Overwhelming Opposition to Rutgers Merger in New Polling Reinforces Need for Governor to Answer Questions

Press Release

Public Polling Shows Merger Plan Is Deeply Unpopular Among New Jersey Voters

In light of new public polling that shows strong opposition to the controversial plan to merge Rutgers-Camden with Rowan, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) again called on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to answer questions regarding the deal.

"It's not a surprise that the public does not support a controversial plan that has been kept a secret from them. Hopefully this polling information will prompt Governor Christie to stop the name-calling and begin answering our substantive questions about the plan to merge Rutgers-Camden and Rowan. People in South Jersey and all over the state want information, not a back room deal between Governor Christie and his friends," Lautenberg said.

According to the data, only 19 percent of those polled support the proposed merger of Rutgers-Camden and Rowan Universities, while a majority oppose it.

During the past two months, Lautenberg has repeatedly called for information about the deal from Governor Christie. On February 22, Lautenberg first raised questions about the merger in a letter to Governor Christie. He followed up with a letter to Governor Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney raising similar questions on March 29th. Both letters have gone unanswered. Yesterday, in light of a new secret strategy document commissioned by Rowan University and Cooper University Hospital, Lautenberg again called for answers. Additionally, on March 26th, Lautenberg requested that Education Secretary Arne Duncan review the proposed merger.

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