Testimony Will Include Updates Regarding Implementation of Restructuring Act, Bond
TRENTON – The Senate Higher Education Committee will host a hearing on Thursday, December 13 to hear testimony from Secretary of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks and newly-appointed Presidents from colleges and universities throughout New Jersey. The Committee will meet at 10 AM in Committee Room 7 of the State House Annex.
The Committee has invited Secretary Hendricks to provide an update on the implementation of New Jersey’s higher education restructuring – a law passed in June that combined the resources of New Jersey’s colleges, universities, hospitals and medical schools to create a world-class network in life sciences education within the state – as well as the implementation of the Higher Education bond referendum – a $750 million bond approved by voters this past November that will provide New Jersey’s colleges and universities with much-needed capitol improvement funding. This will be the first time that Secretary Hendricks has testified in front of the Senate Higher Education Committee.
Additionally, Committee members will hear testimony from recently-appointed college and university presidents regarding their visions for the future of their respective institutions. Currently Dr. Robert L. Barchi, MD, PhD of Rutgers University, Dr. Joel Bloom, EdD of New Jersey Institute of Technology, Dr. B. Kaye Walter of Bergen Community College, Dr. Maureen Murphy of Brookdale Community College and David C. Hespe of Burlington County College have confirmed their attendance.
“New Jersey has world-class higher education institutions that, with the help of recent measures such as the restructuring act and the bond referendum, will only get better,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson, and Chairwoman of the Senate Higher Education Committee. “I look forward to hearing from Secretary Hendricks as well as the state’s newly-appointed college presidents so that we can continue our forward–thinking approach to higher education in the state.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee will also meet on Thursday. The hearing to interview and consider numerous nominees will begin at 1 PM in Committee Room 4 of the State House Annex.
In addition to hearing from various nominees, the Judiciary Committee will also consider legislation to overhaul New Jersey’s human trafficking law to protect victims and increase penalties for perpetrators. The Committee will also consider a bill that would allow freeholders and municipal clerks to solemnize marriages and civil unions in the Garden State.