Conference/Public Meeting Agenda/Documents — Packet

A2586 RILEY, GIBLIN 3 Despite this significant public mission, these independent institutions, because of their status as private non-profit entities, are subject to local zoning controls by the municipalities in which they are located and must obtain approval from those local authorities for all campus development. The approval process often can be quite time consuming and expensive. This results in the delay of important educational programs and facilities for students attending the institutions as well as the diversion of critical funding away from educational purposes. This bill provides for parity between the public and independent institutions of higher education, which are both providing a vital public mission to the State and its citizens, and would place the same requirements for consultation with local officials on independent institutions as are currently in place for the public colleges and universities.