By Kelly Heyboer/ The Star-Ledger
A tentative compromise is in the works that could save the controversial propsosal to merge Rutgers-Camden with Rowan University, higher education officials said today. The framework for the deal calls for creation of a combined institution in South Jersey that would be controlled by an independent board but retain some form of the Rutgers name, the officials said.
Under the plan, negotiated behind the scenes by a group of state lawmakers and university officials, Rutgers would still oversee how degrees are awarded and other academic issues but would have no authority over day-to-day operations of its Camden campus, those involved in the talks say.
“There is a conceptual plan,” said Peter McDonough, Rutgers’ vice president for public affairs and one of those involved in the talks. “We think we’ve got a loose framework.”
The plan still faces review by Rutgers’ governing boards and Gov. Chris Christie, who has pushed for the merger and so far has given no indication he is willing to compromise on the plan — which has faced strong opposition on the Rutgers-Camden campus and among many in the Legislature.
Several top lawmakers and university officials — including Rutgers President Richard McCormick, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), state Sen. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Rutgers-Camden Chancellor Wendell Pritchett and Rutgers Board of Governors members Ralph Izzo and Joseph J. Roberts Jr. — have been meeting for weeks behind closed doors and by telephone to come up with a compromise.
George Norcross, the powerful South Jersey political boss and the brother of Donald Norcross, has also been pushing all parties to salvage parts of Christie’s merger plan and create a unified research university based in Camden.
“I actually am involved in trying to form an agreement here,” George Norcross said during an editorial board meeting today at The Star-Ledger’s offices in Newark. “I am trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.”
Norcross said he suggested the new Camden school to be named “Rowan-Rutgers University.” But others involved in negotiating the compromise said no name has been chosen.
Those involved said many details about the compromise still needed to be worked out and there is no written proposal yet to present to Christie, the Legislature or the Rowan and Rutgers governing boards.
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