NJ gov. supports merging of Rowan and Rutgers-Camden

Gov. Chris Christie announced his support Wednesday for the University of Medicine and Dentistry’s Advisory Committee’s recommendation to unite Rowan University and Rutgers University-Camden, under Rowan’s name, as a singular research institution.

As stated in the final report of the advisory committee to the governor, the merger would provide “southern New Jersey academic and health care delivery leaders with an accelerated opportunity to support Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and develop a comprehensive public research university that benefits the region and the State.”

In summary, the committee concluded that merging Rowan and Rutgers-Camden would result in a two-campus institution, both of which would offer undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as research programs. This institution would be the second of its kind in New Jersey, with Rutgers-New Brunswick serving as the first.

This integration would also include the law and business school at Rutgers-Camden, according to the committee’s final report.

Though the committee found both universities offered the southern region of the state strong graduate and undergraduate programs, affiliating the medical school with only one of those universities would not be sufficient for its future success. They, along with Christie, agree that this merger would pool the resources of the region to offer a highly successful research institution.

“This is a very good thing for the region, for the state, and for us,” Rowan University Interim President Ali Houshmand said.

Though the University’s Senate has not issued a formal statement in light of the committee’s latest report and Christie’s endorsement, Senate President Eric Milou said he believes, “this is a tremendous opportunity and great challenge for all of us at Rowan and I believe that we are well positioned to success.”

In addition, the Student Government Association is in the process of drafting a statement to the students about the recent news of a merger.

“There are many positive aspects of the merger. We’ll receive more funding, become a research institution, which will only strengthen the value of our degree,” said Stephanie Ackerman, president of the SGA. Ackerman plans to meet with the university administration to further discuss how these changes will affect students.

Many are wondering what steps lay ahead of both universities and who will be affected. Ultimately, Christie will make these final decisions, either by way of an executive order or with the help of the state Legislature.

“Right now the report has been issued, the governor has said he accepts all of it, and the next thing is to operationalize it,” Houshmand said. “The committee has recommended that we should do it quickly. So we will see what quickly means.”

As Houshmand points out, there are a few reasons why these decisions may need to be made quickly.

First, the budgets of both schools need to be consolidated and as the new fiscal year begins on July 1, the government usually begins working on the budget in February, Houshmand said.

Second, the student bodies  and curricula of each university need to be combined.

“That takes tremendous amount of effort to combine two curricula,” Houshmand said. “It’s going to take a lot of time and effort.”

Houshmand said he would be surprised if immediate changes occurred within the next semester.

“In order for us to eventually fully integrate into one university is going to take several years of intense effort,” Houshmand said.

Another recommendation the final report suggests includes additions to the Board of Trustees. Right now, there are 15 members and one student member on the Rowan Board.

Houshmand said he does not know how many more members will be added, or who those members will be.

According to the report, “While the committee does not recommend a specific number of new trustee seats, it does believe that the expansion should put Rowan’s board in line with those at other New Jersey public research universities.”

Ultimately, the committee said it believes this goal, once realized, would stop the flow of New Jersey students to out-of-state institutions and result in more clinical research investment for key New Jersey industries.

“It’s good for the population and that’s what we’re here for,” Houshmand said.