Assembly to Introduce Rutgers Merger Bill

Legislation to carry out a higher education overhaul of Rutgers University in Camden, New Brunswick and Newark is set to be introduced in the Assembly on Thursday.

The bill mirrors a measure introduced in the Senate on Monday tying Rutgers-Camden to Rowan University and transferring the scandal-tainted University of Medicine and Dentistry to Rutgers in New Brunswick and Newark.

The bills advance a proposal by Gov. Chris Christie and strongly supported by Democratic Party leader George Norcross III.

A group of Rutgers-Camden faculty opposes the plan, which Christie wants in place by June 30.

Rutgers' two governing boards on Wednesday affirmed their intention to retain control of all three campuses, but left the door open to negotiate a deal with the Legislature.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)