Below is a copy of the Rutgers Law School Alumni Association's response to the proposed changes to Rutgers-Camden in the Jan. 25 final report of the UMDNJ Advisory Committee. 

Alumni Association ● 217 North 5th Street ● Camden ● New Jersey 08102
Phone: (856) 225-6180 ● Fax: (856) 969-7904

 

Rutgers University School of Law – Camden Alumni Association
Responds to Proposed Merger with Rowan University

For Immediate Release February 9, 2012

In response to the Final Report of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Advisory Committee, the Rutgers School of Law – Camden Alumni Association issued the following statement:

On January 25, 2012, Governor Chris Christie announced the release of a report studying the State’s higher education resources. That report recommends “a full integration” of Rutgers School of Law – Camden into Rowan University to form “an expanded university [that] should be called Rowan University.”
 
The Rutgers School of Law – Camden Alumni Association has received e-mails, social network postings, and calls from alumni expressing significant concern regarding the merger proposal. We share those concerns and strongly oppose any merger of the Law School into Rowan University that would result in the loss of our Rutgers affiliation and identity. 
 
We appreciate the thoughtful debate that is occurring across the State on how best to restructure health sciences education. We were surprised, however, to learn of the recommendation that the Law School merge into Rowan University. That recommendation was made without consulting the affected stakeholders, including our Law School Dean, student leaders, and representatives of our alumni constituency. The report fails to consider the adverse impact a merger of the Law School into Rowan University would have on student admissions, faculty retention, and the philanthropic efforts of Law School alumni to support scholarships, public interest advocacy, and legal education programs. The report also does not consider ongoing efforts by the Law School to collaborate and pool resources with Rutgers School of Law – Newark. 
 
The Rutgers Board of Governors and Board of Trustees soon will be asked to consider the recommendation, and potential action in the New Jersey State Legislature is likely. We encourage Law School alumni to write, email, or phone those considering the recommendation with their views on the proposed merger: 
 
 
Ralph Izzo
Chair, Rutgers Board of Governors
c/o Office of the Secretary of the University
7 College Avenue Winants Hall, Room 112
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1260
Phone: (848) 932-7434
Email: secretary@oldqueens.rutgers.edu		 Kenneth M. Scmidt
Chair, Rutgers Board of Trustees
c/o Office of the Secretary of the University
7 College Avenue Winants Hall, Room 112
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1260
Phone: (848) 932-7434
Email: secretary@oldqueens.rutgers.edu
 
Hon. Chris Christie
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 001
Trenton, New Jersey 08625 Phone: (609) 292-6000
Email: chris.christie@gov.state.nj.us		 Richard L. McCormick
Rutgers University President
83 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281
Phone: (848) 932-7454
Email: president@rutgers.edu
 

 

The Rutgers School of Law – Camden Alumni Association is the representative voice for the 9,000 alumni of the Law School. Our mission is to advance legal education through the promotion of alumni and undergraduate interests. For more information, visit http://camlaw.rutgers.edu/alumni