As a Rutgers alumna, I was upset--though not surprised--that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants to merge the Camden campus of Rutgers with Rowan University, which would give the merged school its name.
It is a widely disliked idea. To many people, giving up the "prestige" of the Rutgers name is a terrible idea. However, I think there are much better, and more practical, reasons to oppose the merger.
If we ask Cui bono?, the answer is not "students", "faculty", "taxpayers", "New Jersey" or even "industry" or "business." The only plausible answer I can find is this name: George Norcross. He's an insurance magnate and pal of the Governor. He not only wants the University to be named "Rowan", he also wants a medical school bearing that name.
Am I the only one who thinks he's looking for a nice cushy administrative job?
Even if he doesn't want--or get--such a job, he has a great incentive for the medical school: the research and industry dollars it would attract to the university. That, of course, wouldn't hurt his "bottom line."
I'm not nearly as familiar with Rowan as I am with Rutgers. However, I can say that they're two completely different types of institutions. It's not just a matter of "prestige", whatever that means. Rutgers is a well-known research university; Rowan is mainly a "teaching" college with a respected engineering program.
Perhaps I'm ignorant, but I just don't understand how it's possible to "merge" two schools that are so different. Students pick one school or the other for specific reasons. I don't think most of them would want to attend the "merged" school.
Maybe that's Christie's plan: Empty the school and close it. Actually, for the law school, that wouldn't be a half-bad idea. But for everything else, not so much.
As an aside, isn't it comical how Butterball Christie constantly talks about cutting the fat in government? I saw the clip of his confrontation where he shouted down a Rutgers law student - and then called him an "idiot."
ReplyDeleteBy the way, who hasn't noticed the trend that whenever Loudmouth Christie argues with a constituent, that person is whisked away by the state police?!?! Apparently, this fat pig cannot handle the slightest scrutiny.
Regarding the merger, I realize that many want to keep the Rutgers name. Frankly, I had not heard of Rowan, prior to this controversy. While I beat the hell out of these schools - including Rutgers-Newark - I do recognize that Rutgers is known nationally. If you live in California or Montana, have researched colleges, or have a slight intellectual curiosity, then you likely know that the school is located in New Jersey.
Nando--You're right: It is funny to watch him fulminating about cutting the "fat" in government.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, he is a bully. He makes the folks on Jersey Shore seem like Brahmins.
Dona, I don't know if you're reading too much into this. Norcross is a democrat and there's no way Christie tossed him a bone without getting something in exchange. As a NJ taxpayer, my only regret is that the state has any public law schools.
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