This document provides a written account of a testimony of Al Koeppe, on behalf of the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. He describes the Commission on Higher Education and its role in the state as coordinating higher education within the state, planning, policy development, and advocacy. He then elaborates on the system of higher education in New Jersey. In the area of telecommunication services, he explains that information technology is increasingly critical to education at all levels of the system and that the state's overall well being depend on higher education system's ability to access various forms of technology. He continues to explain how the state has previously recognized the significance of telecommunications for higher education, despite a lack of financial support. He then stresses the need for universal service across the entire educational system and possible ways both K-12 and higher education institutions would benefit. He concludes with specific recommendations to the Board of Public Utilities. The Board is urged to adopt a statewide universal service fund with a separate component to provide discounted rates to higher education institutions for telecommunication services and the necessary connections to access services. An estimate of the proposal costs is included. (JJL)