a. provide public information and research on higher education issues;

b. review and make recommendations to the Secretary of Higher Education concerning proposals for new programs that exceed the programmatic mission of an institution or that change the programmatic mission of an institution;

c. review proposals for new programs that do not exceed the programmatic mission of the institution or require a change in the programmatic mission, according to standards established by the secretary through regulations promulgated pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), for the following:

(1) sufficient academic quality;

(2) sufficient evidence of labor market demand for the program;

(3) duplication with comparable programs of study in the State; and

(4) whether the proposed new program will require significant additional State resources.

If the council determines according to the review standards set by the secretary that a proposed new program may be of insufficient academic quality, may lack sufficient evidence of labor market demand, may be duplicative of comparable programs of study, or may be unduly expensive to the State, the council shall refer that proposal to the secretary for review pursuant to subsection f. of section 14 of P.L.1994, c.48 (C. 18A:3B-14);

d. encourage the formation of regional or other alliances among institutions including interinstitutional transfers, program articulation, cooperative programs and shared resources and develop criteria for “full faith and credit” transfer agreements between county colleges and other institutions of higher education. The council shall also keep institutions apprised of the discontinuance of programs at other institutions and each president shall notify the council of any such action;

e. advise and assist the secretary in developing and updating a plan for higher education in the State including, but not limited to, the establishment of new institutions, closure of existing institutions and consolidation of institutions;

f. provide policy recommendations on Statewide higher education issues;

g. recommend to the Governor, Legislature and secretary on policy and overall levels of funding for student aid programs necessary to ensure accessibility to higher education;

h. transmit to the Governor, Legislature and secretary a general budget policy statement regarding overall State funding levels;

i. upon referral from the secretary pursuant to this act provide recommendations concerning institutional licensure and university status;

j. appoint subcommittees consisting of the presidents of the institutions of the various higher education sectors to decide matters, within the authority of the council. The presidents of the independent institutions shall develop a unified request for State support under chapter 72B of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. The presidents of the county college sector shall develop a unified request for State support under chapter 64A of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes; and

k. consult with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority concerning student assistance matters.

L.1994, c.48, s.8; amended 1995, c.268, s.2; 1999, c.46, s.29; 2021, c.27, s.1.