18A:3B-8 Responsibilities of council.

8. The council shall have the responsibility, consistent with State and federal law, to:

a. provide public information and research on higher education issues;

b. review and make recommendations to the commission concerning proposals for new programs that exceed the programmatic mission of an institution or that change the programmatic mission of an institution;

c. review and comment on proposals for new programs that demand significant added resources or raise significant issues of duplication but do not exceed the programmatic mission of the institution or require a change in the programmatic mission. If the council determines that a proposed new program is unduly expensive or unduly duplicative, the council shall refer that proposal to the commission for review; however, unless the commission disapproves of that program within 60 days of its referral, the program shall be deemed approved;

d. encourage the formation of regional or other alliances among institutions including interinstitutional transfers, program articulation, cooperative programs and shared resources and develop criteria for "full faith and credit" transfer agreements between county colleges and other institutions of higher education. The council shall also keep institutions apprised of the discontinuance of programs at other institutions and each president shall notify the council of any such action;

e. advise and assist the commission in developing and updating a plan for higher education in the State including, but not limited to, the establishment of new institutions, closure of existing institutions and consolidation of institutions;

f. provide policy recommendations on Statewide higher education issues;

g. recommend to the Governor, Legislature and commission on policy and overall levels of funding for student aid programs necessary to ensure accessibility to higher education;

h. transmit to the Governor, Legislature and commission a general budget policy statement regarding overall State funding levels;

i. upon referral from the commission pursuant to this act provide recommendations concerning institutional licensure and university status;

j. appoint subcommittees consisting of the presidents of the institutions of the various higher education sectors to decide matters, within the authority of the council. The presidents of the independent institutions shall develop a unified request for State support under chapter 72B of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. The presidents of the county college sector shall develop a unified request for State support under chapter 64A of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes; and

k. consult with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority concerning student assistance matters.

L.1994,c.48,s.8; amended 1995, c.268, s.2; 1999, c.46, s.29.