The College of New Jersey’s Educational Opportunity Fund staff and twelve students traveled to nearby Trenton on Mon., May 23, in order to answer Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s call to action for the EOF program’s budget crisis. Sweeney held a press conference at the New Jersey State House in Trenton due to Gov. Chris Christie’s slash of funds to the program.
Christie has planned to cut the EOF budget to their 2014 rates. Right now, it’s reported that there will be a $2.6 million budget cut impacting every EOF program in the state. This represents approximately a $28,000 funding shortage for the EOF academic year support service initiatives at TCNJ, which directing impact student success.
According to EOF Director Tiffani Warren, she will be forced to make difficult decisions that will likely eliminate or reduce support for the EOF Peer Mentoring Program, the EOF Math Seminar, Student Success Program, etc.
The damage may not be done there, as it may reduce resources for Student Leadership Development, professional conference attendance and/or membership dues.
Also, the budget cuts may have compensation implications for the professional staff.
TCNJ had the largest student body presence at the event, while other students stood behind the dignitaries when they were speaking. A student from Rowan University represented the student body and gave a moving speech, while another former EOF student also spoke about the program.
It was important for our students and students around the State of N.J. to come together to advocate for the importance of the EOF program. It clearly showed Gov. Christie and those who supported the funding cuts what the EOF program means to low income students in NJ.
According to the Rowan University student speaker; “EOF represents more than funding, it means extension of family and support to make sure that students are guided through to graduation”. To all of us in attendance, we hope that by our presence that Gov. Christie will strongly consider re-instating and/or increasing the EOF budget.
Our Future and the Future of the EOF Program depends on it!