ROI-NJ staff will update this story as more details become available.
After an extensive and deliberative process, New Jersey City University’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday announced it will pursue a strategic merger with Kean University as called for under the April 2024 OSHE Transition Plan.
NJCU leadership said the decision meets a critical benchmark outlined in the plan and underscores a commitment to ensuring the institution’s role as an “indispensable model for accessible urban public higher education.”
“Over the past two years, our campus has experienced a significant transformation. We have reinvested in our facilities, stabilized our operations, and broadened our enrollment pipeline. Equally important, we have enhanced community engagement and launched many strategic partnerships that have enriched our academic programs and reinforced our connections with local businesses, civic organizations, and neighboring institutions. These initiatives have not only enhanced the NJCU experience but have also prepared us to meet the forward-looking benchmarks set forth in our transition plan,” NJCU President Andres Acebo said.
This decision marks the beginning of negotiations to formalize a letter of intent, integrating NJCU into the Kean University system.
The merger carries significant implications for faculty unions at both institutions, which are affiliated with AFT New Jersey and the Council of New Jersey State College Locals. Union leaders have pledged to advocate for fair and equitable treatment of faculty and staff throughout the transition.
AFT New Jersey President Jennifer Higgins emphasized the importance of collaboration with both administrations to protect union members’ interests.
James Castiglione, President of AFT Local 2187/Kean Federation of Teachers, reinforced the commitment to shared governance and maintaining academic standards during the integration process.
Acebo acknowledged the deliberations leading up to this decision and credited the university’s leadership team for efforts in navigating NJCU’s financial difficulties, which include significant debt and declining enrollment.
In a statement, the NJCU Board of Trustees reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the university’s mission while securing its future:
“The Board’s decision follows a deliberate and thorough evaluation of strategic options aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the university’s mission and strengthening our commitment to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the Jersey City and Hudson County communities we serve. We recognize and credit the efforts of President Acebo and his leadership team over the past two years in addressing challenges that some believed were insurmountable.”
The Board also noted that this decision meets the Secretary of Higher Education’s requirement to partner with a fiscally sound public institution by March 31 and acknowledged the need for continued state support to ensure a successful merger.
