Rowan Trustees Endorse University Merger Bill

Rowan University's governing board has endorsed legislation merging the school with Rutgers-Camden, while asking to retain its authority over campus matters.

The Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution supporting a Democrat-sponsored bill to bind the two schools after six faculty members spoke against the proposal.

Monday's vote followed nearly two hours of closed-door discussions about the deal, which would give Rowan an osteopathic school, ensure added state funding by designating it a research university and create a joint board to oversee the two campuses.

The trustees' resolution expresses reservations only about the authority of the joint board, asking that it not be granted veto power over Rowan matters.

Rowan faculty are set to vote Friday on a statement opposing the restructuring.

The bill gets its first hearing Thursday.