The Rutgers union representing more than 6,000 full-time faculty members, graduate workers, and others is calling for Rutgers Board of Governors member William Tambussi to resign or be removed from the Board after Tambussi was indicted on racketeering charges alongside powerful South Jersey Democratic Party boss George Norcross, his politically connected attorney brother Phillip Norcross, and three others.
According to news reports, the six are accused of unlawfully obtaining property and property rights on the waterfront in Camden, N.J.—where Rutgers has a campus—receiving millions of dollars in tax credits for those properties, and controlling government officials in Camden, one of the poorest cities in the country.
“Tambussi has to go,” said Todd Wolfson, president of Rutgers AAUP-AFT. “How can the Board of Governors claim to be legitimate in overseeing the university’s mission—including serving the people of Camden and New Jersey—when the person who’s supposed to represent Camden on the board stands accused of enriching himself at the expense of the city and its campus?”
Earlier this year, Rutgers AAUP-AFT filed a lawsuit to get Tambussi and another Rutgers governor, Heather Taylor, disqualified because neither lives in the county—Camden for Tambussi, Middlesex for Taylor—that their appointment by the governor requires them to.
“This latest accusation against Tambussi underlines our reasons for filing suit,” Wolfson said. “Rutgers University, led by its Board of Governors, has routinely disregarded any need to be transparent and accountable, as required by state law. And now Tambussi has been indicted for preying on the poor, majority–people-of-color city that he’s supposed to represent on the Board. The very first step in repairing the university’s inequitable and disrespectful relationship with Camden is to get rid of Tambussi.”
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The Rutgers University community is currently facing a challenging situation as one of its Board of Governors members has been indicted on criminal charges. The Rutgers Union, a collective bargaining unit representing faculty and staff at the university, has taken a strong stance on the matter and is urging the indicted member to step down from their position.
The member in question, whose identity has not been disclosed, is facing serious legal allegations that have raised concerns among the Rutgers community. The Rutgers Union believes that it is in the best interest of the university and its stakeholders for the indicted member to resign from their position on the Board of Governors.
In a statement released by the Rutgers Union, they emphasized the importance of upholding ethical standards and maintaining the integrity of the university’s governing body. The union expressed their commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability within the Rutgers community, and they believe that the indicted member’s continued presence on the board could undermine these principles.
The Rutgers Union’s call for the indicted member to step down has garnered support from various faculty members, staff, and students at the university. Many believe that it is crucial for the board to uphold its reputation and credibility by taking swift and decisive action in response to the allegations against one of its members.
It remains to be seen how the indicted board member will respond to the Rutgers Union’s request for resignation. However, it is clear that the university community is united in its commitment to upholding ethical standards and promoting a culture of accountability within its governance structures.
As this situation continues to unfold, it is important for all stakeholders at Rutgers University to remain vigilant and engaged in ensuring that the university’s leadership reflects the values and principles that are central to its mission of academic excellence and integrity. The Rutgers Union’s call for the indicted board member to step down is a significant step towards achieving this goal.