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Bill

Bill

S 1999

Establishes New Jersey Higher Education Student Advisory Commission.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Vince Polistina and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a formal statewide student advisory to inform the Higher Education Secretary with annual reports and possible legislative recommendations.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1999

Overview

S 1999 (Session 222, New Jersey) establishes the New Jersey Higher Education Student Advisory Commission, an advisory body to the Secretary of Higher Education. The commission is created “in, but not of” the Department of State and is tasked with representing student perspectives across New Jersey’s higher education landscape. It would operate with a structured membership, defined duties, and annual reporting to the Legislature.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a formal, statewide channel for student input on system-wide higher education issues.
  • Ensure student voices from diverse sectors of higher education are represented in advising the Secretary of Higher Education.
  • Provide annual feedback to the Assembly and Senate Higher Education Committees on student concerns, perspectives, and experiences, with the possibility of recommending legislative initiatives.

Key provisions

  • Composition (15 members):
    • 3 student representatives from state colleges and universities (as defined by law, Chapter 64, Title 18A).
    • 1 student representative from each of the 5 public research universities.
    • 3 student representatives from county colleges.
    • 3 student representatives from independent colleges and universities.
    • 1 student representative from a proprietary degree-granting institution.
    • 1 appointee from the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA Preservice Program) representing any higher education sector.
    • The Secretary of Higher Education appoints the remaining members.
  • Appointment process:
    • Students may apply to serve by submitting an application to the Secretary of Higher Education, including campus leadership experience and a recommendation letter from the institution’s president.
    • The Secretary should strive for balanced geographic representation.
  • Term and vacancies:
    • Terms are for one year, with possible reappointment for additional terms.
    • Efforts should be made to reappoint at least one member from the prior year.
    • Vacancies are filled in the same manner as original appointments; vacancies due to term expiration are filled for the unexpired term.
  • Compensation and expenses:
    • Members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, within available funds.
  • Organization and operations:
    • The Commission must organize within 60 days of enactment, select a chair, and appoint a secretary (who may be non-member).
    • Must meet at least three times per year.
    • Meeting minutes must be posted on the Secretary of Higher Education’s website.
    • The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education provides staff support; the Commission can utilize resources from other state, county, or municipal entities as needed.
  • Duties and reporting:
    • Advise the Secretary on system-wide student concerns.
    • Annual report to the Assembly Higher Education Committee and Senate Higher Education Committee, detailing student concerns, perspectives, and experiences.
    • May recommend legislative initiatives based on input.

Who would be affected

  • Postsecondary students across New Jersey (state colleges and universities, public research universities, county colleges, independent colleges and universities, and proprietary degree-granting institutions).
  • Higher education administrators and campuses through the advisory process and the need to respond to Commission input.
  • The Secretary of Higher Education and the Office of the Secretary, which would provide staff support and coordinate reporting.
  • Legislative committees (Assembly and Senate Higher Education Committees) receiving annual reports.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Immediately upon enactment.
  • Organizational timeline: Commission to organize and be functional within 60 days of enactment.
  • Regular operations: Minimum of three meetings per year; official minutes posted online.
  • Reporting: Annual report to the relevant legislative committees; may include recommendations for legislation.

Potential impact

  • Establishes a formal, ongoing mechanism to capture and convey student experiences and concerns to state higher education leadership.
  • Aims to improve policy responsiveness across all sectors of New Jersey higher education.
  • Could inform future legislative initiatives related to funding, accessibility, affordability, student services, and academic quality.
  • Creates a structured avenue for student leadership development and statewide representation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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