Sponsored by:
Senator VINCENT J. POLISTINA
District 2 (Atlantic)
Senator ANDREW ZWICKER
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator McKnight
SYNOPSIS
Permanently designates November 8 of each year as "First-Generation College Student Day" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution permanently designating November 8 of each year as “First-Generation College Student Day” in New Jersey.
Whereas, First-generation college students are the first in their family to attend and graduate from an institution of higher education; and
Whereas, It is estimated that 56 percent of all current college students are first-generation college students; and
Whereas, First-generation college students face substantial barriers and unique challenges when navigating the academic, financial, and social aspects of college; and
Whereas, These students often overcome financial hardships, a lack of familial guidance, and system inequalities that make access to and completion of college more difficult; and
Whereas, November 8th is nationally recognized as “First-Generation College Student Day” to honor first-generation college students who are paving the way for future generations in their family; and
Whereas, November 8th honors the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. ss.1001 et seq.) by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965; and
Whereas, The Higher Education Act of 1965 focused on increasing postsecondary education access and success for students, particularly low-income and first-generation college students; and
Whereas, “First-Generation College Student Day” is celebrated nationally by institutions of higher education and organizations across the country who recognize and support first-generation students through various events and initiatives; and
Whereas, First-generation college students contribute significantly to the workforce, innovation, and economic and social advancement of the State; and
Whereas, Designating November 8th as “First-Generation College Student Day” in New Jersey will promote awareness, encourage institutional support, and highlight the achievements of first-generation students; and
Whereas, The Legislature finds it altogether fitting and proper to permanently designate November 8th of each year as “First-Generation College Student Day” to recognize the perseverance, resilience, and accomplishments of first-generation students and to encourage initiatives to promote the success of those students; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. November 8 of each year shall be permanently designated as “First-Generation College Student Day” to recognize the perseverance, resilience, and accomplishments of first-generation students and to encourage initiatives to promote the success of those students.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing November 8 as “First-Generation College Student Day” in New Jersey, and calling upon institutions of higher education, public officials, and citizens of the State to observe this day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution permanently designates November 8 as “First-Generation College Student Day” in New Jersey to recognize the perseverance, resilience, and accomplishments of first-generation students and to encourage initiatives to promote the success of those students.
First-generation college students are the first in their family to attend and graduate from an institution of higher education and may face substantial barriers and unique challenges when navigating the academic, financial, and social aspects of college.
November 8th is nationally recognized as “First-Generation College Student Day” to honor first-generation college students who are paving the way for future generations in their family. November 8th honors the anniversary of the signing of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965. This act focused on increasing postsecondary education access and success for students, particularly low-income and first-generation college students.
“First-Generation College Student Day” is celebrated nationally by institutions of higher education and organizations across the country who recognize and support first-generation students through various events and initiatives. Due to the contributions of first-generation students to the workforce, innovation, and economic and social advancement of the State, it is fitting to permanently designate November 8th as “First-Generation College Student Day” in New Jersey.