Could the Camden split actually not happen?
That's the way it seems from this article. EVERYONE on the Camden campus - faculty, students, administrators - is revolting against joining Rowan. That raises an interesting question. Is Rutgers regaining its medical school in New Brunswick tied to giving up the Camden campus? GOP legislators obviously do whatever Chris Christie tells them with the rare exception, and South Jersey legislators votes in a block with George Norcross. Throw in an Essex County delegation that is strongly opposed to losing their subsidy from New Brunswick, and the med school merger could be in real trouble if its votes are contingent on Rutgers ceding Camden. The question becomes then whether that is a requirement or not. My guess: yes. Chris Christie owes Norcross too much for getting almost his entire agenda passed during the past two years (in a state where Democrats dominate on paper), and the other big Democratic boss, Joe DiVincenzo of Essex, is against the merger. So essentially, the Camden campus is going to be devastated if they can't figure out a compromise. Does the Rowan name have to stay in place? Can they just merge Rowan into Rutgers-Camden, and just give Norcross free reign over the hospital? Because if not, and a deal means devastating Rutgers-Camden...then the Rutgers Board of Governors basically has no choice but to go along with that. Better to have one great school than two under the yoke of low expectations. Regaining the medical school in New Brunswick is such an overwhelming positive that it negates all other factors. Update: and it looks like there will be hearings.

