The presidents of Rutgers University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) are discussing plans to possibly eliminate the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) as a separate entity and divide its various schools and facilities amongst themselves, according to a news story in the Star Ledger.
The plan was first proposed in 2003.
Although no details have been released, the plan is not to close any of UMDNJ's facilities but to divide its various schools and centers among Rutgers, NJIT, and Rowan University, according to the story.
The current plan calls for NJIT to take over the medical, dental, and nursing schools, while Rutgers would oversee a medical school, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and the school of biomedical sciences. Rowan would take over the school of osteopathic medicine, the Ledger reported.
"We had not been asked to participate in these discussions; therefore, we cannot comment on their substance," according to a spokesman for William Owen, UMDNJ president. "There is no value in any plans to dismantle the university. As an academic medical center, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey brings enormous strength and unique value to the residents of New Jersey."
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