Rutgers trustees reject Christie merger plan

By Patricia Alex And Marlene Naanes, NorthJersey.com

The Rutgers University Board of Trustees voted Thursday to reject any merger plan that would sever the Camden campus from the school. The board voted, 32-4, for a resolution opposing a complete takeover of the Camden campus by Rowan, as proposed by Gov. Chris Christie.

The resolution says the school would remain open to alternative proposals only if Rutgers-Camden remains part of Rutgers University.

In Christie’s proposal, Rutgers would lose the Camden campus, which would be absorbed by Rowan University. The state university would gain pieces of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in the deal — a move that would give Rutgers a much-coveted medical school in New Brunswick.

The trustees have less power than the university’s Board of Governors and officials are debating whether the trustees can block the plan.

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