Rutgers University - "Pride in Our Alumni:" A Letter from RUAA Board Chair Christine Tiritilli to all alumni

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"Pride in Our Alumni:" A Letter from RUAA Board Chair Christine Tiritilli to all Alumni

Dear Rutgers graduate:

Over the last two months, as debate on the future of Rutgers and higher education in New Jersey has continued throughout the state, Rutgers alumni have shown their commitment and love for alma mater in unprecedented ways. On behalf of your alma mater and the Rutgers University Alumni Association, I say “Thank You.”

We all share enormous pride in you and your efforts. Together we have found ways to communicate, inform, and discuss the proposed merger of Rutgers–Camden into Rowan University, the integration of UMDNJ’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School into Rutgers, and the impact of the New Jersey Health Sciences University on Rutgers–Newark.

Our Rutgers–Camden alumni have galvanized in support of the future of that campus and these efforts have changed the conversation about the proposed merger with Rowan University. Our alumni have set an example for how graduates can be effective advocates for their alma maters, and have shown how important the collective alumni voice is to a university community. Our voices are being heard. Our advocacy is being felt. Our work is producing results. The RUAA is proud to be the conduit for this dialogue and to facilitate the calls to action necessary to this effort.

We have participated with thousands of you as you have rallied in a true grass roots effort to ensure that Rutgers–Camden remains a part of Rutgers University. We have shared information with those of you who are energized about the reintegration of a medical school into Rutgers University. Our message that Rutgers–Camden is important to Rutgers University in fulfilling its statewide mission to provide access and opportunity to a Rutgers education has been heard. Our message that the integration of the RWJ Medical School will continue to raise the profile of Rutgers University and the value of a Rutgers degree has been heard. Rutgers deserves the Medical School and it deserves to have the Rutgers–Camden campus to continue to provide much needed educational opportunities to the citizens of the City of Camden and southern New Jersey.

When I wrote to you in early February with the news that a series of recommendations had been issued proposing a dramatic restructuring of higher education in New Jersey, we were still absorbing the implications of the recommendations. Since that time, we have welcomed all of your viewpoints, and have earnestly represented them to the university leadership. As our discussions with members of the university administration continue, we encourage all of you to continue your active and vocal role in the conversation about the future of higher education – and Rutgers – in the state of New Jersey. The RUAA will continue to serve as your conduit to the administration and as your source of information regarding what you can do to make your voice heard.

It is more important than ever for you to be a part of this conversation. We welcome your thoughts, opinions and feedback, and we encourage you to continue your advocacy. Below you will find a list of contacts that may be helpful. You may reach us directly via phone at 848-932-7490 or via email at RUalumni@winants.rutgers.edu.

In Rutgers spirit,
Christine M. Tiritilli DC’92
Chair
Rutgers University Alumni Association

Contact and Information List
Rutgers University Medical Merger Information Page
http://medicaleducation.rutgers.edu

Rutgers-Camden/Rowan University Merger Information Page
http://www.camden.rutgers.edu/node/4121

Rutgers Board of Governors
c/o Ralph Izzo, Chair 
Email: BoardofGovernors@oldqueens.rutgers.edu

Rutgers Board of Trustees
c/o Kenneth M. Schmidt, Chair
Email: BoardofTrustees@oldqueens.rutgers.edu

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
609-292-6000
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/

Find your Local Legislator
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/SelectRep.asp

Members of the New Jersey Senate and House Higher Education Committees:
http://crab.rutgers.edu/~johnwall/legislators.html

Sign the petition against the Merger of Rutgers–Camden and Rowan University
http://www.r2rmerge.com/