Governor Corzine's FY2008 Budget Proposal

February 22, 2007

Members of the Rutgers Community:

In his budget today, Governor Corzine proposed an increase in state funding for Rutgers and all of higher education.  The governor's budget proposal represents welcome progress, particularly given the state's continuing fiscal constraints. 

While we have not yet fully analyzed all of the details of the budget, the governor's proposal includes an increase of $35.7 million in direct aid to the senior public institutions, with a $12.3 million increase allocated to Rutgers.  It also includes an overall increase of $15.5 million in funding for Tuition Aid Grants to students and continues funding for the New Jersey Stem Cell Research Institute.

Over the past several months, through meetings with key members of the governor's administration and with many legislators, we have been making the case for the value of a well-supported system of higher education in New Jersey.  I would like to thank the many members of the Rutgers community who have been helpful in this regard. 

Rutgers appreciates the governor's recognition of higher education as a critical contributor to the state's economy and citizens. Throughout the legislative budget process, which concludes in June, my administration and I will continue working to ensure that funding public higher education in general, and Rutgers in particular, remains a priority for New Jersey.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey