On October 22, 2025, members of AFT Local 1796 attended the first-ever Legislative Breakfast for northern New Jersey. The event brought together AFT members from William Paterson University, Montclair State University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Kean University, and New Jersey City University, along with approximately ten state legislators, including key leaders from the Assembly and Senate higher education committees.
Students shared first-hand experiences of the challenges they face in pursuing a college education in New Jersey, while union leaders advocated for sustained legislative support for higher education in our state.
With upcoming elections, proposed legislation for a statewide higher education task force, a merger between two public universities in northern New Jersey, federal positions on First Amendment rights on college campuses, cuts to federally funded research, and other national debates, events like this provide a vital opportunity to share our vision for higher education with state lawmakers.