[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6199340,"mediaKeyId","3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d","parentId",3836808,"title","Kean, New Jersey City University sign letter of intent; monitor reports debt reduction but long-term liabilities remain","audioSeconds",334,"startMs",41000,"endMs",375000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d&start=41&end=375","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d/thumbnail_41000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6199340/New-Jersey/Kean-New-Jersey-City-University-sign-letter-of-intent-monitor-reports-debt-reduction-but-long-term-liabilities-remain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199340-f6ac2796f9850e4e6cb9a91cd1ac8106/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169257&Signature=PUdUEwgvYf1JKcjdf0NgKpGTtJ8QVa~MQ6i~n0irVGZmRwPVXkq-gDkQZHg9CUaLekl4rSzx1g8paAtpLYDPFiDuKo5fabkxf38jOkBu3LD4LS59MO4jPDsasdbtKA9Ey3fsoWIZflNXixXhq7EzELflXwAiCkxUktUYm7yVn3ojdOjPlhzJIUlGBaXejbcSDoSEXBv4ZLsQgOxWArLu1UY-sLqvudi9ZPIFdRdVxKiCXBSRl9VVEddZWGGZWwUXGLq68-w6FBYbacE3Qmt1oX8aIgNU5dPNa5vgcot-XHf9Om~HQMdGXIPpj24fwttLskX3nQ8NthabpzWspfEHJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Jersey Legislature","date","2025-06-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Higher Education Committee heard updates on May 21 about the proposed merger between Kean University and New Jersey City University (NJCU), including progress on debt reduction and next steps for regulatory review and integration.

Henry Amoroso, the fiscal monitor for New Jersey City University, told the committee the monitor’s April report recommended NJCU find a “suitable partner” to preserve the institution’s mission and that the university “has met all or is in the process of meeting all of the benchmarks set in the monitor’s report, including and most notably, its movement towards significant debt reduction.” He said the university expects to reduce more than $30,000,000 in debt by the end of the summer through lease exits, property sales and defeasance of bond debt.

Kean University President Lamont Repollet said Kean and NJCU signed a letter of intent on May 15 that outlines shared goals and structure for an entity the schools are calling “Kean Jersey City.” Repollet said Kean is preparing a shared‑services agreement intended to allow Kean to begin supporting day‑to‑day operations in Jersey City; he told the committee the goal is to finalize that agreement around July 1 to coincide with the new fiscal year. “We’re entering this merger process with NJC with enthusiasm and optimism,” Repollet said.

Committee members and witnesses said multiple regulatory approvals will be required. Amoroso and Repollet described a multi‑step timeline: a definitive agreement targeted for the fall, a planned submission to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in mid‑2026 for change‑of‑control review, and an expectation that full consolidation of legal, contractual and program matters could take a year or more after Middle States and U.S. Department of Education approvals. Amoroso said the monitor and university are aiming to be on Middle States’ calendar around June 2026 but cautioned capacity and competing merger reviews could affect scheduling.

Amoroso said the state monitor role included hiring an external consultant, issuing benchmarks, and approving hires; he described cooperative work with NJCU leadership and said the university had trimmed its workforce and operated a “very thin operation” while meeting monitor conditions. He also noted remaining long‑term liabilities: without legislative intervention, he estimated roughly $118,000,000 in EFA (Educational Facilities Authority) debt would remain on NJCU’s books and that other long‑term capital and lease liabilities exist. Amoroso suggested the state consider incentive mechanisms to encourage affiliations, shared services or mergers among public institutions because of the costs and transition burdens involved.

Kean and NJCU officials said they are working with labor leadership and expect to address back‑office systems alignment, enrollment management, and student success services during the shared‑services and transition phases. Repollet said Kean plans a summer assessment of systems and operations and aims to implement retention and advising practices that Kean uses to improve student persistence.

What the committee did not decide at the hearing were statutory changes. Committee members were told draft legislation (identified during the hearing as “s 45 97”) is circulating for comment; Amoroso asked for feedback to inform that draft.

The hearing underscored both the fiscal pressures driving merger discussions and the complex, multiyear regulatory, contractual and programmatic work required to complete an affiliation or consolidation of public universities in New Jersey.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Higher Education June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Higher Education Committee heard updates on May 21 about the proposed merger between Kean University and New Jersey City University (NJCU), including progress on debt reduction and next steps for regulatory review and integration.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative Sessions, New Jersey","taxId",77696,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6199326,"Senate committee advances bills on undergraduate student‑parent supports and private student‑loan oversight",120,6780000,6900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d&start=6780&end=6900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d/thumbnail_6780000.jpg","/articles/6199326/New-Jersey/Senate-committee-advances-bills-on-undergraduate-studentparent-supports-and-private-studentloan-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199326-cff3093f544f40b4515aa082614ed342/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169257&Signature=SMhlhkOwqzfWBoxVyBCTiAElNMEzPYeptAncw-hVIdEsK~bAlZq1Zx-wzns88YBKi~JfJyXfhksTM8LqMd6CZWWDCPFt7Pq0VbU6qPH~0Z3g0JGm4VCu6FrYa2cbjad-dPCrVqUUz5ZnHV4~S1v0HI5VTOZyBYksfAMwZZfN9xevVg1V0~wI2tXG3LYDk3xJ4wCLS9cOV7XVM3MKwFZ7lOjNy4-lwmBWz2lceHafSoQ49KUiUOZGkuz4RHDLfVuJLRMeajlU-595QpIfuB9HHW5IsLXpbXNvzgzlF-zxt1X6iMf01I0aVhv8xlqfc1UT3GiGAo8oWQSqVBv~IqYf7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Higher Education Committee voted to advance multiple bills on May 21 aimed at supporting student parents and increasing oversight of private student loans.

Two bills addressing student parents were considered with committee amendments that narrowed the measures to undergraduate students only. Senate Bill 3976 (as amended) would grant priority course registration to eligible student parents; Senate Bill 3977 (as amended) would require institutions to collect certain information on student parents. Committee witnesses noted reporting challenges — institutions may undercount student parents because some students may not disclose parental status. Both bills were released from committee with affirmative committee votes.

Senate Bill 4011, a bill to register post‑secondary education debt creditors and to establish borrower protections for private student loans, received testimony from consumer advocates and was advanced out of committee. Beverly Brown Ridget, financial justice program director at New Jersey Citizen Action, urged “strong support” for S4011 and said New Jersey ranks high nationally for private student‑loan borrowing and that private loans often lack federal protections. Winston Birkin Breen of the Student Borrower Protection Center described the private loan market as “opaque” and said states can and should require transparency, reporting and minimum servicing standards; he noted many private loans require cosigners and cited problems with servicing practices and court collection filings.

During the committee vote on S4011, Senator Singer said he would vote yes but expressed lingering concerns and requested follow‑up; Senators Moriarty, Zwicker and Kryon also voted yes. Committee members asked staff and witnesses to review statutory language to ensure protections, reporting and enforcement tools are calibrated properly.

Committee members released the student‑parent bills and advanced S4011 to further legislative consideration. Witnesses asked the Legislature to finalize clear registration and reporting standards for private student‑loan lenders and to consider disability discharge parity and cosigner protections for private loans.","The Senate Higher Education Committee approved committee amendments to two bills to prioritize course registration and collect student‑parent data (limited to undergraduates) and advanced a bill to register private student‑loan creditors and add borrower protections; testimony urged stronger oversight of private loans.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6199331,"Rutgers consolidating its two medical schools into single Rutgers School of Medicine to boost research and specialized care",420,4770000,5190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d&start=4770&end=5190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d/thumbnail_4770000.jpg","/articles/6199331/New-Jersey/Rutgers-consolidating-its-two-medical-schools-into-single-Rutgers-School-of-Medicine-to-boost-research-and-specialized-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199331-c941f6e26f139e0bb1a59f91271e94d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169257&Signature=CPHshMA~KXBdtQH6CY8GyLTqsrGYHFkpANkSzcf1XDn6tAEZOMYfP7BQUBxGYN4x5eqYnXY04pMFum7RWfYaCgMf-UD4CoArIRSQl3wO6LOOfj2G4C47gq3tlv6yQy7EC6Dz4preOCX4ZRsfDl7VGBHVrp5EBYcUdFRXqlnJuI6NtWm~lWe79Zhbbyu8S88SOEdPkY6DTMrZDGC7BBzTgRhkDIIzg-t01vMIZ2y1pk3QgxaahYqiAuVAYzqQb3g2OGBrwFST6wlalTiipF7fc3bD2D6Lz0VIcjNiRo3G9K6fxYJZZKJWTtLcK0Hef0sFTo-l7q5ZzgcUwzw3plIySg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) officials told the Senate Higher Education Committee they are combining New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) in Newark and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) in New Brunswick into a single Rutgers School of Medicine to increase scale for research, clinical trials and specialist recruitment.

Dr. Brian Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, said the 2012 Higher Education Restructuring Act created RBHS and that subsequent internal review led the university to seek greater integration of the two medical schools. “The merger was transformational for Rutgers,” Strom said, describing RBHS’s growth in extramural research funds — a total he put at roughly $4,000,000,000 since RBHS’s founding — and research awards that the university expects to exceed $600,000,000 this fiscal year.

Strom said the medical‑school integration is driven primarily by academic and clinical goals rather than short‑term financial cuts. The combined medical school will operate on two comparable campuses; the university has begun harmonizing admissions, curricula and grading policies and plans a self‑study for the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) with a site visit scheduled in early 2027 and first matriculating class in 2028 if approvals proceed.

Strom explained the advantages of scale: a larger patient base across Newark and New Brunswick will make it easier to recruit clinicians who need a sufficiently large practice panel, and will increase competitiveness for clinical trials and advanced therapies that could otherwise require patients to travel out of state. He also said the merger accelerated capital investments, including a full renovation of the Medical Science Building in Newark and planned construction on the HELIX site in New Brunswick as part of more than $1,000,000,000 in health‑campus investments.

Committee members asked about community concerns, especially in Newark, where some residents and stakeholders worried consolidation might reduce services or jobs. Strom said the university has stepped up community outreach — town halls, a community involvement task force and meetings with local leaders — and emphasized RBHS is investing in both Newark and New Brunswick and remains bound to clinical partnerships such as University Hospital in Newark and RWJBarnabas Health.

Strom said some programmatic enrollments (for example, medical‑school class sizes) are not expanding because clinical training sites are the limiting factor. He noted applications to the medical schools have increased markedly and said the integrated school will strengthen recruitment and research competitiveness, projecting the combined school will rank in the top 50 nationally for NIH funding.","Rutgers officials told the Senate committee the planned integration of New Jersey Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School aims to expand research capacity, modernize facilities in Newark and New Brunswick, and improve competitiveness for clinical trials and specialty recruitment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6199335,"Montclair says Bloomfield merger stabilized enrollment, cut costs and preserved programs",552,3338000,3890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d&start=3338&end=3890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3836808-65778fecc8bff23ab4c0737a00791f2d/thumbnail_3338000.jpg","/articles/6199335/New-Jersey/Montclair-says-Bloomfield-merger-stabilized-enrollment-cut-costs-and-preserved-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6199335-c7cd959bacdac864353bab1a43d12158/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169257&Signature=dMON0ZKyVBg4MajktKf7~sNktZCBR0rQpCm4tZI8Ojjv89n8eo~pRHDWvaprP8oIi~eYLcMG8scMNLF2eY8nnE59hKWN9-uSE2FB4rg0qBvp7Xfacb1qN9Z4LmkCBjvpBJ8~noIfcSAkQz0HSGR31C~Xtt8Bl~L28s1IeRAr0SG8GYgyBB5NZXhI9pfnrrqD5XlFzNvel3cQ2LwoY6wZ8d-P-8u~AwVhjinR3oUDh8Pazz9Ltbr~jrBsw3FCMNkbS-gLjmoUmCZxu2wEGcpFMrgD0338mn9Vu9ZU3Il6elr5Gb7vsyhk3fwxNB3pnbRsfQM3XAgyHhaqhRiJePqaxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montclair State University officials told the Senate Higher Education Committee that the university’s merger with Bloomfield College has reduced costs, preserved jobs and kept academic pathways open for students in Essex County.

Dr. Jonathan Capelli, president of Montclair State University, described the university’s involvement with Bloomfield as a mission‑driven intervention. He told senators Montclair entered a relationship with Bloomfield after Bloomfield’s leadership concluded the college “would not persist, along its existing trajectory.” Montclair signed an agreement in March 2022 to provide an institutional backstop, later working toward a formal merger and seeking legislative and federal approvals.

Capell said Montclair assumed Bloomfield’s assets and liabilities, rehired most staff and implemented operational changes that reduced the former college’s operating budget by 32% and achieved a 99% reduction in debt service cost after refinancing Bloomfield’s debt under Montclair’s stronger financial standing. He said non‑personnel costs were cut about 27% through consolidated purchasing and contract consolidation. “All of those things were not just cost cutting. They dramatically improved the level of service at Bloomfield College,” Capell said.

Montclair officials also kept academic continuity and accreditation in place, hired a dean and associate dean for the campus, and launched new offerings tailored to Bloomfield’s population, including an applied studies BA for learners with some college credit, expanded evening and weekend programs, and an ESL program planned for the fall. Capell said roughly 800–1,000 Bloomfield students were absorbed at the time of merger, with enrollment stabilized and plans to rebuild toward pre‑COVID levels.

Capell argued the Bloomfield example shows mergers can preserve local educational access, save jobs and allow programmatic growth when led by institutions that prioritize student success. He also warned mergers require significant implementation work, notably systems integration (student information, HR and payroll, scheduling) and realistic expectations about timelines and resources.

Committee members asked about labor, student enrollment and how Montclair intends to use the Bloomfield campus going forward. Capell said Montclair plans a chancellor model for the campus and intends to grow programs such as gaming design and recording arts by leveraging existing Bloomfield facilities.

Montclair’s testimony provided a practical case study for legislators weighing incentives or statutory guidance for future mergers across New Jersey’s public higher education system.","Montclair State University told the Senate committee the merger with Bloomfield College has reduced operating costs, refinanced debt and kept jobs and programs intact while restoring student services and launching new programs targeted at adult and underrepresented learners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kean, New Jersey City University sign letter of intent; monitor reports debt reduction but long-term liabilities remain

Senate committee advances bills on undergraduate student‑parent supports and private student‑loan oversight

Rutgers consolidating its two medical schools into single Rutgers School of Medicine to boost research and specialized care

Montclair says Bloomfield merger stabilized enrollment, cut costs and preserved programs