Rutgers-Camden students, alumni and faculty gathered on campus Wednesday afternoon during a rally against a plan to merge the school with Rowan University.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants to merge the school with Rowan as part of a bigger plan to overhaul the state’s higher education system.
Rowan University in Glassboro would be elevated to a major research university under the plan to give it control of the Rutgers campus in Camden, which also houses a law school and business school.
Wednesday’s rally took place outside of the school’s library. It happened just before the Rutgers Board of Governors meeting at the Camden Campus where more than 40 people voiced their opinions on the proposal.
Many opponents of the plan argue that the Rutgers name is more powerful than Rowan on a national and international level. They fear the merger would create less educational opportunities for students in South Jersey.
A new poll from Rutgers-Eagleton finds the majority of New Jersey voters are against the merger as well. According to the poll, 57 percent of 914 adults interviewed by phone oppose the plan, 22 percent support it and 21 percent are unsure.
