Rowan University's Board of Trustees has called a special meeting for Monday afternoon to discuss legislation that would merge the school with Rutgers-Camden.
The trustees will hear from the public and discuss legal ramifications of the merger in private. It's not known whether any formal action will be taken.
Democratic-sponsored legislation would reorganize Rowan and Rutgers-Camden under a new joint board. The reconfiguration is part of a major university overhaul supported by Republican Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic Party leader and Cooper Health System chairman George Norcross III.
The Courier-Post reported Monday that the Rowan University Senate – which includes faculty, staff and students – will vote Friday on taking an anti-merger position. According to the report, the group believes combining the two schools would hurt growth opportunities for both institutions.
Rutgers' governing boards voiced their opposition to any loss of autonomy last week. But they authorized officials to negotiate with the Legislature on a possible compromise.
