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Thousands Unite In the Campaign To Save Douglass College

Nation's Only Public Women's College At A Research University Fights To Survive

The Associate Alumnae of Douglass College (AADC) has mobilized the college's 34,000 alumnae as well as thousands of students, professors, friends and elected officials in the "Save Douglass College" campaign.

The "Save Douglass College" campaign was launched in response to a Rutgers University Task Force on Undergraduate Education Report recommending the elimination of the current undergraduate college system at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The unique individual colleges would be replaced by campuses, effectively eliminating Douglass College, the only remaining public women's college at a public research university.

At www.savedouglasscollege.org, supporters are encouraged to send messages to Rutgers University President Richard McCormick, the Rutgers University Board of Governors and elected officials. The site also includes updates on the campaign's progress, news of upcoming events and an online petition to save Douglass College.

Douglass College alumnae have united to voice their support for saving their alma mater by holding marches, forums, rallies, and sending over 40,000 personal e-mails and letters so far.

Since the campaign's inception, over 50 elected officials have joined forces with the AADC to voice support for Douglass College. They include former Governor of New Jersey Christie Todd Whitman, U.S. Congressman Rush Holt and opposing New Jersey gubernatorial candidates Doug Forrester and Jon Corzine. In addition, several elected officials have introduced New Jersey Senate and Assembly Resolutions in support of Douglass College.

Douglass College has presented a counter-proposal that accomplishes the majority of the Task Force's recommendations while enabling Douglass College to remain a unique entity that delivers a world-class exclusively female educational experience at Rutgers University. Similarities include the creation of standardized admission policies, graduation requirements and student center rules. By implementing these changes, the Task Force could solve the problems it is concerned about without destroying the close-knit college communities Rutgers students want and deserve.

"The issue is not that the task force's recommendations are completely off-base," said Rachel Ingber, executive director of the AADC. "In fact, Douglass College embraces many of the recommendations wholeheartedly. Douglass College should be retained because a public women's college experience is an important option for women in New Jersey and around the country. We can certainly cure the ills set forth in the Undergraduate Task Force proposal without eliminating Douglass College."

About Douglass College

Founded in 1918, Douglass College has a strong sense of tradition, a global vision, and a history of promoting female leadership in fields where women have traditionally been underrepresented.

The AADC, established by the first graduating class in 1922, provides critical and ongoing financial, programming and communications support to Douglass College students and alumnae. The AADC is instrumental in creating the "Douglass Difference." Douglass College, with approximately 3,000 students, is where "Women Learn To Lead."

For more information on the "Save Douglass College" campaign, visit www.savedouglasscollege.org.

     
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