New Jersey Association of State College and Universities Inc.

“Form 990, part iii the new jersey association of state colleges and universities (njascu), based in trenton, is a nonprofit higher education association serving new jersey's nine state colleges and universities. The association is a nongovernmental entity created by the state legislature (njsa 19a:64-45 et seq.) in 1985 to advance and support public higher education in new jersey. Njascu's primary mission is to advocate higher education as a public good and the collective value of the state colleges/universities in serving the public interest and the state of new jersey. By law, the association advises the governor, legislature and others on higher education by providing policy and technical advice. The njascu fulfills its primary mission in the following ways: -articulates how the state colleges/universities serve the public good through educational, social and economic development. -provides research and informational services to advance the policy and resources needs of the state colleges/universities. -enhances, through collaborative efforts, the ability of the state colleges/universities to achieve effective institutional performance, autonomous governance and public accountability; and -convenes forums of diverse constituencies to develop a common opinion about the value of public investment in higher education and the contributions of the state colleges and universities. Each year, new jersey's state colleges and universities serve about 100,000 students; over 90% of whom are new jersey residents. In the aggregate, the nine institutions are the largest source (about 45%) of baccalaureate degrees conferred in the state.”

“FORM 990, PART III, LINE-4A IN COOPERATION WITH TRUSTEES, STUDENTS, FACULTY AND CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS, NJASCU PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN DEVELOPING AND PROPOSING STATE HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY TO BETTER SERVE NEW JERSEY'S CITIZENS AND THE PUBLIC GOOD. ACTING AS A POLICY ADVOCATE IN THE STATE CAPITAL, THE ASSOCIATION ANALYZES AND MONITORS PUBLIC ISSUES AND LEGISLATION AFFECTING NEW JERSEY'S NINE-MEMBER STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN IMPLEMENTING LANDMARK LEGISLATION, IN 1986 AND 1994, WHICH TRANSFERRED IMPORTANT FISCAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO THE CAMPUSES, EMPHASIZING SELF-GOVERNANCE AND DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY. SERVING AS A PRIMARY INFORMATION RESOURCE FOR ITS MEMBER INSTITUTIONS, NJASCU PROVIDES ANALYSES OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL POLICY ISSUES SUCH AS: -COLLEGE ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY. -HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE. -LAWS AFFECTING TRUSTEE GOVERNANCE; AND -NEED TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO SERVE NEW JERSEY STUDENTS AMIDST UNPRECEDENTED ENROLLMENT DEMAND. THE ASSOCIATION FURTHER SERVES AS A FORUM TO FORGE A SHARED BODY OF OPINION ON THE NEEDS OF THE NINE INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GARDEN STATE, CONDUCTING CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS, COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS, TRUSTEES, FACULTY, STUDENTS, ALUMNI, AND BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. NJASCU SEMINARS AND SPECIAL EVENTS HELP TRUSTEES AND PRESIDENTS TO STAY ABREAST OF THE STATE'S CHANGING NEEDS AND TO MEET THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AS POLICY STEWARDS. FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 1A THE ASSOCIATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF REVISING ITS BYLAWS TO REFLECT A CHANGE IN ITS ENABLING STATUTE THAT TOOK EFFECT JULY 1, 2013. UNDER THE LAW (P.L. 2012, c. 45), THE DESIGNATION OF ROWAN UNIVERSITY WAS ELEVATED FROM 'STATE UNIVERSITY' TO 'PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY', AND ROWAN WAS ALSO REMOVED FROM THE FORMAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. THE LAW ALSO REDUCED THE NUMBER OF VOTING MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION FROM NINE TO EIGHT. THE BYLAWS WILL BE REVISED TO ENABLE ROWAN UNIVERSITY TO REMAIN AS AN 'AFFILIATED', NON-VOTING MEMEBER OF THE ASSOCIATION.”

“FORM 990, PART VI, LINES 6 & 7a EACH OF THE NINE MEMBER INSTITUTIONS APPOINTS A VOTING MEMBER TO THE ASSOCIATION'S GOVERNING BODY. THIS GOVERNING BODY HAS AUTHORITY OVER ALL SIGNIFICANT DECISIONS CONCERNING THE ASSOCIATION.”

“Form 990, part vi, line 11b form 990 is reviewed by the executive director/ceo and provided to the budget and audit committee. The committee will report its review and any recommendations to the board. Both voting and non-voting members of the board of directors will review the return prior to filing.”

“Form 990, part vi, line 12a the conflict of interest policy was completed and approved by the board in june 2012 and the new policy is now in place for fy 2013. Procedures for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the conflict of interest policy are currently under development.”

“Form 990, part vi, line 15a the association maintains an executive compensation committee which annually reviews the performance and establishes the compensation for the executive director/ceo position. This committee is comprised of members of the board of directors. Comparison of actual performance against pre-established goals, comparability to other not-for-profit organizations, and various other operational data are factors considered in the evaluation process. The committee's actions are reported to the board of directors and the deliberations of the committee regarding executive compensation are documented.”

“Form 990, part vi, section c the association makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”