College laboratories or more debt?
By Peter Sclafani, Special Writer
On Nov. 6, New Jersey voters will decide whether to bond for $750 million for state higher education.
The “Building Our Future Bond Act,” listed as Question 1, would provide matching grants to improve the infrastructure of academic buildings on the campuses of four- and two-year public universities and colleges.
According to Spencer Klein, a senior at Rutgers University and president of New Jersey United Students, students often bemoan the lack of attention paid to the buildings on campus, some of which do not meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, he said.
On the other side, according to the League of Women Voters website, one reason to vote against the question might be questioning the wisdom of taking on more state debt during an economic downturn and slow recovery.
Proponents say that the bonds would improve the infrastructure of New Jersey’s college campuses, create short-term construction jobs and help draw research opportunities to college campuses.
”The significant capital construction funding contained in this referendum will jump-start dozens of development projects all over the state, and result in thousands of new job opportunities immediately,” said Bill Mullen, president of the New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council.
According to League of Women Voters background, the institutions seeking bond funds will submit long-range facility plans to the Secretary of Higher Education. Only projects such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer facilities and other academic buildings are eligible. Dormitories, administrative buildings, athletic facilities or other revenue-producing facilities are not eligible.
The Secretary of Higher Education will prepare a list of eligible projects with priority given to those deemed construction-ready. The secretary will submit the list to the Legislature and, if there are no objections within 60 days, the entire list will be deemed approved. Funds are to be appropriated no later than June 30, 2013.
Dr. Robert Barchi, president of Rutgers University, believes the additional funds may be key to Rutgers competing with research universities around the country.
”Investing in new classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories is about New Jersey meeting the global competition head-on,” Dr. Barchi said. “It’s about New Jersey kids who are coming out of high school knowing that they can get the top-notch, 21st-century preparation in our colleges for a market where they need to be smarter, faster, more nimble, and more high-tech than ever before.”
Sixty-two percent of registered voters support the bond referendum, ’according to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll reported on Oct. 5.
”This is a great first step to rebuilding the infrastructure of higher education in New Jersey, which is quite literally crumbling,” Mr. Connelly said.
New Jersey state government last issued bonds to pay for education in 1988, when voters OK’d $350 million.
Former Gov. Thomas Kean, a Republican and the former president of Drew University, said he was “honored to help lead this coalition because it is so important to our state’s economic future, ensures our kids are prepared for a competitive global economy.” He said passage would send “a strong message that New Jersey is serious about attracting the high-tech jobs of the future.”
According to the question, money would be divided up:
• $300 million to support the public research institutions of Rutgers University, NJIT and Rowan;
• $247.5 million to the nine four-year colleges and universities, such as Montclair State University;
• $150 million for the 19 county colleges, and
• $52.5 million to private schools with an endowment of less than $1 billion (this provision disqualifies Princeton).
Public and private colleges and universities that receive grants will be required to provide funds to support 25 percent of a project, according to the League of Women Voters.
”With this money, there is a lot of potential for improvement,” Matt Benavente, a senior at Montclair State University, said. “My school has potential to grow due to its great location near the city, and the money will help us grow.”
The bond question passed in June in the state Assembly, 77-1, and state Senate, 38-1, and was signed by Gov. Chris Christie.
The lone “no” Senate vote came from Michael Doherty of Warren County. His office provided a letter he sent to a constituent on the matter. It read:
”I voted against the higher education ballot question because New Jersey already has too much debt. Our credit rating was just downgraded and we are borrowing another $750 million.
”This new debt will have to be paid back in the form of higher taxes and higher tuition rates.
”Is this making college more affordable? Will this lower taxes?
”Many colleges have been on building sprees in the last few years. Stockton State College is a good example. We need to tighten our belt right now, and not add more debt.
”I recommend holding more classes at night and on weekends if more space is needed. I have not heard about a space crunch.”
“’”Students from state schools such as Rutgers and Montclair hope the funds will help jump start investment in education.
”I think it is quite a remarkable thing whenever you can get students and lawmakers and administrators all on the same side,” John Connelly, president of the Rutgers University Student Assembly, said. “We all have the same realization that this is in the best interest of not just the average New Jersey student, but the average resident.”

