Rutgers Trustees Favor Plan to Merge 4 Schools: The Task Force’s Idea Would, in Part, Eliminate Douglass College, One of the Nation’s Only Colleges for Women

By Toni Callas, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Dec. 17–The Rutgers University Board of Trustees has approved a plan that would consolidate four schools, essentially eliminating Douglass College, one of the nation’s only public colleges for women.

The board, which advises the president, voted for the changes Thursday. The final decision on the plan, recommended by a task force over the summer, will be made by the board of governors. University president Richard McCormick is expected to make his recommendations to the governors in February.

The trustees’ endorsement “gives the president a guidepost and helps condition the debate,” said Robert A. Laudicina, the board chairman. “We endorse the direction of integrating several colleges into one entity. It just makes sense and, in my opinion, if done right, the image of the university will be enhanced.”

The task force called for combining Rutgers College, Douglass, University College and Livingston College into a new Rutgers College of Arts and Sciences. The colleges would be considered residential campuses, and Douglass, with nearly 3,000 students, would keep its all-female dorms.

The goal is to do away with the confusing array of graduation, admission, disciplinary standards and curriculums from college to college. The plan would also establish core educational requirements for undergraduates, create an campuswide honor program, get faculty more involved with students, and provide all students with equal access to academic programs.

While students, faculty and alumni at Rutgers College, University College and Livingston College have been virtually silent about the changes, the same groups at Douglass have made their opposition clear.

The Alumnae of Douglass College, a group leading the protest, has submitted an alternative plan to the task force’s recommendations. The group also has set up a Web site, savedouglasscollege.com, held rallies and marches, and received endorsements from politicians, including Gov.-elect Jon Corzine and former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, who have spoken on its behalf.

A representative of the group could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Contact staff writer Toni Callas at 856-779-3912 or tcallas@phillynews.com.

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