Hundreds Gather To Oppose Takeover of Rutgers-Camden By Rowan U.
By David Madden
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) -- Students, faculty, and alumni at the Camden campus of Rutgers University met today to vent their frustration over a state plan to merge the school with Rowan University (see related story), and they are vowing to do everything they can to stop it.
Merging the schools means more than just a name change to students like Cody Miller.
Having Rutgers, as opposed to Rowan, on a résumé carries a lot more weight in the quest for employment, he says. And meaning no disrespect, he says, ""Rowan has a chance to be great. But it can't be at the expense of Rutgers University."
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One faculty member suggested the proposed change was meant more to shore up Rowan's bond rating, not to mention the new Rowan medical school now under construction.
Wendell Pritchett, chancellor at Rutgers-Camden, who also opposes the merger, urged everyone to put the heat on decisionmakers at the state capital. Buses of students will travel to Trenton next week for a state senate hearing. The school's board of governors meets in mid-February.
And then, of course, there's Governor Chris Christie. Many say they've tried to contact his office but haven't gotten very far.
