Response to Governor's Budget Proposal

February 24, 2004

Members of the Rutgers Community:

There is promising news for Rutgers in the state budget Governor McGreevey proposed this week. He has called for level base operating funding for Rutgers, which contrasts markedly with the severe cuts of the past two years and is a welcome step in the right direction. While the university has not received all the details of the budget proposal, we are also encouraged by the Governor’s recommended increases in Tuition Aid Grants and full funding of the Outstanding Scholars Recruitment Program, his partial funding of salary increases, and his proposal to establish a stem cell research institute.

We are grateful to the governor for his budget proposals for higher education, but it is important to remember that the budget process has only just begun and that the Legislature will confront many conflicting funding priorities. In the coming weeks I will share more budget information and ask your help in advocating for Rutgers in the Legislature.

Our advocacy is vital. This year’s proposed budget is better than last year’s because of our combined efforts; your voices were heard and made a difference. At the same time, we at Rutgers must also keep in mind the larger picture. Tuesday’s Targum editorial put it succinctly: “In order to fulfill the state’s needs and become a great university, Rutgers needs more money.” We appreciate the governor’s proposal, especially in light of continued revenue constraints, but we also recognize that state funding cuts over the past three years have left Rutgers with a $61 million shortfall. Underfunding by the state has hamstrung our ability to realize Rutgers’ potential to become a top-tier public research university. Over the coming years, as the state’s economy improves, we need to restore the university’s funding to a level that meets our growing needs and truly reflects Rutgers’ value to New Jersey.

The best way you can show your support for Rutgers’ funding needs – this year and beyond – is to join the Friends of Rutgers network. The website is at http://for.rutgers.edu, and it takes just a couple of minutes to register. Just signing up for Friends of Rutgers is an important show of support. It lets legislators know that people in the Rutgers community care deeply about the university, its future, and its funding.

You can be sure that I will continue to meet with legislators and administration leaders to advocate for Rutgers and for higher education. But as I have heard again and again from legislators, nothing is more effective than to hear directly from people who live in their districts. Whether you are a Rutgers student, faculty member, alumnus, or staff member, you have the ability to influence public policy, and we need to have your help. What you do on behalf of Rutgers really does matter and is appreciated.

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