NJ S1504

Public institutions of higher education in New Jersey may merge or consolidate with other higher education institutions or degree-granting proprietary institutions, assuming all rights, debts, and liabilities of merged entities.

Governing boards of participating institutions must adopt resolutions and submit a joint application to the Secretary of Higher Education, who has 30 days to grant or deny preliminary approval.

Following preliminary approval, institutions must submit a comprehensive merger plan to the Secretary, who reviews factors including the merger's necessity and impact on students, faculty, staff, and host communities.

The Legislature has 90 days to disapprove an executive-approved merger by concurrent resolution; without such action, the merger is automatically authorized.

Rutgers University is exempt from these provisions, though any institution seeking to merge with Rutgers must comply; mergers with existing letters of intent prior to the effective date are also exempt.