Statement on State Budget Appropriations for FY2004
Richard L. McCormick, President
July 1, 2003
Rutgers appreciates that the state budget for fiscal year 2004 restores
close to half of the proposed $39.4 million cut in state support for the
university. While we have not yet seen all the details, our preliminary
assessment indicates that this budget also reduces several other cuts that
were initially proposed for higher education. For example, the state budget
restores full funding for the Outstanding Scholars Recruitment Program,
which is so crucial for keeping the best students from leaving New Jersey
to attend college, and provides additional support for students of limited
financial means through increases in the Tuition Aid Grant program.
We want to thank Governor James E. McGreevey and the members of the New
Jersey Legislature, who listened carefully to concerns raised by Rutgers
students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, board members, parents
and friends. Our elected officials have shown that they recognize the
importance of strong colleges and universities to New Jersey's future
prosperity.
While the final budget avoids the serious damage threatened by the original
funding proposal, the university will still need to find ways to absorb a
cut of $20 million to its budget. We understand that the state's financial
situation requires sacrifices from all state agencies, and some reductions
in university programs along with a tuition increase will be required at
Rutgers.
In the years ahead, Rutgers will need and will seek additional state
support to strengthen its top priorities of offering an excellent education
to our students, conducting innovative research that contributes to the
state's competitiveness in the global economy, and serving the people of
New Jersey. We remain committed to becoming a top-ranked national research
university. New Jersey deserves no less.