BELOW: AFT New Jersey President Jennifer S. Higgins (second from left) gathers on June 11 with AFTNJ staff and higher education personnel in the hallway leading to the New Jersey State House in Trenton.

 
Tardi, Eng, and others met with State Senator Parker Space (below, second from the left) of the Military and Veterans Affairs committee.

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.

For the past two years, William Paterson University (WP), a majority minority-serving university, has faced a financial crisis that resulted in two rounds of employee layoffs, department and program restructuring, and program eliminations. Additional economic support from state or federal funds is desperately needed to help stabilize our university, maintain quality faculty and staff, and protect academic integrity. Without this support, WP students will confront increases in tuition that they and their families cannot sustain.

With time running out on finalizing New Jersey’s fiscal year 2024 budget, we must act now. By clicking here and entering your name and address, then tapping the start writing button, you will automatically be ready to connect with the representatives in your district. From there, you can customize a letter requesting funding for WP (or you can send the letter as it is worded).

Please take a minute to send a message informing your state representatives about the important role William Paterson plays in the Wayne and Paterson communities and its importance to our state’s higher education system.

Click here to send your letter today.

AFT Local 1796 and the WP community appreciate your support.

Milton Eng, Sue Tardi and Chriss Williams

Chriss Williams, Sue Tardi and Ceasar Castro

Council President Tim Haresign and AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera

AFT Local 1839 President Barbara Hildner

AFT President Randi Weingarten

Let’s continue to fight for increased state funding of minority-serving institutions by tagging Governor Murphy on Twitter/Instagram (@GovMurph) #FundNJCU