Greenwald sees merger pros, cons

Written by Carol Comegno, Courier-Post Staff.

CHERRY HILL — Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald said the cost of the merger of Rutgers-Camden and Rowan University will determine his view.

He said he is trying to figure out the cost of Gov. Chris Christie’s controversial plan to merge Rutgers-Camden with Rowan by July 1 and to eliminate the Rutgers University name in South Jersey.

However, he sees it as an advantage for South Jersey if it results in expanded student enrollment.

“It would help, but at what cost?” Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, D-Camden, told the Courier-Post editorial board Thursday, alluding to the lack of an administration cost estimate for the planned merger.

“We have a capacity issue now,” he said, referring to lack of room at state colleges that leads to migration of students out of state. “I don’t know why people should object to growing a school in South Jersey.

“By investing (in this), we will stop the migration, but I am not for or against this merger until I know where the money is coming from,” he added, saying he is in the midst of fact-finding to try to determine that. “Right now, I am probably against it if it is revenue neutral.”

More>>