By: Maria Lachanaris
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed FY25 Budget has been met with controversy, as it contains the potential for damaging consequences to Bergen Community College, and dozens of other school districts and community colleges in the state. The budget proposal, which was announced in late February during the State of the State Address, would reduce state investment in the 18 community colleges in New Jersey by $20 million. Bergen Community College, which is the largest community college in the state of New Jersey, stands to lose $1.8 million in necessary funding. If the budget proposal goes through, BCC would be forced to eliminate and scale down vital departments, resources, and initiatives.
In response to the proposed budget cut, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges launched a campaign in opposition to Governor Murphy’s administration, aiming to inform the New Jersey legislature of the consequences this cut would have on community college students and to restore the funding. Bergen Community College President Eric Friedman gave an interview with the New Jersey Record, as well as testifying at the New Jersey Senate’s public budget hearing held in Newark with Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. Student Government President Kaylie Quezada delivered additional testimony before the state Senate hearing at NJIT.
“If implemented, this decision would disproportionately impact low-income students like myself and create barriers for prospective students who are motivated to complete their degrees. Community colleges, such as Bergen, are not just educational institutions but serve as gateways to professional growth and personal success,” Quezada said.
During an exclusive interview with the Torch, Quezada elaborated on the dire implications of the $1.8 million set to be removed in operating support from BCC. Many necessary programs could be scaled down and defunded, such as the food pantry, Advising Center, Office of Disability Services, and Tutoring Center. Students could face elongated wait times to receive services and guidance from the advising and enrollment offices, with a potential decrease in staffing as a result of the funding cuts. Quezada described the resources that she and other students have access to at Bergen Community College, such as the food pantry, emergency funding for transportation to and from campus, mental health counseling, and advising for scholarships and transfer applications, which have assisted countless other students in their pursuit of success in higher education. “Many of Bergen’s students heavily rely on these programs offered by the college to sustain themselves,” Quezada said. “If a student experiencing insecurity doesn’t have access to these resources, they won’t be able to succeed in the classroom.” The majority of the budget for Bergen Community College as a whole is generated through student tuition; any state funding cut would result in an increase in student tuition, an estimated 3% rise.
The $1.8 million is set to be lost next year if the budget proposal goes through; however, the governor has said there may be flexibility regarding the specific numbers within the budget, which must receive legislative approval and the official sign-off from Murphy by June 30, 2024. Further legislative hearings are scheduled for late spring; in the meantime, school and county officials hope to buy more time in advocating for the funds to be kept for the 18 community colleges within the state. The repercussions of defunding Bergen Community College would affect every student, faculty member, and staff member, and the removal of the $20 million would have ramifications for the 230,000 community college students attending in New Jersey.
Students can join the advocacy campaign created by the NJCCC in the meantime.“There is a petition online that students can fill out, and submit to your local state representative. The more we advocate for the $20 million to be restored, the more we can ensure students in the future won’t have to choose between paying an increased tuition or buying food,” Quezada said. The NJCCC has prepared a letter for all students to add theirnamese to, with space to add testimonials regarding the effects the budget cut would have on student resources and services provided by community colleges. The petition, which will generate a letter to be sent to all Bergen County legislators, higher education committee members, and those serving on the State Budget Committee, can be found here.