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Merger Proposal and its Rejection

In January 2012, a state advisory committee proposed a deeply controversial plan [4] to merge Rowan University with the Camden campus of Rutgers University (which would have been separated from Rutgers) under Rowan's name. The plan was opposed by the Rutgers governing boards, faculty, students, and alumni, and by others in the state. Legislation passed in June 2012 entirely rejected the idea of a merger, though it did enhance the financial autonomy of Rutgers–Camden and included provisions for a loose collaboration between Rowan and Rutgers–Camden limited to research and teaching in the health sciences.

Timeline of Merger

October 1, 2011 (2011-10-01)

it is reported that Norcross’ has initialized a push to consolidate education in South Jersey. This is to compete with distinguished schools in neighboring areas.

November 2, 2011 (2011-11-02)

it is reported that Rowan’s Interim President Dr. Houshmoand faces a tough slew of questions brought by the public. He is unsure what the actual fate of the merger is, but he just needs to be trusted. Questions arise over how to place trust in something that is unknown. Professor addresses what problems she could see Rowan fixing first, before consolidation. “Becoming a research institution will not solve certain problems, neither will a merger”. President argues that a merger would mean a brighter future. Professor at Rowan addresses what problems she could see Rowan fixing first, before consolidation. “Becoming a research institution will not solve certain problems, neither will a merger”. President argues that a merger would mean a brighter future.

January 25, 2012 (2012-01-25)

The Barer Commission is unveiled by NJ’s governor to merge the Camden campus of Rutgers University including the law school with Rowan University near Glassboro (Scales). Plan is blasted by students and teachers of both sides. The combined school would be called Rowan University. Law students in particular are unhappy with changing the Rutgers-Camden Law School to Rowan Law School.

January 31, 2012 (2012-01-31)

Rutgers Law Dean Solomon told students that he was not interviewed by the Barer Commission of the UMDNJ as it made its proposals to revamp higher education in the state. The commission’s plan was endorsed by Governor Chris Christie the previous week. Students’ reactions are included in this, citing controversy.

March 11, 2012 (2012-03-11)

Partnerships would cost little, while a takeover would be expensive for taxpayers. Alternatives have been presented to government officials behind closed doors, but so far, the response has been silence.

March 14, 2012 (2012-03-14)

Rutgers-Camden community gathers in lecture hall to discuss the impact of the proposed merger of RUC and Rowan. Faculty may leave school if it merges with Rowan. Alternatives are suggested. NJ State Senator Donald Norcross attended and agreed that the loss of Rutgers-Camden would be detrimental. He wants it to separate from the administration of northern New Jersey. He says one of his biggest challenges in the State House is securing funding for the southern part of the state.

March 20, 2012 (2012-03-20)

Who holds the power to make the merger happen: The Governor or The Legislature? Answer is unclear; Assemblywoman Celeste Riley is unsure which proper channels the merger went through. A state appellate court has called into the question the reach of the governor’s executive authority. William Harla argues that since schools fall under the executive branch, they fall under the law. Rowan President argues that the idea is a transformative moment, “The magnitude of the challenge should not deter us from making this a world-class university”.

May 4, 2012 (2012-05-04)

“Battle lines were drawn when the Rutgers board overwhelmingly voted to oppose severing Rutgers-Camden from the rest of the university.” The trustees are going on record as saying they will not to rush to accept the merger by Christie’s deadline of July 1 2012, and they expect not to approve his restructuring at all.

June 18, 2012 (2012-06-18)

“Norcross predicted Rutgers-Camden would triple in size over the next decade, due to increased state, federal and private funding, but emphasized "there is no merger," the term that originally was employed to describe the Rutgers-Rowan relationship.” Sen. Joseph F. Vitale (D-Woodbridge) said the reorganization could cost $40 million, with an opportunity to recoup the costs in the future. He added it would be much less costly than the estimated $1 billion cost of an earlier proposal to create separate universities in Newark and Camden.

June 29, 2012 (2012-06-29)

The Legislature approved a historic restructuring of the state higher education system Thursday that merges the troubled University of Medicine and Dentistry into Rutgers University and makes Rowan University part of a sprawling new collegiate complex in South Jersey. Backers said the measure would retain Rutgers' control over its Camden campus - a key demand of the university's faculty, students, and governing boards. The vote followed days of contentious, behind-the-scenes negotiations between lawmakers and Rutgers' two boards.