Voters in Poll Favor Spending to Help Colleges
Posted on: Wednesday, 20 July 2005, 15:00 CDT
The state's public colleges and universities are trying to get back on the political agenda with the release Tuesday of a poll that they say shows New Jersey voters are willing to spend money to keep the schools affordable and accessible.
Discussions of a bond issue for improvements to the nine schools was discontinued when former Gov. James E. McGreevey's plan to merge the three senior public research universities fell apart in December 2003. Since then new funding initiatives have taken a back seat to shoring up shortfalls in the state budget.
A poll of 810 likely voters conducted June 27 through July 5 for the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities found a majority of respondents would "be favorable" toward a new bond issue for higher education. Half were asked how they would vote today on a $2 billion bond issue, and the other half were asked about a $3 billion issue. The results were virtually identical: 59 percent say they would vote in favor of the measure.
"This is certainly a time when candidates could be talking about it," said Paul Shelley, spokesman for the association representing the state colleges and universities, including William Paterson and Montclair State. New Jersey will elect a new governor in November.
The poll also asked likely voters whom they think they would vote for in the upcoming gubernatorial race. Of the sample, 46 percent think they would vote for Democrat Jon Corzine and 37 percent think they would vote for Republican Doug Forrester.
Dr. Susan A. Cole, president of Montclair State University, said the poll showed New Jerseyans are ready to "embrace a comprehensive plan for higher education, that will ensure space and affordability for generations to come." Cole said such a plan would "create a very rich opportunity for the next governor."
Source: Record, The; Bergen County, N.J.
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