AAUP seeks ‘dedicated’ fund to support higher education

Students, professors and local community members conversed with two state legislators on matters of higher education during one of six legislative breakfasts hosted by the N.J. State Conference of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) on Tuesday, March 6.

Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein from the 14th District and state Sen. Shirley Turner from the 15th District attended as the AAUP unveiled its 2008 state budget recommendations.

“One of the top priorities for New Jersey’s AAUP is to increase state funding for the tuition assistance grants program, which goes directly to students,” said English professor Judith Johnston, president of the N.J. State Conference of the AAUP.

Finding a dedicated source of revenue to fund higher education for the years to come is one of the eight recommendations the AAUP has for Gov. Jon Corzine.

Other NJ AAUP recommendations include providing tuition assistance grants for part-time students and establishing “long-term capital investment in higher education.”
As part of statewide effort, the AAUP brought its message to Rider, Rutgers, Montclair, Rowan, Jersey City State and William Paterson.

While state budget hearings and negotiations are ongoing since Corzine announced his proposed budget on Feb. 22, Turner said many legislators are “numbed by the numbers [and] need a personal connection.”

Johnston points out the role students have in encouraging funding for higher education.
“We know that legislators want to hear from students on the need for these grants,” said Johnston. “Student voices are important in Trenton.”


— By Jamie Papapetros