Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck and Assemblyman Richard Merkt

BECK AND MERKT REQUEST PUBLIC HEARING
ON UMDNJ REFORMS
WANT REASSURANCE THAT TAX DOLLARS WILL NOT BE WASTED

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck and Assemblyman Richard Merkt today expressed their frustration with the lack of action by the Assembly Higher Education Committee on the growing University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) scandal. The legislators noted that the Republican members of the committee have already sent two written requests to Chairman Patrick Diegnan calling for a public hearing on the matter.
May 11, 2006

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck/732-772-1571
Assemblyman Richard Merkt/973-895-9100
Assembly Republican office/609-292-5339

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck and Assemblyman Richard Merkt today expressed their frustration with the lack of action by the Assembly Higher Education Committee on the growing University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) scandal. The legislators noted that the Republican members of the committee have already sent two written requests to Chairman Patrick Diegnan calling for a public hearing on the matter.

"Everyday, I open up the newspaper only to read the disturbing details of yet another emerging scandal at UMDNJ," said Beck, Monmouth and Mercer. "The sense of entitlement and lack of integrity demonstrated by many officials at UMDNJ is appalling. The university's questionable financial and patronage practices, as well as their accreditation problems require a thorough examination."

Beck and Merkt said the residents of New Jersey need reassurance that the ethical issues at UMDNJ are being adequately addressed.

"It is indeed the responsibility of the Assembly Higher Education Committee to ensure UMDNJ is taking the proper steps to reform their scandal-ridden institution," Beck added. "The committee is a perfect forum to examine these types of public policy issues. Why do we have an Assembly Higher Education Committee if we aren’t going to use it to address these types of issues?"

"The lack of legislative action on UMDNJ is astonishing," said Merkt, R-Morris. "We have made several attempts to bring this matter before the committee and have been rebuked."

The legislators said the Assembly Higher Education Committee should hold a hearing on UMDNJ before the state budget is passed in June.

"New Jersey makes a tremendous financial investment in our universities and colleges and it is our right to ask UMDNJ officials to come before this body and guarantee the university is moving forward on essential reform measures," Merkt said. "New Jersey is currently experiencing a budget crisis, and it is appropriate to examine how we spend every penny. Before we allocate any more tax dollars to UMDNJ, a university whose accreditation is being challenged, the public has a right to know what changes are underway."

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