The statements follow days of pressure from Rutgers-Camden alumni, faculty, and students, who are urging the university's boards of trustees and governors - McCormick sits on both as a nonvoting member - to vote against the proposal.

At Thursday's question-and-answer event in Camden, Pritchett's comments drew riotous applause from hundreds of students, faculty, and alumni crammed into a campus auditorium.

"Let me be clear about this. I am opposed to the takeover of my campus, of our campus," Pritchett said.

"I agree South Jersey and our campus need more resources. I want to applaud the committee for recognizing that. But not this way," he said, referring to the governor's higher-education task force's recommendations.

Last week, Christie announced plans to overhaul the state's higher-education system, moving assets among Rutgers, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Rowan with the aim of creating what he said would be a stronger public university system that could rival the best public universities in the country.

"Rutgers is good, but not great," he said of the university, which has campuses in Newark, New Brunswick, and Camden.

The governor's office did not return a phone call Thursday for comment.

The proposal for South Jersey involves merging Rutgers-Camden into Glassboro-based Rowan, creating a split campus that would include a law school, two business schools, and the soon-to-open Rowan-Cooper Medical School in Camden.

The concept is to create a research university that would both expand the historically low number of higher-education seats in the region and create an institution that could attract biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

Read more here:
Rutgers-Camden chancellor denounces merger plan

A question-and-answer event drew hundreds, many clad in Rutgers red and bearing signs declaring "Save Rutgers-Camden."

"Let me be clear about this, I am opposed to the takeover of my campus, of our campus," Pritchett said at the meeting.

"I agree South Jersey and our campus needs more resources. I want to applaud the committee for recognizing that, but not this way," he added, referring to the governor's higher-education task force.

Last week Christie announced plans to overhaul the state's higher education system, moving assets among Rutgers, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Rowan with the aim of creating what he said would be a stronger public university system that could rival those in other states.

"Rutgers is good, but not great," he said of the university, which has campuses in Newark, New Brunswick, and Camden.

The proposal for South Jersey involves merging Rutgers-Camden into Glassboro-based Rowan 20 miles away, creating a split campus that would include a law school, two business schools, and the soon-to-open Rowan Cooper Medical School in Camden.

The concept is to create a top-ranked research university that would both expand the historically low number of higher education seats in the region and create an institution that could attract biotech and pharmaceutical companies to the region.

But among the 6,000 students at Rutgers-Camden, the prospect of leaving the Rutgers system after more than 60 years has proved to be widely unpopular.

Student groups are planning to travel to Trenton on Monday to protest.

The university's alumni association staffed a table on campus Thursday instructing students to contact the university's boards of governors and trustees, who under state law have authority to block the proposal, according to Rutgers.

Much of the opposition in Camden revolves around losing the Rutgers name.

"It's like an executive at Procter and Gamble saying we should change the name of Crest and Tide today. They would be asked to hand in their resignation at the end of that day," said Steve Geonnotti, a Rutgers alum who attended Thursday's event.

 

Contact staff writer James Osborne at 856-779-3876 or jaosborne@phillynews.com.

 

See original here:
Rutgers-Camden chief opposes Christie merger plan

NEW LISTINGS

Concert Chorale Performance: The Bethune-Cookman University Alumni. St. Peter's Missionary Baptist Church, 4250 38th Ave., Vero Beach, 4 pm, Feb. 12. 772-770-9683.

"Dolphin Tales": Movies at the ranch under the stars; refreshments. LaPorte Farms, 7700 129th St., Sebastian, 5:30 pm, Feb. 25. $5. 772-633-0813; LaPorteFarms.com.

Critter & Horse Camp: LaPorte Farms, 7700 129th St., Sebastian, 8 am-3 pm, Mar. 12-16. Age 5-14. $150. Register: 772-633-0813; LaPorteFarms.com.

Dog Training: Six weeks. Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, 6230 77th St., Vero Beach. 9 am, Feb. 29. $35. Registration Feb. 13-28, 772-388-3331; cellis@hsvb.org.

Spring Horse Camp: Horseback riding, safety, games, etc. Carefree Ranch, 7290 53 St., Vero Beach, 9 am-2 pm, Mar. 12-16. 7+. $120-$150. Register: 772-564-9222; carefreeranch.org.

"Oliver!": VBHS production. Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th St., Vero Beach, 7:30 pm, Feb. 17-18, 2 pm Feb. 19. $10-$12. Ticket: 772-564-5537.

Sweetheart's Romance: At the Ranch. LaPorte Farms, 7700 129th St., Sebastian, 6 pm, Feb. 11. Ages 21+. $50/couple. Reservation: 772-633-0813; LaPorteFarms.com.

Revival Services: Guest speaker the Rev. Rick Baldwin. First Baptist of Wabasso, 4720 86th St., Wabasso, 7 pm, Feb. 20-21. 772-589-5256; firstbaptistwabasso.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Friday

Adventure Kayaking: Naturalist Guided kayak tour. Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge, North Jungle Trail, Vero Beach, 9 am-noon, 1-4 pm, Feb 3, 5, 6, 10, 12. $25-$45. Reservation: 772-567-0522; paddleflorida.com.

Jazz In The Garden: Bossas, Boleros & Blues trio. McKee Botanical Garden, 350 US 1, Vero Beach, 6-8 pm, Feb. 3, Mar. 9. $5-$9; dinner $17.95. Reservation: 772-794-0601. mckeegarden.org. Also, Jazz Brunch, noon-2 pm, Mar. 18. $13.95.

Blood Drive: Indian River Federal Credit Union, 2800 20th St., Vero Beach, 10 am-5:30 pm, Feb. 3. Bring ID. indianriverbloodbank.com; irfcu.com.

Library Coffee House: Country, jazz, traditional folk music by the Ashley Gang. North IRC Library, 1001 CR 512, Sebastian, 7-9 pm, Feb. 3. 772-589-1355.

Southern Gospel Concert: Featuring Palmetto State Quartet. First Baptist Church of Fellsmere, 107 North Magnolia St., 7 pm, Feb. 3. Offering. 772-571-0930.

"The World Goes Round": Riverside Theatre, 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, 2 pm, Feb. 4, 5, 8, 11, 12; 8 pm, Feb. 3-4, 7-11. $40. 772-231-6990; info@riversidetheatre.com.

Saturday

Celebrated Speakers Series: Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach, 4 pm, 7 pm. Mark Shields, Feb. 4; Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Feb. 25; Joe Scarborough, Mar. 10; Bob Woodward, Mar. 31. $65-$275. Ticket: 772-778-5249; TheEmersonCenter.org.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Guest speakers, free HIV testing. Gifford Youth Activity Center, 4875 43rd Ave., Vero Beach, 8:30-11:30 am, Feb. 4. RSVP: 772-794-7477.

Brevard Symphony Orchestra: With violinist Philippe Quint. King Center, Melbourne, 2 pm, 8 pm, Feb. 4. $34-$45.

Night Sounds: Concert w/ Atlantic Bluegrass. Sebastian Inlet State Park, 14251 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach, 7-9 pm, Feb. 4. 772-388-2750; floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet.

RIDES Extravaganza: Smokin Flamez BBQ Competition & Festival. IRC Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach, 9 am-3 pm, Feb. 4. $5. RidesExtravaganza.com.

Rummage Sale: Benefits Vero Beach Recreation Department Performing Arts. Leisure Square, 3705 16th St., Vero Beach, 8 am, Feb. 4. 772-770-3775; covb.org.

Valentine Craft Show: Riverview Park, 650 Indian River Dr., Sebastian, 9 am-3 pm, Feb. 4. 321-727-0932; sebastiancraftclub.com.

Denise Matteo: Dinner/Dance fundraiser. Vero Beach Elks Club, 1350 26th St., 7 pm, Feb. 4. $40. Reservation: 772-562-8450.

Gardenfest: Plant sale, speakers, youth activities, food court. Nature's Finest Marketplace, 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, 9 am-5 pm, Feb. 4; 9 am-4 pm, Feb. 5. 772-567-4602; gardenclubofirc.org.

Miloga En Color: Monthly Argentine tango class & party. Royal Ballroom Dance Studio, 1533 US 1, Vero Beach, 8 pm, Feb. 4. Adults. $15. 772-299-5772; danceverobeach@aol.com.

CDH Flag & Tackle Football: Clinic, learn basic & advance skills. Leisure Square Recreation Department, 3705 16th St., Vero Beach, 11 am-1 pm, Feb. 4. Ages 5-15. $45/8 weeks. Register: 772-882-1977; hpraisehim4@aol.com.

Sporting Clays: Charity shoot. Indian River Trap & Skeet Club, 5925 82nd Ave., Vero Beach, 8:15 am, registration, 9:30 am, shotgun start, Feb. 4. $85-$425. 772-770-6626; elainej@sunupofir.org.

Tom Walton Golf Benefit: Sandridge Golf Course, 5300 73rd St., Vero Beach, 7 am, Feb. 4. $100. Register: 772-569-9853.

LoPresti Charity Breakfast & Fly In: Aviation presentation, planes on display. Sebastian Airport, 210 Airport Drive E, 9 am-11:30 am, Feb. 4. $8. 772-562-4757; LoPrestiAviation.com.

Flea Market: Spanish Lakes Fairways Clubhouse, Indrio Rd.; I-95 (Exit 138), Fort Pierce, 9 am-1 pm, Feb. 4.

RECURRING EVENTS

Friday

EXERCISE/HEALTH

Jazzercise: River Walk Center, 600 N Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce, 10-11 am. $10. 772-489-1198; cityoffortpierce.com.

Karate: Beginner thru Advanced classes. Shoot Do Ryu Academy, 474 NW Lake Whitney Pl., Port St. Lucie, 4:30-8 pm. Ages 5+. 772-634-4268.

Karate For Christ: Treasure Coast Christian Academy, 590 NW Peacock Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 7-8:30 pm. Ages 5+. $3 donation. 772-332-0101; lasalasdojo.com.

Square Dance: Fairways Twirlers. Spanish Lakes Fairways Clubhouse, Spanish Lakes Blvd., Fort Pierce. 10 am. 772-409-4538.

Zumba: Maravilla Center, 2622 Oleander Blvd., Fort Pierce, 6:30 pm. $6. 772-489-6473; cityoffortpierce.com.

GAMES

ACBL Bridge Club: Duplicate. River Walk Center, 600 N Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce, 1 pm. Ages 18+. $5. 772-489-6473; mkubitschek@city-ftpierce.com.

Bingo: Knights of Columbus Council 7514, 451 SW Ravenswood Ln., Port St. Lucie, 4:30 pm doors open; 6:30 pm bingo. Ages 18+.

Bingo: DAV Hall, 1150 SW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 7 pm.

NATURE

Aquatic Preserve Eco Cruise: See alligators, turtles, birds on the North Fork St. Lucie River. River Park Marina, 500 East Prima Vista Blvd., Port St. Lucie, 1 pm. $23. Reservation: 772-489-8344; riverlillycruises.com.

Saturday

ANIMALS/PETS

Dogs For Life Inc.: Dog training, companion, assistance, pet assisted therapy, canine good citizen. Off-Leash Dog Park, 1230 16th Ave., Vero Beach, 9 am. $75. Register: 772-567-8969; dogsforlifevb@bellsouth.net.

BENEFITS/FUNDRAISERS

Saturday Breakfast: Vero Beach Masonic Lodge, 1959 14th Ave., 7-10 am, $5.

DANCE

Family Karaoke Party: Singing, dancing. Swingsation's 14th Ave. Dance Studio, 2109 14th Ave., Vero Beach, 7 pm. 772-794-9292; DJandDanceProductions.com.

Foxtrot Lessons: Marianela Tobar. Swingsation's 14th Ave. Dance Studio, 2109 14th Ave., Vero Beach, 4 pm. $10-$15. 772-766-0578; DJandDancePro@gmail.com.

EXERCISE/HEALTH

Kettlebell Training: Leisure Square, 1705 16th Ave., Vero Beach, 8:30 am. Ages 18+. $10. Reservation: 772-321-6003; jasfitness.com.

Meditation/Transformation Class: Rejuvenate your body/mind for optimal health. Dr. Josefina -AMFCC, 3408 Aviation Blvd., Vero Beach, 5:30-7 pm. $15. RSVP: 772-778-8877; drjosefina.com.

Pilates Classes: 1060 6th Ave., Vero Beach, 9 am mat class, 10 am tower, 11 am reformer. 772-646-0603; verobeachpilates.com.

Qi-gong, A Healing Workout: Unity Center of Vero Beach, 950 43 Ave., Vero beach, 10-11 am. Age 6+. $10/class. 772-569-4090; thecloudwalker.com.

OTHER

Art & Craft Classes: CREATE, 835 17th St. #106, Vero Beach. 10 am-noon or 1-3 pm. $22-$35/class. Reservation: 772-538-1989; createatstudioma.com.

Stand Up Paddle Lesson: Learn from ACA certified instructor. Florida Outdoor Center, 1606 N Indian River Dr., Sebastian, 9 am. Ages 10+. $75. Register: 772-202-0220; floutdoor.com.

Touch Tank Encounter: Hands-on experience with critters. Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Dr., 10 am-noon. $5 adult. 772-589-5050; DiscoverELC.org.

LOOKING AHEAD

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra: "Pines of Rome." Trinity Episcopal Church, 2365 Pine Ave., Vero Beach, 3 pm, Feb. 5. $20-$25. Ticket: 321-536-8580; SpaceCoastSymphony.org.

SheSpirit Workshop: Build self confidence, get centered, change your life. Spark of Divine, 1789 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach, 9:30 am-1:30 pm, Feb. 5, 12. Young adults+. $25-$80. Register: 6464897554; shespirit.net

Super Bowl Sale: All proceeds benefit animals of Indian River County. Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River Co. Thrift Shop, 4445 20th St., Vero Beach, noon-4 pm, Feb. 5. Also: 551 CR 512, Sebastian.

"The Full Monty": 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, 2 pm, thru Feb. 5, 7:30 pm Feb. 1-2, 8 pm, Feb. 3-4, $36-$70. 772-231-6990; info@riversidetheatre.com.

Horseshoe Tournament Chili Cookoff: Sebastian Eagles No. 4067, 9606 Trade Center Drive, Sebastian, noon-6 pm, Feb. 5. $5 minimum. scubasuefl@comcast.net.

Legislative Office Hours: State Rep. Debbie Mayfield. North County Library, 1001 CR 512, Sebastian, 10 am. Register: 772-778-5077; sandi.harpring@myfloridahouse.gov.

AAUW Book Review: Barbara Beckham reviews "Why Gender Matters". Richardson Center, IRSC Mueller Campus, 6155 College Ln., Vero Beach, continental breakfast 9:30 am, review 10 am, Feb. 6. Adults. 772-532-4712; aauwverobeach.org.

AARP Safe Driving Refresher Course: Boys & Girls Club, 1729 17th Ave., Vero Beach, 9 am-noon, Feb. 6-7. Age 50+. . $12-$14. Register: 772-562-3184.

Nonprofit Information Fair: Schumann Hall Senior Center, 686 14th St., Vero Beach, 2 pm, Feb. 7. 772-469-2062; kdelong@sramail.org.

Open House: Discover St. Edward's School, learn about its programs. 1895 St. Edward's Drive, Vero Beach, 7 pm, Feb. 7. 772-492-2360; pzeuner@steds.org.

Knot Tying: Lower School, 1895 St. Edward's School, Vero Beach, 3:30-4:30, Tues. Jan. 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28. Grades 2-5. $120. Register: 772-492-2113; bbrown@steds.com.

Eye & Vision Research Symposium: Harvard Medical School & Vision Eye Center to present. Majestic Theater, 940 14th Ln., Vero Beach, 9-11:30 am, Feb. 8. Register: 866-288-0741; schepens.harvard.edu/symposia_2012.

IRMC's Blow the Whistle: Learn about Skin Cancer. Indian River State College's Richardson Center, 6155 College Ln., Vero Beach, 2:30-4 pm, Feb. 8,. RSVP.772-563-4627; icmc.cc.

Stonecroft Women's Connection: Valentines luncheon; speaker. Pearl Harbor survivor Arnold Schwichtenberg. Oak Harbor Clubhouse, 4755 S. Harbor Dr, Vero Beach, noon, Feb. 8. Adults. $18. Reservation: 772-770-1707; lcable1@comcast.net.

"Re-entering The Social Scene": VNA Hospice Bereavement group on dating scene after a loss. Nightingale Private Duty Nursing Office, 920 37th Place Suite 101, Vero Beach, 6: pm, Jan 25, Feb. 8, 15.

Diamonds In Amsterdam: Video. Vero Beach Museum of Arts, 3001 Riverside Park Dr., 7 pm, Feb 9.

Film: "Rails Across Russia, St. Petersburg to the Pacific": North Indian River County Library, 1001 Sebastian Blvd., Sebastian, 3-4 pm, Feb. 9. 772-589-1355.

Penn & Teller: King Center, 3865 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne. 8 pm, Feb. 9. Ticket: 321-242-2219; kingcenter.com.

Tennis Tournament: King of the Hill Tennis Tournament. Boulevard Village & Tennis Club, 1620 Blvd., Village Ln., Vero Beach, 6 pm. Feb. 9, 16, 23. $5. pmircyouth.com.

Sebastian Elks 3-Day Weekend: Lodge 2714, 731 S. Fleming St., 3 pm Feb. 10, 5 pm Feb. 11, noon-4 pm Feb. 12. Ticket: 772-589-1516.

Haiti Partners Benefit: Dinner banquet. Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd St., 6:30 pm, Feb. 10. $30. Benefits education in Haiti. Ticket: 772-539-8521; haitipartners.org.

Valentine's Banquet: New Generation Holiness Church, Inc., Gifford Community Center, 4855 43rd Ave., 6 pm, Feb. 10. $15-$25. Ticket: 772-501-1194.

"Behind The Mask": Broadway show tunes, dancing, dinner. Vero Beach Museum of Art, 3001 Riverside Park Dr., 6:30 pm, Feb. 10. $250. Benefits Atlantic Classical Orchestra. Ticket: 772-460-0850; acomusic.org.

OBA Sunset Saturday Night: Concert. Sexton Plaza, Ocean Dr., Vero Beach, 5:30-8:30 pm, Feb. 11, Mar. 10. VeroBeachOBA.com.

Read the original here:
Indian River Community Calendar: Updated Feb. 3

13-07-2011 08:06 Onelia G. Lage, MD, Assoc. Professor Clinical Pediatrics and Director, Adolescent Medical Education and Community Health Miller School of Medicine University of Miami was one of 28 outstanding alumni honored by MDC at the Alumni Hall of Fame Gala on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Hilton Miami Downtown.

Continued here:
2010 Miami Dade College (MDC) Alumni Hall of Fame - Onelia G. Lage, MD, Medicine - Video

University of Tennessee Health Science Center officials said they’ll get to work on the school’s multi-disciplinary simulation building “as fast as we can” if the Legislature approves a $24.1 million funding request.

Gov. Bill Haslam requested the funds for the building in his 2013 budget, which he unveiled during his State of the State address Monday in Nashville.

The simulation facility would be similar to Vanderbilt University’s Center for Experiential Learning & Assessment where students and trainees practice medicine on human simulators, smart mannequins that can produce real medical symptoms.

“In the same sense that pilots have to go in a simulator, modern education says we have to simulate all sorts of medical encounters and medical procedures that physicians, dentists, nurses and pharmacists go through,” said Dr. Steve Schwab, UTHSC chancellor.

Educators use these simulators to mimic real-world disasters or emergencies, both in and out of a health care facility.

The facility will not compete, he said, with the nearby Medical Education & Research Institute, which uses real, donated human specimens for advance training and research by physicians and engineers.

Schwab said the university’s new facility will be “multi-disciplinary” as it will bring simulators from all over campus into one building. Multi-disciplinary training in general, however, will begin on the campus in the next six months, he said.

“One of the expectations of modern education is that health care is a team sport, that you can’t educate health care professionals in a vacuum without other professionals,” Schwab said.

The governor’s budget also includes $4 million to tear down three buildings on the university’s Memphis campus: the Feurt Building, which faces Forrest Park from Dunlap; the Beale Building, which is just behind the Scottish Rite building on Union; and Randolph Hall, which is close to the Student Alumni Center on Madison.

Schwab has said the buildings are “not worth investing in” and still need to come down. State funds for the demolition project have been cut for the last three years.

Also, the governor wants to give UTHSC $2 million to renovate the Crowe Laboratory Science Building for faculty offices and support space for the College of Nursing. Some of the money would also be spent to renovate laboratories in the Nash Building and to replace some building systems.

The price of the three projects comes in much lower than a proposed $126.7 million science building at Middle Tennessee State University and a $94 million science lab at University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Haslam’s budget includes $335.4 million in capital and maintenance projects for colleges and universities across the state.

Should the Legislature approve the funding, it will be the most spent for higher education capital projects for more than six years.

Read the original here:
UTHSC in Memphis says proposed simulation building key to medical education

Posted: Monday, January 30, 2012 5:27 pm | Updated: 8:13 pm, Mon Jan 30, 2012.

CAMDEN — The proposal to merge Rutgers University in Camden with Rowan University under Rowan's name has been met with skepticism, bordering on disbelief, by alumni, faculty members and students at the Rutgers campus.

"They have never seen anything like this in the history of the United States," said Rutgers historian Jacob Soll, an award-winning author and MacArthur Fellow who is leaving the college for a professorship at the University of Southern California.

"I don't know one person in the entire system — student or faculty — who thinks this is a good idea," Soll said.

Rutgers School of Law-Camden Dean Rayman Solomon told about 300 concerned law students that he was not interviewed by the Barer Commission of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey as it made its proposals to revamp the higher education system in the state. The commission's plan was endorsed by Gov. Chris Christie last week.

"I was never called to talk to the commission," Solomon said, adding that "the specificity" of the report "comes as a surprise, at least to me."

The report suggests that a combined Rowan-Rutgers University in Camden — with Rowan's medical school and Rutgers' law school — would attract research funds, allow the combined school to offer more graduate degrees, and form better partnerships with businesses, Rowan spokesman Joe Cardona said last week.

Solomon told the law students that upgrading the research stature of the South Jersey institutions has some validity, but that Camden should not sever its ties to the Rutgers system.

The law school dean has received 400 emails regarding the proposed merger.

"This is not a done deal," he said. "People who are making decisions — the (Rutgers) board of governors, board of trustees — need to hear from you."

Rutgers students have collected 3,200 signatures on a website, r2rmerge.com, to be used in a petition drive against the merger. Rutgers' members of the American Association of University Professors-American Federation of Teachers have developed an action plan to fight the proposal, also on the r2r website.

Forums about the proposed merger are being held on the Camden campus Thursday and Monday. A meeting with the board of governors is planned for Feb. 15.

Solomon listened as student after student questioned how valuable their law degrees will be if the institution that issues them changes to one that does not now have a law school. They questioned increases in tuition, effects on scholarships, accreditation of a newly named law school, whether students or faculty who may have been attracted to Rutgers because of its prestige would attend a newly established law school, and how they would be perceived when they graduate and want to apply to firms around the country that may not have heard of Rowan University.

Charles Prescott, a first-year law student from Columbia, S.C., said he came to Rutgers for its name recognition.

"Assuming the worst case and this becomes Rowan School of Law, what happens to me? Are we in University of North Dakota land? Where are we?" Prescott asked.

"If this were to happen, if you shop that degree in California or Colorado — I don't know," the dean responded.

He said that people would know the circumstances and that many local firms hire Rutgers law graduates.

Soll said Camden faculty members are devastated by the news. Although he did not want to take away from Rowan, he said the stature of the scholarship of tenured faculty members at the two institutions is not the same. Rutgers' faculty members are required to publish many more works before they get tenure, Soll said.

"They are world-class scholars," he said.

Soll said that it would take years for Rowan to reach the stature to receive federal funding on the level as nearby research institutions such as Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania, and that Rowan would need to match many grants it wanted to pursue. Where that money would come from without a strong endowment or adequate state funding was questionable.

A faculty member who asked not to be identified said many nontenured staffers were seeking other positions.

"Almost all our junior faculty have been looking for other jobs," he said.

Alumni also voiced strong opposition to the plan.

Jeffrey Bisk, a commercial Realtor from Moorestown, called it "disastrous."

Internationally recognized artist Hugh Bastidas, who studied at Rutgers in Newark, said he and others who contribute money may be less willing to do so because of the plan.

"As an alumnus, I'm worried about bequeathing anything to my alma mater because any governor in the future could take it away," Bastidas said.

Peg Quann: 609-871-8057; email: pquann@phillyBurbs.com; Twitter: @pequann

© 2012 phillyBurbs.com . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

See the original post:
Rutgers law students protest merger plan