New Jersey
New Jersey City University, with declining enrollment, to merge with Kean University
2-minute read
NJCU announced ongoing efforts to reduce its academic portfolio
New Jersey City University announced ongoing efforts to reduce its academic portfolio.
Tariq Zehawi, NorthJersey.com
- Kean University brought forward the proposal to turn the two New Jersey colleges into one university under “Kean Jersey City.”
- “Just two years ago, New Jersey City University was on the brink of collapse,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said.
Two New Jersey universities took a step toward merging together on Wednesday. The New Jersey City University (NJCU) board of trustees voted to move forward with Kean University’s proposal to combine the schools, according to a statement from the Kean University President Lamont Repollet.
Kean University brought forward the proposal to turn the two New Jersey colleges into one university under “Kean Jersey City.”
Steps still need to be taken to finalize the merger, as both schools must “begin the process of memorializing the terms and conditions of a potential partnership on or before March 31, 2025,” said the NJCU Board of Trustees.
Kean University said they will work with NJCU to “negotiate a letter of intent” over the next several weeks in order to complete the combination of school.
The proposed idea came from Kean University. The school’s reasoning for the merger is included in a detailed 60-page proposal envisioning “Kean Jersey City.”
“The merger aims to build a stronger, more resilient institution that not only preserves but also significantly amplifies both universities’ core strengths and enduring missions,” said the issued statement from Kean University. “It will focus on creating robust pathways for social mobility, providing students from underserved populations with the tools, resources and opportunities they need to achieve economic success and contribute to their communities.”
The proposal outlines how faculty, athletes, enrollment management and finance will be handled in the merger, but in a very general sense. There was no mention of faculty layoffs in the 60-page proposal.
NJCU, a smaller state school compared to other universities in New Jersey, has seen a decrease in enrollment over the years as their current undergraduate enrollment for 2024 was 3,871, where it was 6,508 in 2017. The school was previously Jersey City State College.
“Just two years ago, New Jersey City University was on the brink of collapse,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said in a statement. “But their merger with Kean University ensures the educational institute can continue providing residents in Hudson County and Jersey City the opportunity to attend an affordable four-year college.”
Kean, located in Union, Elizabeth, and Hillside, said it achieved an enrollment of 18,000 students in 2024.

New Jersey
New Jersey community mourning death of Justin Rivera, Hudson County sheriff’s officer who fell from building

The Bayonne, New Jersey, community is devastated over the loss of one their own – Hudson County sheriff’s officer Justin Rivera, who fell nine stories to his death Friday morning.
The 29-year-old was on duty when he fell from a window at the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. Officials said the building was closed to the public due to an unrelated power outage at the time, and the fatal fall appears to be accidental in nature.
Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, in a statement, described Rivera’s death as “one of the saddest and most horrific days that the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office has ever experienced,” calling Rivera an “excellent officer and outstanding young man.”
The Hudson County prosecutor’s office has no new details on the investigation surrounding his death at this time.
“It doesn’t even feel real”
Rivera ran Bayonne Boxing along with his father. A sign on the door says the gym is closed due to a family emergency.
A memorial was growing outside the front door of the beloved business Saturday as passersby offered prayers and dropped off flowers in Rivera’s memory.
CBS News New York
“It’s unbelievable, honestly, like how this could just happen out of nowhere. So it was like, it was honestly like it doesn’t even feel real,” said Jayden Morales, who has been training at the gym for the past year.
Morales said Rivera and his father were both great coaches.
“You could tell they loved each other,” Morales said. “He was funny, too, always cracking jokes.”
A neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous, lived near Rivera’s childhood home, where he lived with his daughter. The neighbor describes the Riveras as a beautiful, hardworking family she’s come to know for the past 20-plus years.
“He would meet my daughter at the gym and say, ‘I love your mom. I’m here for her if she ever needs anything.’ And I knew that … ’cause that’s the kind of kid he was,” the neighbor said. “They kissed goodbye in the morning, and he got in his car and he went to work and that was it. We never know.”
“He loved to box, police officer, being a family man. That was him as a person,” Morales said.
“We’ll miss that wave, that smile. We’ll miss it,” the neighbor said.
Rivera’s father told CBS News New York his son is now with God and that there’s nothing he can say that will bring him back.
New Jersey
The oldest ice cream parlor in New Jersey is right here in Monmouth County

Fable Creamery in downtown Red Bank has vegan, gluten-free treats
Fable Creamery in downtown Red Bank offers ice cream, cookies, brownies and chocolates that are plant-based and gluten free.
It’s no secret that New Jersey is known for it’s beautiful boardwalk and beaches, but there are many historical entities nestled in quaint towns of the Garden State.
According to mashed.com, New Jersey is home to a historic ice cream parlor that’s been satisfying customers at the Shore since 1876.
The multi-platform publication dedicated to food, took a look at the oldest known ice cream parlors in every state to find which unique, century-old, family-owned establishments evolved into full-service dessert destinations that’s more than just places that you go to grab a cone but also serves as living history.
“Whether you’re a history buff, an ice cream lover, or a bit of both, these time-honored establishments offer a delicious glimpse into America’s frozen dessert heritage,” said mashed.com.
Nestled in a popular resort town with quaint Victorian houses, known as ‘God’s Square Mile,’ is Day’s Ice Cream in Ocean Grove.
The Monmouth County dessert shop has been serving ice cream one scoop at a time for more than 135 years. Day’s, is currently Ocean Grove’s oldest operating business that is still occupies its original location on Pitman Avenue. According reports, Day’s Ice Cream had three locations; Asbury Park, Morristown, and Newark in the earlier years. In 2017, Day’s launched another shop in Ocean Grove, Just Another Day’s, that closed due to a massive fire in 2019.
Here’s the story behind New Jersey’s oldest sweet institution, Day’s Ice Cream, according to mashed:
“Day’s Ice Cream opened in 1876 in Orange Grove, consistently serving ice cream to its customers ever since. It was opened by two brothers, William and Pennington Day, who were already in the ice cream business. The parlor has since become a local institution, known not only for its longevity but also for its classic homemade flavors and nostalgic atmosphere that reflect its rich history.”
Day’s Ice Cream is located at 48 Pitman Avenue on Auditorium Park in Ocean Grove. Operating hours are daily from noon to 10 p.m. through October.
Popular flavors incclude toasted coconut, black raspberry chocolate chip, peanut butter moose tracks, cinnamon, almond joy, salted caramel pretzel and hazelnut truffle latte. There is also an alternative menu with low fat frozen yogurt, sugar free ice cream, dairy free sorbets, dairy free soy, coconut milk and almond milk options.
New Jersey
Rite Aid files bankruptcy, to close 300 stores. Which NJ Rite Aid stores are closing?

A tour of Product with a Purpose, LBI store with special-needs staff
Product with a Purpose in Ship Bottom sells a variety of decorative and practical items, and it is staffed entirely by people with special needs.
If you frequent drug stores, you could soon be in for a longer ride.
Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy for a second time this month, and will close more than 300 stores during its restructuring.
“As we move forward, our key priorities are ensuring uninterrupted pharmacy services for our customers and preserving jobs for as many associates as possible,” Rite Aid CEO Matt Schroeder said in a news release.
Which Rite Aids are closing in New Jersey?
Here is the list of stores closing, according to USA Today.
- Bayville: 424 Route 9
- Blairstown: 151 Route 94
- Bridgeton: 1070 North Pearl St.
- Bridgeton: 52 East Broad St.
- Highland Park: 332 Raritan Ave.
- Little Egg Harbor: 220 Mathistown Road
- Neptune: 75 South Main St.
- Parlin: 3553 Washington Road
- Penns Grove: 130 East Main St.
- Perth Amboy: 76 Smith St.
- Pilesgrove: 865 Route 45
- Point Pleasant: 3258 Bridge Ave.
- Sicklerville: 403 Sicklerville Road
- Toms River: 220 Route 70
- Vineland: 7 West Landis Ave.
- Whitehouse Station: 531 US Highway 22 East
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