Institutional Profile Annual Reports

Introduction

Accountability stands as a major state higher education policy issue in New Jersey. In the increasingly knowledge-driven global economy, higher education accountability represents a mechanism for providing consumer information and performance-related data to the public. The statewide focus on accountability arises from perennial concerns about access for New Jersey residents who want to attend college, the increasing difficulty of paying for college, and an incomplete understanding by the public about what quality in higher education means. In New Jersey, the Commission on Higher Education together with the colleges and universities are accountable to students, taxpayers, businesses, communities, and state and local leaders.

The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education is responsible for statewide planning, coordination, and advocacy for higher learning in our state. In conjunction with these responsibilities, the Commission publishes an annual system-wide accountability report on higher education in New Jersey designed to identify priorities and inspire dialogue for future change and growth. In addition, the Commission is involved in developing a long-range plan for higher education in New Jersey. Successful implementation of this plan depends on a strong compact between the state and its diverse institutions of higher learning. In future years, system-wide accountability reporting will measure how well realization of the plan fulfills the higher education needs of students and effectively addresses state priorities.

(Introduction excerpt from New Jersey's Colleges & Universities 7th Annual System-wide Accountability Report
Adopted January 23, 2004, New Jersey Commission on Higher Education)

N.J.S.A. 18A:3B-35 requires that each of New Jersey's 31 public institutions of higher education prepare and make available to the public an annual report on the condition of the institution. The form and content of the annual report is established by the Commission on Higher Education.