Proposed Master Plan for Higher Education in New Jersey.

Overview & Synopsis

The draft Master Plan was developed in response to requirements of the New Jersey Higher Education Restructuring Act of 1994. The plan proposes a vision and broad policy recommendations for New Jersey higher education into the next century. The focus of the plan is on the critical needs of the state and how higher education can help in addressing them. The plan is organized into four sections. The first section provides data on current demographic, economic, and social characteristics of the state and characteristics of the current higher education system. The second section specifies assumptions about the future underlying recommendations in the following areas: demographic and social conditions; markets, clients, and global factors; the economy; resources; technology, infrastructure, and research; higher education faculty; higher education governance and mission differentiation; and elementary and secondary education. The third section identifies issues and current efforts concerned with: (1) economic growth, (2) education and workforce training, (3) efficient and effective use of public resources, (4) health/health care, (5) environment, and (6) community/social stability. The final section presents recommendations for each of the critical economic and societal needs of the state and also to ensure that higher education is affordable and accessible and that the overall system is excellent, effective, and efficient. An appendix presents an additional brief funding report. (DB)