By Bryant Romero —
NJCU plans to establish a new School of Business program that will eventually move from its current building—the professional studies building—to a future academic building that is currently under development. The expected completion year is between 2015 and 2016.
“The new School of Business will be located in its current building for now,” said Dr. Sue Henderson, NJCU President. “As the new academic building comes on line, we will want to find appropriate space for not only the school of business, but [also for] our growing nursing program.”
The new School of Business will consist of four independent departments including finance, accounting, marketing and management. These four main areas of study have launched into separate major degrees which is one of two fundamental reasons why a business department was developed. The second reason is that because enrollment and student demands have vastly increased, the business program has, as well, grown dramatically at NJCU for the past twenty years.
With NJCU receiving revenue from the Bond Act—a New Jersey State grant used to enhance academic facilities—fund raising, and additional loans for infrastructure and programs, the university is looking to expand.
“We are fortunate to have gotten over $36 million dollars for construction for sciences and infrastructure,” Dr. Henderson said. “This along with our plan to build an academic building will allow us to expand and grow. The School of Business will be part of this growth and it will gain space to accommodate the expansion of the programs.”
According to Dr. Henderson, the business program went from a fairly low outcome of student enrollment to a population of approximately 1,200 students between matriculated and non-matriculated business majors.
“The business department is very large and comprised of faculty whose expertise includes areas like finance, accounting, marketing and management,” explained Dr. Henderson. “There is a need for the school of business” because allowing faculty members to work in “separate departments” of their designated profession is significantly more effective in students’ learning processes.
Overall, business students feel the new program will be great for the university. However, there are still concerns about the new establishment causing tuition to rise.
“I didn’t know [about the new business building], but it’s exciting to see NJCU focusing on the business market that’s developing highly in this area,” said Fernando Valencia, 22, marketing major, from Carlstadt. “I’m sure tuition is going to rise, but it’s worth it if it makes our [business degrees] look better.”
While there may be some concerns around the campus about tuition rising because of the new business program, Dr. Henderson wants to assure students that tuition “will remain the same as for other [academic] programs for undergraduates.”
Other students, around the NJCU community, feel they could benefit from the direct spotlight on the business program.
“I’ve heard of the new business program and I think it can be great for the university,” said Natasha Arroyo, 30, Business major, from Bayonne, NJ. “There will be more focus on me and more focus in my area of study.”
Students acquiring business degrees will not only be able to center their area of study on specific subject matters, but alternatives to academic minors in other professions hold a greater possibility.
Dr. Sandra Bloomberg, dean of the College of Professional Studies, considers the opportunities students might gain from the new program. Multiple business options could significantly boost and help progress future employment.
“I believe that our students will truly benefit from this robust program,” said Dr. Bloomberg in an article with NJCU News at njcu.edu/news/. “The School of Business will give students the tools and resources needed to succeed in their business careers.