S2922

An Act establishing a “Rutgers, The State University Study Commission.”

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. There is established a commission to be known as the “Rutgers, The State University Study Commission.” The commission shall consist of nine members as follows: the Secretary of Higher Education, who shall serve ex officio; two members to be appointed by the Board of Governors of Rutgers, The State University from among its members; two members to be appointed by the Board of Trustees of Rutgers, The State University from among its members; two members of the Senate to be appointed by the President thereof, no more than one of whom shall be of the same political party; and two members of the General Assembly to be appointed by the Speaker thereof, no more than one of whom shall be of the same political party.

2. All appointments to the commission shall be made within 30 days of the effective date of this act. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties within the limits of funds made available to the commission for its purposes.

3. a. The commission shall organize within 30 days after the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson from among its members and a secretary who need not be a member of the commission.

b. Staff and related support services shall be provided to the commission by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. The commission shall also be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes.

4. It shall be the duty of the commission to study and make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the governance structure of Rutgers, The State University (“Rutgers”). The commission shall identify and examine:

a. current statutes and institutional policies regarding the governance of Rutgers;

b. policies, practices, and board restructuring options that could enhance the effective and efficient governance of Rutgers; and

c. any other issue or matter that the commission deems necessary or appropriate.

5. The commission shall meet at the times and locations that it designates. The commission shall issue a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), no later than 6 months following the effective date of this act. The commission shall expire upon the issuance of the report.

6. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes a commission to be known as the “Rutgers, The State University Study Commission.” The commission will consist of nine members as follows: the Secretary of Higher Education; two members to be appointed by the Board of Governors of Rutgers, The State University from among its members; two members to be appointed by the Board of Trustees of Rutgers, The State University from among its members; two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate President; and two members of the General Assembly to be appointed by the Speaker.

Under the bill, the commission is charged with studying and making recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the governance of Rutgers, The State University (“Rutgers”). Specifically, the commission will identify and examine:

· current statutes and institutional policies regarding the governance of Rutgers;

· policies, practices, and board restructuring options that could enhance the governance of Rutgers; and

· any other issue or matter that the commission deems necessary or appropriate.

The commission is required to issue a final report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 6 months following the bill’s effective date. The commission will expire upon the issuance of the report.