Bravo to George Zoffinger for speaking the truth about what ails Rutgers' decision-making about football.
The University has no realistic plan for paying off the huge debts that will be incurred in the $100+ million stadium expansion and, even worse, step-by-step, the University leadership has made its decisions in darkened rooms far removed from the public eyesight. From secret payments to football head coach Greg Schiano from Nelligan Sports Marketing - which of course also employed Rutgers Athletic Director Robert Mulcahy's son as a vice president - through the determination to keep going forward with the extravagant stadium expansion despite editorial opposition by The New York Times and just about every newspaper in New Jersey, Rutgers' leadership has decided its knows best and does not need or want public input or oversight.
The tragic news for today's Rutgers students - faced with ever higher tuition and fees - is that more and more alumni are deciding that if the University has no interest in their input, they have no interest in giving to the University. Every day, I get e-mails from alumni who are simply disgusted with what many are now calling "the Trentonization of Rutgers," meaning a lack of transparency coupled with a pork barrel, "what's in it for me" mindset. Who wants to give to bring about more of that, particularly at a time of continuing erosion of academic standards (Look at the drop of five places in the most recent U.S. News & World Reports rankings)?
Rutgers needs new leadership on the Board of Governors and in Old Queens. Nothing short of large-scale change at the very highest levels will bring about renewed alumni confident in the direction Rutgers is taking.
Robert McGarvey is a Rutgers College Class of 1970 alumnus. He currently resides in Jersey City.
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