Rutgers board plans to fight governance change

Rutgers University’s board of trustees is pledging to fight a bill in the Legislature that would give politicians greater say on who makes decisions about the university.

At an emergency meeting Friday, trustees president Dorothy Cantor urged members to call lawmakers to oppose the bill, which she called a “power grab” by politicians.

She also said legal action is possible if it is adopted.

The bill proposed by state Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto would expand the Board of Governors to 19 members from 15.

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The governor, who now appoints eight members, would have 10 appointments. The Senate president and Assembly speaker could each also recommend one members.

The larger but less powerful trustees board would continue to appoint seven members.

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