A SL report this morning says that the UMDNJ/Rowan mergers will be pushed back to July 2013. This is probably a combination of many factors - opposition to the Rowan plan, Newark whining about University Hospital, and RU's lawsuit threats suddenly becoming very real by hiring the likes of Neal Katyal. The report also says that, surprise surprise, the universities involved will have to pay for the mergers. The current proposal is both nonsensical and unconstitutional, so it's good to see a delay in that sense. However, the merger between Rutgers and UMDNJ in New Brunswick and Piscataway remains a vital, urgent necessity for recharging New Jersey's economy. We cannot allow that part of the process to be delayed. We just need to stop the parts of the plan that don't make sense (Norcross stealing Camden, giving Rutgers the corrupt part of UMDNJ, Newark demanding unfair payoffs) to be stopped cold. Just do the part of the plan that everyone wants to happen. Update: a corrupt backroom deal has been negotiated with the Newark delegation. The idea that there are going to be Essex County seats on the Rutgers board, or that Rutgers may be forced to take over University Hospital are mortifying. These legislators are negotiating on behalf of Rutgers when they do not have that authority! Only the university BoG does. Rutgers cannot stand idly by while these corrupt politicians try to take over our university. It's time to sue and tank this legislation once and for all. These amendments simply are not acceptable under any standard.