Rutgers-Camden Merger Will Happen This Year, Says Governor Chris Christie

Governor Chris Christie says he has no plans to scale back — or slow down — a planned merger involving three of New Jersey’s public universities, despite vocal opposition from Rutgers-Camden.

Christie rejected pleas that Rutgers-Camden, including its well-regarded law school, keep its identity.

The proposal calls for Rowan University to take over Rutgers-Camden and for parts of the scandal-tainted University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey to be merged into Rutgers-Newark.

Students, faculty and staff of Rutgers-Camden urged public officials on Monday to reject the plan.

The question of whether Christie can enact the plan by executive order or whether it requires legislative approval is still up-in-the-air.

After touring a charter school in Hamilton Tuesday, Christie said the merger is an all-or-nothing proposal.

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