Hudson County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Emory Edwards is coming out in support of New Jersey City University, asking Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and the state legislature to invest in the college.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“On behalf of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for New Jersey City University as it moves forward under the talented leadership of Interim President Andrés Acebo, J.D.,” Edwards wrote in a letter today.
“NJCU is an essential anchor institution in Jersey City, providing an exceptional education to a diverse student population. It offers a variety of academic programs to equip these future leaders with the necessary skills for in-demand fields and professions. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, NJCU fosters a culture of excellence, innovation and civic engagement.”
He also credited faculty and staff to fostering an environment when students can succeed, calling the university “one of the most culturally and socioeconomically responsive institutions of higher education in New Jersey.”
State Senator Brian Stack (D-33), who is also the Union City mayor, has introduced a bill seeking for $10 million in state funding, though it hasn’t made any progress yet.
The university has about an $11 million deficit this year and had began undertaking some cost cutting initiatives at the end of last year.
“At this critical juncture in its history, the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce encourages Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature to invest in NJCU,” Edwards added.
“It is a remarkable institution that contributes significantly to the social and economic development of our great County and State. It deserves our recognition, appreciation and unwavering commitment as it continues to move forward.”
The chamber is the second local group to back NJCU in the past week, with the Boys to Leaders Foundation, a nonprofit, doing the same last Tuesday.
NJCU does not deserve additional taxpayer funding, not now or ever. NJCU has the worst outcomes of any public university in the state. It irresponsibly and illegally misspent its way to trouble. The current interim President was chief of staff to Sue Henderson, who had caused this fiasco. Both the board and leadership of NJCU needs to be wiped clean.