Stockton University’s Board of Trustees met last Wednesday on December 4 to discuss developments in Stockton’s strategic plan. President Joe spoke about Stockton’s efforts to reach students interested in Stockton, with nearly 500 prospective students attending tours of the campus. Stockton also hosted Latino Visitation Day, allowing for minority students to visit and learn about the university.

The Advancement Committee created a new commercial to connect with students in English and Spanish, meant to air on streaming services and cable television. The commercial will be played across New Jersey to connect to prospective students, Chair Collins Days said about the committee’s goals.

The meeting saw updates on funding for the school for emergency technology and fire alarm replacement in addition to the roofing and waterproofing system, with the Higher Education Capital Improvement Funds giving preliminary approval to these projects worth over $12 million. The Board of Trustees pushed for the funding to replace 55-year-old fire alarms for the school to respond better in emergency situations, President Joe said about the board’s campaigns.

President Joe spoke about the New Jersey League of Municipalities, where Stockton’s goal was to ensure the university had a voice in policy changes among elected officials and other college presidents. “We are committed to working collaboratively with state leaders to advance opportunity and excellence,” President Joe said about his discussions with New Jersey governor-elect Mikie Sherrill.

The members of the board gave their individual reports of their committees, with highlights including the Student Success Committee, which noted the 5,700 students who were interacting with Ospreys Navigate and their goal to boost the number of new students enrolled to 8,800 students by the 2028 academic year.

Stockton is pushing for a 20% discount on summer housing for undergraduate and graduate students and a 4% increase to managerial pay to adjust for rising cost of living, Finance and Professional Services Committee Chair Timothy Lowry said about his committee’s proposals. In regard to the current construction happening to the Richard E. Bjork Library, the Building and Grounds Committee projected that the renovations were on schedule to have the doors reopened at the beginning of the Fall 2026 semester.

The meeting was adjourned after the committee agreed to renew President Joe’s contract for three years with the option of a one-year extension. The next Board meeting for the public will be held on Tuesday, March 3, where the annual tuition hearing will be discussed.