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Bill

Bill

S 690

Requires four-year public institutions of higher education to require undergraduate students to complete course on climate change.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Greenstein and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill requires all public four-year universities to mandate undergraduate climate change coursework for degree completion.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
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Bill Summary · S 690

Legislative bill overview

S 690 mandates that all four-year public colleges and universities in New Jersey require undergraduate students to complete at least one course on climate change as part of their degree requirements. The bill would apply to all public higher education institutions in the state and would become a graduation requirement for all undergraduate programs.

Why is this important

Climate literacy is increasingly viewed as essential preparation for informed citizenship and workforce participation across sectors. This requirement would ensure all New Jersey undergraduates gain baseline knowledge about climate science, impacts, and policy—affecting tens of thousands of students annually and potentially influencing similar policies in other states.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum control concerns: Critics may argue this represents state overreach into institutional academic autonomy and curriculum design, which traditionally falls under faculty and institution governance
  • Implementation costs and flexibility: Questions about whether institutions have resources to develop or expand climate courses, whether online/hybrid options suffice, and whether existing environmental courses could satisfy the requirement
  • Content definition disputes: Disagreement over what constitutes an appropriate "climate change" curriculum—whether it emphasizes scientific consensus, economic trade-offs, policy solutions, or other frameworks, and which disciplines should teach it
  • Mandate timing: With the bill just introduced, concerns about the timeline for institutional preparation before enforcement

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

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