Among New Jersey’s crowning achievements is its education system, and its ability to produce a skilled and productive workforce. It is one of the state’s proudest boasts, and it remains our competitive advantage and a fundamental reason why companies recruit here and settle here.
So in what world does it make sense to cut state aid for our community college by 12% -- as Gov. Murphy proposes in his 2025 fiscal budget -- if the state’s goal is to train and maintain this stellar workforce asset?
The 18 community colleges already operate on razor-thin revenues, and this cut would bring their funding down to 2002 levels.
We spoke with Dr. Aaron Fichtner Thursday, president of the NJ Council of County Colleges, whose member schools have played a vital role in producing that workforce. Here is our abridged conversation:
Q. How do you explain the role that community colleges play in our state?
A. They educate 230,000 New Jerseyans every year -- that’s four out of 10 students in all colleges and universities -- and our graduates power the economy in so many key industries, from healthcare to manufacturing to financial services to logistics. They play an absolutely critical role in expanding economic and educational opportunities for so many New Jerseyans.
Q. When community colleges were founded, the formula was supposed to be 33% the funding from the state, 33% from counties, and 33% from tuition fees. Now the state contribution is down to about 20%. How does this make sense? Why did this cease to be a priority?
A. It’s been a longstanding issue. As you noted, it was supposed to be a three-way split, but we’ve never lived up to those expectations on the state level, and more of the burden of paying for community colleges falls in the laps of students.
Now, the state has been generous in expanding student financial aid programs. Gov. Murphy championed the creation of the Community College Opportunity Grant program that’s helped many lower-income students go to community college for free or at a reduced cost – that’s been transformative. But the state investment in operating aid is critical to the ability of our colleges to function and to keep tuition low, and to offer quality programs that are aligned with the needs of the local economy.
Q. Now the governor’s budget calls for the state ante to drop by 12% You’ve said this would trigger a series of very difficult decisions. What kind of decisions do these colleges dread the most?
A. These proposed cuts are deeply concerning to our colleges that already operate on tight budgets. Colleges will be forced to consider tuition increases, cutting programs and services to students, cutting academic programs that are connected to the needs of local employers. All of those options are on the table.
But at a time when a post-secondary college education is more important to more people, we should be moving forward and not moving backwards. We’re seeing states around the country making investments in community colleges while inexplicably we are disinvesting.
Q. The legislative testimony from some of your college presidents were compelling: Dr. Connolly of Sussex CC, said a small cut could threaten the existence of a cutting-edge programs like Optics Technology; Dr. Iacono of CCM said it would devastate the medical industry’s request to get 2,000 new nurses in the pipeline. You could almost hear branches of New Jersey’s labor market creaking.
A. Correct. Think about the number of people in healthcare occupations, the people in manufacturing and technology, in IT, that got their start at community colleges. And we’re proud of all of the work our 18 colleges do every day, but state investment is critical to their ability to meet the needs of employers across the state.
Q. You mentioned the CC Opportunity Grant program. More than 30 states now have some tuition-free system, and New Jersey’s income-based eligibility program seems popular. From where you sit, how is CCOG working and how can we improve it?
A. The CCOG has been transformative for a large number of students who now can go to community college tuition-free or at a reduced cost, so we applaud the governor’s leadership and look forward to working with the administration to expand it. One of the most exciting parts is that half of the students who are getting assistance through CCOG are adult students, returning to college to get a post-secondary credential or degree, and this allows them to do it in a more affordable way.
We would like to expand eligibility to more income levels, because we believe that if we are going to have a prosperous, equitable New Jersey then we need to help more New Jerseyans get some post-secondary education. Not every New Jerseyan is going to get a four-year degree, but looking at labor market trends, we believe that everyone’s going to need some post-secondary education, and community colleges are well-positioned to provide that.
Q. In 2017, when you were the Department of Labor commissioner under Gov. Christie, you launched the “65 by 25″ initiative, which aimed to have 65% of NJ adults attain a post-secondary degree or a “industry-valued” credential by 2025. How is that going, and what role have community colleges played?
A. It’s currently at 58.9%, and it’s important to reach the 65% goal and go higher going forward. The percentage of Black and Hispanic residents of our state who have earned a post-secondary degree or credential is far lower, however. Community colleges are the cornerstone of the effort to build a skilled workforce and expand opportunities to all New Jerseyans. The workforce development and academic programs that our colleges offer are connected to the needs of the economy and are really critical to our state’s future.
Q. So what happens to this initiative if this budget cut goes through?
A. It’s going to significantly undermine our effort to help more people get a post-secondary degree or credential. We really can’t afford at this point in our state’s history to allow our economy is to step backwards. We need to help more people get on a path to a family-supporting career and to help power the economy. If you look at the technological changes that we’re all experiencing – starting with AI -- we need a strong network of community colleges for the future of our communities and for our residents.
Q. How successful have you been in getting the ears of legislators throughout this process?
A. They’ve been responsive because both Democrats and Republicans understand how important these institutions are. Part of it is that they’re locally driven. Everyone is confident that Sussex County Community College is going to meet the needs of that community, just as Passaic County Community College meets the needs of their community. We combine the local-driven nature of our colleges with a statewide network – this is exciting. We are confident the Legislature and the governor will keep this in mind when they finalize the state budget.
Q. What else is happening in your world that the lawmakers and taxpayers need to know?
A. Our colleges are innovating and transforming in ways to ensure that we meet the changing needs of our residents and of our economy -- everything from new partnerships with high schools and labor unions and employers, to new student success and career pathways initiatives, while working to help students make sure they’re getting access to food, housing, transportation, and all those things that tend to undermine someone’s ability to complete college.
The transformation is profound. In fact, the council is releasing a new Opportunity Agenda next week and inviting our employers, workforce development, and social justice partners – as well as the governor and state legislators – to work with us to expand opportunities for all New Jerseyans. This is not a moment to exhale. State investment in community colleges is essential to our state’s efforts to build a more prosperous and equitable New Jersey.
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