{"id":128329,"date":"2026-02-10T02:07:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T02:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/128329\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T02:07:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T02:07:25","slug":"n-j-funds-campus-upgrades-at-rutgers-njit-montclair-state-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/128329\/","title":{"rendered":"N.J. funds campus upgrades at Rutgers, NJIT, Montclair State and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Students at 23 New Jersey colleges and universities will soon begin seeing upgrades to their campuses thanks to grants handed out through a state-backed bond program.<\/p>\n

The 92 grants totaling $244.4 million will go toward maintenance projects, campus security upgrades and general improvements at facilities used by students, state officials said. (See a list of some of the projects on each campus below.)<\/p>\n

\u201cState support for higher education capital needs plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term financial health and sustainability of our institutions,\u201d Angela Bethea, assistant secretary and chief financial officer of the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, said in announcing the grants Jan. 8 (Bethea at that time was serving as acting secretary of higher education).<\/p>\n

The money for the projects is coming from the state\u2019s Higher Education Capital Improvement Fund and the Higher Education Facilities Trust.<\/p>\n

The largest recipient of the recent round of grants is New Jersey City University<\/a>, a public university that has struggled with funding problems in recent years. The school is slated to merge with Kean University later this year.<\/p>\n

The 99-year-old public university in Jersey City will receive grants totaling $44 million for multiple projects.<\/p>\n

Former Gov. Phil Murphy<\/a> signed legislation shortly before leaving office transferring all of New Jersey City University\u2019s academic programs, facilities and assets to Kean University.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeferred maintenance has been a longstanding issue on the NJCU campus, predating the merger by many years,\u201d Kean University spokesperson Nicole Francisco said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a clear understanding that addressing those infrastructure needs would require a significant state investment to position the campus for long-term success. The $44 million provided by the state reflects that broader effort to stabilize and strengthen the campus,\u201d Francisco said.<\/p>\n

The 92 grants at the 23 colleges and universities are funding a wide range of facility improvements, including structural repairs to meet health, safety, fire and building code standards, officials said.<\/p>\n

Fire alarms are being upgraded, emergency generators are being installed and building access is being enhanced. Outdated HVAC systems, boilers and chillers are being replaced. Classrooms and labs are being renovated, officials said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPreserving, maintaining, and reimagining college campuses across the state has helped New Jersey maintain its role as a leader in higher education,\u201d said Sheryl Stitt, executive director of the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority, a state agency that helps finance projects on college campuses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith deferred maintenance needs in higher education growing exponentially across the country, this investment will have a meaningful impact on the State\u2019s higher education environments where our students and faculty live, learn, and work every day,\u201d Stitt said.<\/p>\n

A full list of the 92 projects<\/a> is available on the state\u2019s website. Examples of projects on each campus include:<\/p>\n

County College of Morris- $6,175,000<\/p>\n

Upgrades at the county college will address fire and life safety codes at Cohen Hall, Sheffield Hall, DeMare Hall, Emeriti Hall and connected areas. <\/p>\n

Drew University- $516,025<\/p>\n

Drew is replacing the chiller serving the Ehinger Center\u2019s student services area, which houses administrative offices, Title IX compliance, student affairs leadership, and other student support functions.<\/p>\n

Essex County College- $1,000,000<\/p>\n

The college is renovating approximately 100 instructional spaces, including general classrooms, the Siegler and Smith lecture halls, the Mary B. Burch Theater and the multipurpose room. <\/p>\n

Fairleigh Dickinson University- $8,313,855<\/p>\n

The university\u2019s Library Learning Center at its Metropolitan campus in Teaneck is being updated to shift from emphasizing print resources and siloed research to focusing on digital learning, interdisciplinary exploration and global connections.<\/p>\n

\"FelicianAn entry sign at Felician University as seen in March 2025 in Lodi, New Jersey.Jeff Rhode | For NJ Advance MediaFelician University- $2,575,096<\/p>\n

The university is making technology infrastructure improvements, building repairs for accessibility and safety, and energy efficiency and safety renovations across both of its campuses<\/p>\n

Kean University- $1,550,000<\/p>\n

Kean is renovating D\u2019Angola Gymnasium, which opened in 1963.<\/p>\n

Middlesex College- $3,756,400<\/p>\n

The county college will make improvements to the sprinkler system, campus security and communications facility emergency equipment.<\/p>\n

Montclair State University- $9,075,000<\/p>\n

Montclair State is upgrading HVAC units and other systems at its Harry A. Sprague Library, which opened in 1963.<\/p>\n

\"GrossnickleGrossnickle Hall at New Jersey City University as it appeared in November 2024.Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey New Jersey City University- $418,000<\/p>\n

A new roof is planned for Grossnickle Hall, a four-story academic building that opened in 1962. The project will improve insulation and energy efficiency while preventing leaks and structural damage.<\/p>\n

New Jersey Institute of Technology- $12,150,000<\/p>\n

Tiernan Hall, which opened in 1966, is being modernized by resolving a range of deferred maintenance projects. The building houses several academic departments, including classrooms, labs and lecture halls on the Newark campus.<\/p>\n

Ocean County College- $260,990<\/p>\n

Ocean County College is replacing roofs on its Manahawkin campus building and Toms River campus information technology building.<\/p>\n

Ramapo College- $1,610,000<\/p>\n

Work includes adding monitor modules to 15 back-up generator systems, installing a cellular based networking system for fire alarm panels throughout all academic and administrative buildings, and replacing stairs and two ramps.<\/p>\n

Rowan College of South Jersey- $10,620,000<\/p>\n

The project includes replacing and installing a comprehensive rooftop HVAC system and boiler replacement to modernize aging mechanical infrastructure in the College Center and medical buildings. <\/p>\n

Rowan University- $2,000,000<\/p>\n

The project will include mechanical upgrades at Science Hall to replace the building\u2019s original exhaust fan system and install a new direct digital building controls system.<\/p>\n

Rutgers University- $3,600,000<\/p>\n

Rutgers is replacing several roofs on the three-story Murray Hall academic building in New Brunswick. It opened in 1908.<\/p>\n

Saint Elizabeth University- $4,000,000<\/p>\n

Saint Elizabeth is pursuing a facilities modernization project. The university opened in 1899 and is based in Morris Township and Florham Park.<\/p>\n

Saint Peter\u2019s University- $4,868,558<\/p>\n

The grant will pay for upgrading the boiler system at McDermott Hall, water management improvements at Loyola Hall and building infrastructure improvements at Guarini House.<\/p>\n

Seton Hall University- $8,450,000<\/p>\n

Seton Hall is undertaking several maintenance projects, including renovation of Corrigan Hall, which has administrative and academic offices.<\/p>\n

Stevens Institute of Technology- $8,237,458<\/p>\n

Stevens is renovating the 57-year-old Samuel C. Williams Library by addressing space constraints and accommodating technological upgrades in teaching, learning and research.<\/p>\n

Stockton University- $7,614,058<\/p>\n

Stockton is undertaking a multi-building roof replacement project to improve drainage and waterproofing while enhancing energy efficiency.<\/p>\n

The College of New Jersey- $10,305,294<\/p>\n

TCNJ\u2019s \u201cCampus Utilities Deferred Maintenance and Energy Savings Project\u201d is described as a comprehensive initiative aimed at modernizing critical campus infrastructure, mitigating operational risks and achieving long-term energy savings.<\/p>\n

Union College- $15,000,000<\/p>\n

The county college\u2019s HVAC rooftop units at the Lessner Building are being replaced, along with the escalator that runs between the second and fifth floors.<\/p>\n

\"WilliamA view from July 2022 of the Atrium at William Paterson University.William Paterson University- $4,287,775<\/p>\n

William Paterson is renovating its Atrium academic and office building in order to promote innovation and collaboration. It opened in 1996.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Students at 23 New Jersey colleges and universities will soon begin seeing upgrades to their campuses thanks to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":128330,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[12595,55389,13216,9,24,45683,63,1491,134,136,135,3249],"class_list":["post-128329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-staten-island","tag-college","tag-felician","tag-generic","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nj-com","tag-nyc","tag-real-estate","tag-staten-island","tag-staten-island-headlines","tag-staten-island-news","tag-university"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128329\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}