Lautenberg Calls for Investigation Into Rutgers-Rowan Merger

U.S. senator ‘greatly concerned’ about financial impact of restructuring on students
By Colleen O’Dea

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg on Monday sent a letter to the federal education secretary asking him to review the proposed merger of Rutgers’ Camden campus with Rowan University because it could wind up costing students more.

The letter prompted outrage from Gov. Chris Christie and John Sheridan Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Cooper Health System, both of whom support the reorganization plan.
The UMDNJ Advisory Committee created by Christie recommended two months ago folding Rutgers-Camden into Rowan. It also urged shrinking the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and giving three of its central Jersey units to Rutgers-New Brunswick.

In his letter to Arne Duncan, Lautenberg said he is seeking a federal review on behalf of thousands of students who get federal financial aid, including grants and loans, and he is “greatly concerned” about the financial impact of the merger on students. Using the USDOE’s own net price calculator, Lautenberg said Rowan costs between $5,000 and $8,000 more a year than Rutgers-Camden.

“Higher ‘net price’ for students may lead to increased rates of student borrowing through federal student loan programs and larger expenditures in student financial aid overall,” he wrote. “Furthermore, students who cannot afford the higher price tag of Rowan may have to reconsider their education choices.”

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