ASSEMBLY CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5769

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 02, 2021

      The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5769.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill establishes Kean University as a public urban research university, a new designation within the category of public research universities.  Currently, Kean University is one of seven State colleges organized pursuant to chapter 64 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

     Under this amended bill, the current board of trustees of Kean University is continued.  The board of trustees is given authority similar to that of the boards of other public research universities in the State.    The bill adds Kean University as a member university to the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium and includes Kean University in the definition of a public or independent research university for purposes of the “Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) program.”

     Since its founding in 1885 as the Newark Normal School, Kean University has evolved from an urban-based teacher education school into a comprehensive, doctoral-granting urban research university with a global reach.  Kean University graduates, from undergraduate to doctoral programs, reflect the diversity of New Jersey’s urban centers.  Kean University’s mission statement, “to serve as active and contributing members of their communities,” along with goals to continue to evolve as a “doctoral university with rigorous research activity” and to position Kean University as a “cultural, economic, and educational epicenter for the entire community” in “Beyond 2020: Kean University Strategic Plan 2020-2025,” are consistent with criteria for urban research universities in the nation.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amendments omit a section of the bill that would remove Kean University from the membership of the New Jersey Association of State Colleges. Under the amendments, Kean University would remain a member of the association. Additionally, the committee amendments omit a related section that would reduce the number of members of the association if Kean University were removed.