Board of Trustees | Thomas Edison State University

Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

On behalf of everyone at Thomas Edison State University, we hope that students affected by the wildfires in Southern California remain safe. The University is offering accommodations to students affected by the wildfires:

Students who are directly impacted by the fires and who are currently registered in courses for the November 2024, December 2024 and January 2025 terms have the option of receiving a free eight-week course extension without mentor approval; or, a 100% tuition credit for their course(s) to a future term. Affected students should submit a Request for Course Extension Form or a Request for Course Withdrawal Form indicating “Southern California wildfires” as the reason for the request. Please note that TECEP exams in these terms cannot be extended, nor credited for tuition after the exam has been taken.

Impacted students who are currently on a course extension for the September 2024 and October 2024 terms can request a second eight-week extension on their current term at no additional cost.

Request an Accommodation: Students affected by the wildfire and evacuations who need an accommodation should contact the Office of the Registrar by email at registration@tesu.edu or by phone at 609-777-5680. Accommodation requests should be submitted by January 24th. Requests after that date can be accommodated if the student provides documentation of the reason for the late request.

Its composition and size is determined by the Board; however, the Board has not fewer than seven and not more than 15 members. The members are citizens of the state of New Jersey appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the state Senate. The Board of Trustees recommends potential new members to the governor. The term of office of appointed members is for six years. In addition, two student representatives — a voting member and an alternate — are elected by the Board of Trustees at the annual meeting in September.

Members of the Board of Trustees represent a diverse range of experience and backgrounds from business, industry and academia. The Board meets four times each year in September, December, March and June. The president serves as secretary of the Board and is an ex officio, nonvoting member.

The Board oversees all policy matters of the University, including the approval of degree programs and standards and budget recommendations to the state treasurer. It is responsible for selecting and hiring the president, who serves at the pleasure of the Board, and it approves appointments of all other University employees.

The Board has four working committees that parallel the organizational divisions of the University: the Academic Affairs Committee; the Administration, Audit and Finance Committee; the Compensation Committee; and the Executive Committee. These committees meet as needed prior to established Board meetings to review relevant issues to be presented at the Board meetings.

Board Members:

Michael R. Toscani, Chair

Eric Robert Lear, Vice Chair

Rev. J. Stanley Justice

Brian T. Maloney

Gualberto (Gil) Medina

David Chatfield, Student Trustee

Jamie Schaefer, Student Trustee

Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D., ex-officio
President, Thomas Edison State University