Governor's budget recommends increased university funding Archived article from Feb 2, 2001 By Douglas Frank   In her final budget message to the state, Gov. Christie Whitman recommended significant support for higher education, including increases in base appropriations for each of the senior public colleges and universities, along with a pool of salary funds. Rutgers' combined appropriation for general university operations and the Agricultural Experiment Station would total $344.5 million, up 2.5 percent with 1 percent tied to performance, under the governor's spending plan. The governor also recommended a total of $29.5 million, up 26 percent, in salary program funding for the 12 senior public colleges and universities. While these funds are not yet allocated by institution, Rutgers' estimated share could bring to approximately 5 percent the increase in the university's total base operating funds for the coming fiscal year, according to Nancy Winterbauer, vice president for university budgeting. Additionally, Rutgers' share in the $24.4 million proposed allocation to cover fringe benefit increases paid directly by the state at senior public institutions could bring $7.1 million to the university, an increase of 6.4 percent. "Governor Whitman has proposed a budget that contains an increase in the base, including support for salaries, that will bring welcome new education resources to the citizens of New Jersey," said President Francis L. Lawrence. "She has also proposed a significant set of initiatives that capitalize on the success of her previous high-technology programs. In the coming months, we must now work with the legislature and its leadership on both sides of the aisle to help bring these proposals to fruition." Whitman's recommended budget includes considerable support for research and high-technology initiatives aimed at improving the state's competitiveness in attracting public and private support for cutting-edge research. This includes special capital support to Rutgers for biotechnology research -- $3 million to support construction of a new genetics/biomaterials building and $3 million for a new bioengineering building on the Busch campus. (See sidebar below) "We welcome this critical new state support for the life sciences and engineering, two of our growth areas as outlined in the strategic plan, 'A New Vision for Excellence,' and applaud the governor for recognizing our efforts to improve the quality of life for all of us," said Lawrence. The strategic plan, which has guided university development since 1995, is aimed at making Rutgers one of the top public research universities in the nation. Other higher education research funding initiatives, in which Rutgers will share, include: Renewal of the $100 million Equipment Leasing Fund, of which Rutgers will receive $21 million. $15 million for the New Jersey Fund for Technology Innovation to expand research capacity. $10 million for a Higher Education/Business and Industry Partnership Fund to provide matching funds for research supported by the private sector. $5 million under the Biomedical and Other Technology Research program for matching federal research grants. $20 million for a second round of grants under the competitive Excellence in High Technology Workforce initiative, an increase of $5 million. Joseph J. Seneca, university vice president for academic affairs, said he is "very pleased that this higher education budget recognizes the distinct link between a strong higher education system and the success of our economy. Rutgers is well positioned to use these resources in very effective ways to the benefit of our students, our faculty and the state's economy." Other items in the proposed budget of interest to Rutgers include $4.5 million for New Brunswick athletic facilities, $10 million for teacher preparation in colleges and universities with education programs, a $6.4 million increase in Tuition Aid Grants (TAG), and continuation of Educational Opportunity Fund, Outstanding Scholars and New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology funding at current levels. Biotechnology buildings Under the governor's budget proposal, Rutgers would receive $6 million to support construction of two buildings to house the university's cutting-edge research in biotechnology at New Brunswick. The funding initiative consists of two $3 million appropriations, one earmarked for a building to house the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials and the department of genetics and another for the growing department of biomedical engineering. A concept document was approved in October by the Board of Governors for construction of a three-story laboratory/research facility adjacent to Smithers Hall on the Busch campus to house genetics and biomaterials, both units of the Division of Life Sciences. The $28.3 million structure will accommodate research under the direction of geneticist Jay A. Tischfield, holder of the Duncan and Nancy Macmillan Chair in the department of genetics, and Joachim Kohn, Board of Governors Professor of Chemistry and director of the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials. Home to the world-renowned Cell and DNA Repository, the university is aiming to become an international leader in human genetics, with a concentration on research geared toward the prevention and cure of diseases such as breast cancer, diabetes and substance addiction. The state appropriation also paves the way for preparing a concept document for a new facility for the department of biomedical engineering, to be built at an estimated cost of $23.8 million. Under the direction of Martin Yarmush, a leading scholar in the field who is assisting Rutgers to develop the department's research thrusts in molecular systems bioengineering, tissue engineering and cellular bioengineering, the department will conduct research aimed at conquering such conditions as blindness and deafness, as well as a wide variety of other diseases.

For questions or comments about this site, contact Greg Trevor Last Updated: May 30, 2006 © 2012 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. All rights reserved.