External Viewpoints

The New Jersey Higher Education Task Force report has opened serious discussion on the future of the state’s colleges and universities.

Moody’s Investor Service

New Jersey Task Force Call for Increased Public University Support Is Credit Positive
“New Jersey is recognizing the importance of investing in higher education for the long-term benefit of the state’s economy.”
Moody’s, January 10, 2011

Media Coverage

Opinion Pieces

Medical School Students Would Approve Move
By Rich LeBano, Student Government Association President
“RWJMS students such as ourselves are overwhelmingly in favor of joining Rutgers.”
Letter to the Editor, Star-Ledger, January 14, 2011

A Fresh Look at NJ Higher Education
By James Ahearn, Record Columnist
“Rutgers currently lacks a medical school. Getting one, particularly one as highly regarded as Robert Wood Johnson, would strengthen the university’s standing in the sciences.”
Opinion, Bergen Record, January 12, 2011

Merger Plan Makes Sense
“A union with Rutgers should enhance the strengths of both institutions, while filling in some of the gaps. For instance, the medical school would benefit from Rutgers’ stature as a research university.”
Editorial, Times of Trenton, January 10, 2011

News Stories

UMDNJ Officials Torn over Possible Dismantling, Merger with Rutgers
“Rutgers President Richard McCormick is enthusiastically pushing for the state university to merge with Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. UMDNJ President William Owen Jr. has come out against losing a chunk of his university.”
Star-Ledger, January 11, 2011

Higher Education Task Force Says to Stop Slashing Funding
“Kean, the former president of Drew University [and head of the task force], said New Jersey must stop slashing funding to its colleges and begin reforming its higher education system. ‘If we don’t do this we’re going to see a continuing decline not only in higher education but in the state as a whole,’ Kean said.”
Star-Ledger, January 5, 2011

Panel Calls on NJ to Help Colleges
“New Jersey should increase financial support of its public colleges and universities and spare them from state-imposed caps on tuition and fees, according to a report released Tuesday by the state’s Higher Education Task Force.”
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 5, 2011

NJ Higher Education Panel Calls for More Funding for Public Colleges
“The report also offered specific recommendations for the state university, saying the state should have ‘the Rutgers of its dreams.’ ”
NorthJersey.com, January 4, 2011

NJ Higher Education Task Force Proposes Plan to Merge Rutgers University, UMDNJ
“A task force headed by former Gov. Tom Kean proposed sweeping changes yesterday to the structure and financing of New Jersey’s higher education system, while reviving a controversial proposal to add a medical school to Rutgers University.”
Star-Ledger, January 4, 2011