Rutgers-Camden, Rowan merger takes spotlight during legislative hearing in Glassboro

By Jessica Driscoll/ Gloucester County Times

GLASSBORO — Both those who support the merger of Rutgers University in Camden with Rowan University and those who want Rutgers-Camden to remain a separate entity agree there’s a need for a stronger higher education system in South Jersey — but they disagree on the best way to make that happen.
At Monday’s joint hearing of the New Jersey Senate Higher Education Committee and the Assembly Higher Education Committee in Glassboro, both sides offered testimony to the committees who were seeking more information before the proposal passes through the New Jersey Legislature.

The four-hour hearing — held in Rowan’s student center ballroom on the Glassboro campus — included nearly 50 testimonies from students, faculty, alumni, residents and politicians for and against the recommendations submitted to Gov. Chris Christie by the UMDNJ Advisory Committee. Though the hearing was held on Rowan’s campus, there were more speakers against the merger and in favor of maintaining both institutions as separate entities while exploring alternate opportunities for partnership. Compared to previous meetings, the public was subdued.

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