Sunday, August 26, 2012

Look What They're Saying About NJ Higher Ed Law

Rutgers-Camden Chancellor Wendell Pritchett: “It holds many promising opportunities for Rutgers–Camden to grow — and thrive — through greater administrative autonomy and financial support ...” (Lucas K. Murray, “Merger Bill Officially Becomes Law,” Courier-Post, 8/23/12)

·         Pritchett: “It also provides a thoughtful framework to promote collaborations in the health sciences among Rutgers–Camden, Rowan, the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and other institutions to realize our shared goal of attracting more federal research grants and more students to our region.”

·         Pritchett: “[This is] a transformative moment for Rutgers-Camden and higher education in Southern New Jersey.” (David Levinsky, “Christie Signs Higher-Education Overhaul Into Law,” Burlington County Times, 8/23/12)

·         Pritchett: “Signing of the New Jersey Medical and Health Sciences Higher Education Restructuring Act represents a milestone for the citizens of southern New Jersey and for Rutgers-Camden …” (Jessica Bautista, “Gov. Chris Christie Signs Higher Education Bill To Restructure Rowan, Rutgers Universities,” Gloucester County Times, 8/22/12)

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester) “thanked Christie at least four times during his remarks for showing ‘courage’ in pushing for the law. Two previous Democratic governors had failed to enact similar measures.” (Joelle Farrell, “Christie Signs Reorganization Of Colleges,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/22/12)

·         Sweeney: "A better-educated community is a healthier community all the way around - education, education, education … And this comes from a union ironworker that didn't go to college. That's why I value it even more."

·         Sweeney: “This is a legacy day for the state of New Jersey. Today, we’re doing what other states couldn’t do by making higher education in our state better …” (David Levinsky, “Christie Signs Higher-Education Overhaul Into Law,” Burlington County Times, 8/23/12)

·         Sweeney: “What we’ve accomplished here is the re-creation of South Jersey’s economy ...”

Newark Mayor Cory Booker: “This legislation is a win for Newark, it is a win for Rutgers, it is a win for medical higher education, it is a win for our hospital, and it is a win for New Jersey.” (Paul Milo, “UMDNJ Merger a 'Win for Newark,’” Newark Patch, 7/3/12)

State Sen. Donald Norcross (D., Camden): "Higher Ed in New Jersey has been talked about being reorganized for literally decades … I can't tell you how proud and how happy I am that the governor and the Legislature have acted to give Camden and South Jersey … what it deserves when it comes to resources." (Joelle Farrell, “Christie Signs Reorganization Of Colleges,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/22/12)

NJTV’s Andrew Schmertz: “By signing the legislation merging New Jersey’s higher education institutions, Governor Christie effectively ended years of raucous debate and government inaction on the issue, and started the process that will greatly expand Rutgers and Rowan universities.” (NJTV’s “NJ Today,” 8/22/12)

The Wall Street Journal: “The new law joins a growing list of bipartisan achievements for Mr. Christie and his Democratic allies, including a revision of tenure rules for public school teachers and increasing benefit contributions for public workers.” (Heather Haddon & Will James, “Rutgers Merger Signed Into Law,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/22/12)

Philadelphia Inquirer: “Flanked by legislators and state officials, Gov. Christie gave his ceremonial imprimatur at Rutgers-Camden on Wednesday to a historic overhaul of the state's higher education system, one of his greatest political triumphs.” (Joelle Farrell, “Christie Signs Reorganization Of Colleges,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/22/12)

The Record: “Christie Signs Law Creating Rutgers 'Powerhouse'” (Patricia Alex, “Christie Signs Law Creating Rutgers 'Powerhouse,'” The Record, 8/23/12)

·         “Governor Christie signed legislation on Wednesday that ushers in an era of potentially enormous growth at Rutgers University.”

·         “Rutgers, the state university, is poised to gain coveted dental and medical schools and attract more research dollars under the plan, hoisting it into the top 25 schools in the nation in terms of total grant funding for research.”

The Star-Ledger: “The sweeping new law will give Rutgers nearly all of UMDNJ — including its medical schools in Newark and Piscataway — in one of the greatest expansions in the state university’s history.” (Kelly Heyboer & Megan DeMarco, “Gov. Christie Signs N.J. Higher Education Merger bill,” The Star-Ledger, 8/23/12)

·         “Previous attempts to merge all of part of Rutgers and UMDNJ were abandoned during the McGreevey and Corzine administrations amid political bickering. This time around, the restructuring plan gained the backing of both Democrats and Republicans in Trenton.”

Gloucester County Times: “With one fell swoop of a pen, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a historic higher education restructuring bill Wednesday that will give Rutgers University a medical school and give Rowan University a research university designation.” (Jessica Bautista, “Gov. Chris Christie Signs Higher Education Bill To Restructure Rowan, Rutgers Universities,” Gloucester County Times, 8/22/12)

·         “The legislation … is expected to be an economic boon for New Jersey, keeping its students competitive with a global market and, overall, creating a stronger higher education system.”

·         “[P]ositive change in the years to come can be expected.”(Editorial, “Rowan And Rutgers Can Shine In South Jersey,” Gloucester County Times, 8/23/12)

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