Rutgers University faculty union endorses Buono for governor

By Melissa Hayes

The union representing more than 6,000 faculty members, teaching assistants and other instructors at Rutgers University has endorsed state Sen. Barbara Buono’s gubernatorial bid.
The union representing faculty members at Rutgers University has backed Sen. Barbara Buono’s gubernatorial bid.

The American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers at Rutgers issued a statement endorsing Buono and saying, “she will become known as New Jersey’s ‘Higher Education Governor’ because she has the experience and leadership required to put student success at the center of higher education policy.”

The union represents more than 6,000 full- and part-time faculty, teaching and graduate assistants, as well as post-doctoral associates, instructors and professional staff.

Buono, a Democrat from Middlesex County, is the presumptive challenger to Governor Christie, a Morris County Republican seeking a second term.

The union said Buono, who put herself through Montclair State University, understands the importance of a college education.

“She has always stood with faculty, students and staff in our efforts to improve the quality of our colleges and universities while protecting access and affordability,” union president Adrienne Eaton said in a statement. “We’ve been losing that battle, but we expect that to change when Senator Buono becomes Governor Buono.”

More>>