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Tell Governor & State Leaders: Federal State Stimulus Money is Meant to Save Programs and Avert Cuts in Higher Education

Yes, we can defend our institutions--even in these difficult times. But we must act quickly! Please send the message below today to urge Governor Corzine and key state legislators to spend federal stimulus dollars as they were intended by law. 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, proposed by President Obama and passed by Congress, created a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. Through this fund, nearly $1.1 billion of federal stimulus aid is allocated to our State for investment in K-12 and higher education. The intent, as outlined in the guidance from the Department of Education (DOE), is to avoid devastating cuts, layoffs and mitigate the need for tuition increases. The DOE guidance document can be viewed here:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/statestabilization/guidance.pdf

Yet, it appears that Governor Corzine is refusing to spend more than a minute fraction of this aid on public higher education. Almost all of it is being allocated to the K-12 sector.  Public higher education also serves a vital public interest and deserves its fair share.    

Faculty, librarians, professional staff, employees in other bargaining units, students, and administrators need to join together and call on the state to comply with the DOE guidance and provide federal stimulus funds to our state colleges and universities. Further, Presidents of these institutions should be first in line demanding constructive solutions to our budget crisis that do not involve devastating cuts, furloughs, wage freezes etc. The absence of budgetary transparency means we cannot be certain that any of these measures are warranted.

New Jersey Senate and Assembly Budget Committees will be meeting next Tuesday (April 28) and Wednesday (April 29) to consider the proposed higher education budget and hear testimony on its impact. From there, a budget bill will be drafted by the legislative leadership to be debated by the full Legislature. We can turn this around, if you speak up now! The deadline on the state budget is June 30th, but Trenton needs to hear from us now! Send an email today!

Convincing the State to properly allocate federal stimulus dollars towards higher education in New Jersey, in line with federal guidelines will go a long way towards filling the projected budget shortfall at our institutions.

PLEASE ACT NOW—IT WON’T TAKE MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS.

NOTE: If you live out of state, use your campus address.