2011.  As part of its work, the Advisory Committee will elicit public input from individuals, the UMDNJ community, medical and health care institutions, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties. These direct appointments by the Governor do not require Senate confirmation and each member will serve without compensation. Upon the issuance of its final report, the Advisory Committee will expire.

Since taking office, Governor Christie has signed legislation that eases restrictions on public-private partnerships between higher education institutions and private entities for on-campus construction and building improvements. The Governor’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget proposal preserves the current level of support for higher education, after years of cuts, while increasing student aid programs by $20 million and providing $15 million for capital improvements at community colleges.