New Brunswick, NJ - In the wake of the ongoing scandal at Rutgers University and Governor Christie’s declaration that he wouldn't "micromanage every hire" at the school, State Senator and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono released the following statement:
“As the situation at Rutgers University continues to unfold, the lack of leadership on the part of Governor Christie is simply astounding. He has failed time and time again to address the clear problems present in President Barchi's office.
“The Governor appears to be picking and choosing where and when he has authority at Rutgers, exhibiting his unique brand of selective leadership, a Christie hallmark the past few years. As the state's chief executive, he does have the authority to step in and demand answers. Just months ago, he was more than eager to step into the fray when the issue was Mike Rice and Tim Pernetti.
“Rutgers is a state taxpayer funded institution and it’s absurd for the governor to claim that he has no authority, especially since he is in the middle of spearheading a higher education merger that will impact nearly every resident in this state.
“Shirking responsibility will not be an acceptable position for me when I am governor, but if Chris Christie says he has no place to weigh in on what is going on at Rutgers, then it is time for the Legislature to hold Committee hearings and call people like President Barchi down to Trenton. New Jersey taxpayers deserve answers.
“Between President Barchi's general lack of clarity about how the higher education merger would be paid for and the ongoing reality show we have come to know as the vetting process at the Rutgers athletic department, this is all simply unacceptable. With the president of Rutgers unable to provide even a hint of leadership and the governor refusing to acknowledge that a New Jersey state university, funded with taxpayer dollars, is somehow not in his purview, the lack of leadership from everyone involved is staggering.
“As an alumnus, and as a New Jersey taxpayer, I have lost all confidence in President Barchi's ability to effectively guide our state university and I think the people of New Jersey deserve some answers. Governor Christie's brand of selective leadership will not suffice in this situation, so I am asking the legislature to convene committee hearings to begin sifting through the multiple issues impacting this jewel of higher education before we continue to fall even further off course."
