AJR27

A Joint Resolution designating April of each year as “County College Month” in New Jersey.

Whereas, According to the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, New Jersey’s 19 county colleges enroll more than 300,000 students a year at over 70 campuses throughout the State, making county colleges the largest higher education sector in New Jersey; and

Whereas, According to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, the average in-district tuition for full-time students attending a county college for the 2018-2019 academic year is $3,945. The average in-State tuition for a full-time county college student is $5,898, as compared to the average in-State tuition of $11,533 for full-time undergraduate students attending a New Jersey senior public institution of higher education; and

Whereas, By providing over 2,000 high-quality transfer programs, occupational programs, continuing education courses, business support services, and community service programs at reasonably low costs, New Jersey’s county colleges continue to meet the ever-changing needs of New Jersey’s students and residents; and

Whereas, Nationally, county colleges serve more than 40 percent of all college students in the United States and contribute $800 billion to America’s economy, while receiving just one-eighth the amount of appropriations that their four-year counterparts receive; and

Whereas, County colleges serve an increasingly diverse student population and, according to the American Association of Community Colleges, there are more than 12 million students currently enrolled at community colleges across the nation, many of whom are unable to afford the tuition costs at four-year institutions of higher education; and

Whereas, In addition to helping students complete academic degrees, county colleges serve an integral role in workforce development. Through the establishment of career and technical education programs that link rigorous academics, technical knowledge, and real-world experience, county colleges provide clear pathways for students and help to develop a strong pipeline of well-trained employees to meet the critical needs of business and industry; and

Whereas, Recognizing the vital role of county colleges, President Ronald Reagan, on December 6, 1985, issued Proclamation No. 5418 proclaiming the month of February 1986 as “National Community College Month”; and

Whereas, Later moved to April, National Community College Month is celebrated at community colleges throughout the nation as a time to recognize and raise awareness of the hard work and achievement happening every day on community college campuses; and

Whereas, Many of the New Jersey’s county colleges, and community colleges throughout the nation, support the month by holding promotional events and developing educational materials designed to highlight the importance of county colleges and the contributions of their faculty, staff, and students; and

Whereas, The establishment of a County College Month in New Jersey will serve to improve the understanding of the citizens of the State on the critical role performed by county colleges and the hard work and achievement occurring every day on county college campuses by students, faculty, and staff; now, therefore,

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

1. April of each year is designated as “County College Month” in New Jersey in order to recognize the critical role that county colleges play in the education of the citizens of the State and in fostering and addressing the State’s economic development through its educational and workforce development efforts.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing April as “County College Month” in New Jersey and calling upon schools, county colleges, the citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates April of each year as “County College Month” in New Jersey in order to recognize the critical role that county colleges play in the education of the citizens of the State and in fostering and addressing the State’s economic development through its educational and workforce development efforts. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan, recognizing the vital role of county colleges, issued Proclamation No. 5418 proclaiming February 1986 as “National Community College Month.” Later moved to April, National Community College Month is celebrated at community colleges throughout the nation as a time to recognize and raise awareness of the hard work and achievement happening every day on community college campuses. Establishing a County College Month in New Jersey will recognize the contributions made by these institutions and serve to improve the understanding of the citizens of the State on the critical role performed by county colleges and the hard work and achievement occurring every day on county college campuses by students, faculty, and staff.

Under the joint resolution, the Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing April as “County College Month” in New Jersey and calling upon schools, county colleges, the citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.