N.J. college presidents decry planned higher-ed cuts

TRENTON - Proposed state aid cuts to higher education would result in tuition increases, bigger classes, and fewer scholarships, according to nine New Jersey public college presidents who decried the cuts at a legislative hearing Wednesday.

Gov. Christie's budget calls for cutting $173 million in aid for the fiscal year beginning July 1, on top of a midyear cut this year.

The governor has proposed sweeping cuts in school and municipal aid, as well as higher education, to close a multibillion-dollar budget gap.

Even without the latest cuts, the state ranked 47th in higher-education appropriations, according to the Association of State Colleges and Universities.

"This is a sorry story for a wealthy state like New Jersey to let its colleges and universities fall into decrepitude, with consequences for the next generation of students as well as our economy," said Rutgers University president Richard McCormick, one of the nine who testified before the Assembly Budget Committee.

He said all college presidents would try to keep their campuses intact no matter the budget. But, he said, practical implications of the budget cuts would include less faculty research and delays in graduation because students would have longer waits to get all the courses they needed.

"As we approach the next cut, I don't believe we can leave the academic side untouched," said R. Barbara Gitenstein, president of the College of New Jersey.

Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone III (R., Burlington) said a long-term solution was needed. He said the state had consistently shorted colleges and universities even in years when a more robust economy assured there was ample money.

"We have done a horrific job supporting the higher-ed community," said Malone. "You should not have to beg every year for your existence."

McCormick said New Jersey was the only state "disinvesting" in its colleges and universities before the recession hit. He said that 42 states were investing in public colleges and universities at double-digit levels when the economy was strong and that seven were pumping in funding at single-digit levels.

The Assembly panel earlier reviewed the Department of Community Affairs budget, which would cut $450 million in aid to municipalities.

Acting Community Affairs Commissioner Lori Grifa said towns could keep within tight new spending caps without significantly raising property taxes or cutting services, but the head of the Assembly budget panel said he didn't see how.

Towns are being encouraged to share services, Grifa said, and collective-bargaining and civil-service changes are in the works.

Christie has proposed a 2.5 percent annual spending cap for towns and cities. They currently operate under a 4 percent cap, but exemptions are easier to get than they would be under Christie's plan.

Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis D. Greenwald (D., Camden) said Christie's formula was flawed. He said a similar cap in Massachusetts had been offset by an increase in state aid to towns.