Rutgers Must Make Its Case in Trenton

March 3, 2005

Members of the Rutgers Community:

Earlier this week, Acting Governor Richard Codey presented his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2006, which begins July 1. He outlined a proposal that reduces overall state spending by 2.2 percent, with cuts in the budgets of each Cabinet agency, reduced homestead rebates, and a one-year suspension of the NJ Saver program.

In terms of higher education, base funding for Rutgers and the other senior public colleges and universities is essentially held level, with full funding of fringe benefits and partial funding of salary increases. The budget proposal calls for select increases in student financial assistance programs, particularly in Tuition Aid Grants, and continues funding for the Stem Cell Institute.

These are noteworthy commitments, especially in light of such an austere budget, and we are very grateful to the Governor for them. But we must keep in mind that this proposal will be closely scrutinized and actively debated by the Legislature and that the final details of next year's budget will not be decided until June. It is likely that there will be intense pressure from many sectors to restore proposed cuts, and if these efforts are successful, cuts would shift to other areas. It is, therefore, critical that we as members of the university community speak forcefully and consistently on Rutgers' behalf throughout the budget process.

As the budget conversation develops in the weeks ahead and the situation is clarified, I will likely be asking you to communicate with our leaders in Trenton in support of Rutgers. When that time comes, I hope you will be willing to assist us in this way.

In anticipation of the budget season, I met with many of our state's leaders over the past several months. In these discussions I emphasized that a strong public higher education system is essential for New Jersey to remain economically competitive, and illustrated the many ways in which Rutgers in particular contributes to New Jersey's economic strength.

I strongly support the Rutgers student rally in Trenton scheduled for Monday, March 7. The rally will stress that funding for higher education is a sound investment in our state's future teachers, business executives, scientists, engineers, and other community leaders. I encourage all students to consider attending. While each Rutgers faculty member must make a determination regarding course work, I encourage the faculty to be sensitive to students who plan to attend the rally and, where possible, to allow those students to make up any class work missed.

Another vital way for students, faculty, and staff to advocate for Rutgers is through the Friends of Rutgers advocacy network. If you have not already signed up, please register today. The web site is at http://for.rutgers.edu/, and signing up only takes a couple of minutes. The more members of FOR we can get involved, the stronger, more united, and more effective our message to the leadership in Trenton will be.

It is evident by his budget proposal that Governor Codey and his administration have heard our message that quality higher education is critical to the state's future. We must take that same message to the Legislature, which will be faced with very difficult choices in the months ahead. I am confident that with your advocacy and support, we can help the Legislature and the Governor address the state's fiscal challenges while ensuring that Rutgers continues to meet the needs of our students and the citizens of New Jersey.

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