Felician University President Mildred Mihlon represented the ICUNJ members at the Assembly Budget Committee hearing on higher education on Monday, April 27th.
The testimony provided legislators with a clearer understanding of who our institutions are, the students we serve, and the vital role we play in offering New Jersey students the opportunity to remain in-state to pursue their education.
President Mihlon joined fellow higher education leaders in emphasizing the need to restore funding for Summer TAG grants for the Summer 2027 term, noting that this support is critical in helping students reduce the all important ‘time to degree.’
She also underscored the importance of restoring the proposed $4 million reduction in operating aid to ICUNJ institutions, particularly given that public two- and four-year institutions did not experience any cuts to their formula-based operating aid.
The following excerpt from President Mihlon’s remarks clearly highlights the need for increased and continued state support for our universities and students.
In closing, I urge the Committee to recognize that sustained and equitable support for New Jersey’s independent colleges and universities is not optional; it is essential to the State’s higher education system and workforce future. ICUNJ institutions educate a significant share of New Jersey’s students, deliver measurable public returns, and serve those with the greatest financial need, all with limited state investment. The FY 2027 budget decisions before you will directly determine whether these students can continue to access affordable education and prepare for the careers New Jersey urgently needs to fill. We stand ready to be active partners with the Legislature and the Administration, but partnership requires a funding commitment that reflects our contribution and the real pressures we face. I respectfully ask that you act to restore and stabilize support for independent institutions and the students we educate.
The full testimony presented to the Assembly Budget Committee is available here. Explanatory charts shared as part of the testimony are provide for your reference below.
