Assemblywoman Dunn joins call for legislative hearings on Rutgers University’s negotiations with pro-Palestine protesters

NEW JERSEY – Following reports Rutgers University administrators acquiesced to pro-Palestine protestors’ demands, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn joined the call for legislative hearings on the negotiations and noted the opportunity to address the Rutgers president on Thursday.

“When public funds are used to negotiate with protestors disrupting operations at our state university, the taxpayer-salaried administrators who facilitated these discussions must be held accountable,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “Conceding to the demands of the pro-Palestine groups without input is deeply concerning. Legislators have an obligation to protect the integrity of a public institution and the safety and rights of all students. I support holding public legislative hearings so that all sides have their say.”

The assemblywoman, a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, also noted the upcoming higher education budget hearing on Thursday:

“I look forward to the opportunity to address President Jonathan Holloway directly when he comes before the budget committee. Considering the incredible state funding Rutgers receives, he is responsible for restoring our confidence in his leadership by answering the tough questions,” she said.

In an attempt to sever any relationship between Israel and Rutgers, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Endowment Justice Collective demanded administrators meet several requests before they disbanded their encampment in New Brunswick on Thursday.

According to news reports, administrators conceded to eight of the 10 demands to get the protestors to move off campus.