What steps would need to be taken to establish a Rutgers PAC?

[Eagleton96]

I don't think so. This link gives you an idea of the funds spent, and also the fact that most races aren't competitive (due to gerrymandering, which is a basic ingredient of political corruption).

Our giving would be more about making them sweat, and cultivating primary challengers.



Campaign Funds for Leg Races

 

[bigbirdRU]

agree with the long term thing. it begins with Sweeney, but the long term goal is to make everyone think twice about throwing rutgers under the bus. no more grandstanding, calling for everyone to be fired etc. it's about not being a punching bag. over time hopefully we weed out the opposition and promote better replacements.

 

[Scarlet Pride]

It needs to be long term and include everyone - NB, Camden, Newark. Some of the most loyal and generous alumni are from Newark. Programs and schools are intertwined on the campuses. We need to be one Rutgers or else we open the door very wide to Newark and Camden pols to continue to do what they do. The reason Sweeney is a problem is because he is trying to use his South Jersey cronyism against New Brunswick and lure Newark into doing the same.

The organization should be based on the premise that it will educate voters and candidates on Rutgers issues and mobilize Rutgers alumni/friends to vote/fund in ways that benefit Rutgers.

 

[e5fdny]

This could be the real "Sleeping Giant" as it pertains to Rutgers.

 

[mdk01]

Originally posted by Scarlet Pride:
It needs to be long term and include everyone - NB, Camden, Newark. Some of the most loyal and generous alumni are from Newark. Programs and schools are intertwined on the campuses. We need to be one Rutgers or else we open the door very wide to Newark and Camden pols to continue to do what they do. The reason Sweeney is a problem is because he is trying to use his South Jersey cronyism against New Brunswick and lure Newark into doing the same.

The organization should be based on the premise that it will educate voters and candidates on Rutgers issues and mobilize Rutgers alumni/friends to vote/fund in ways that benefit Rutgers.

For the record, I'm not an alum. I don't represent any of the campuses. But with respect to this suggestion I have to ask, how would the PAC react to a member of the Senate or Legislature introducing a bill requiring 10% of Big10 sports revenue go to Newark and Camden? I can see issues where the different campuses could be united, but also see issues where they would be bitterly divided.

 

[RU4Real]

There's no logical reason why any of the B1G money would go to Newark or Camden, anymore than a percentage of it would go to any of the other state schools. Both Newark and Camden have their own athletic programs in D3 with their own conference affiliations. Neither are in the B1G.

 

[mdk01]

Originally posted by RU4Real:
There's no logical reason why any of the B1G money would go to Newark or Camden, anymore than a percentage of it would go to any of the other state schools. Both Newark and Camden have their own athletic programs in D3 with their own conference affiliations. Neither are in the B1G.

You make my point beautifully. I'm not sure the folks from the other 2 campuses would agree with you.

 

[Scarlet Pride]

Originally posted by mdk01:

Originally posted by Scarlet Pride:
It needs to be long term and include everyone - NB, Camden, Newark. Some of the most loyal and generous alumni are from Newark. Programs and schools are intertwined on the campuses. We need to be one Rutgers or else we open the door very wide to Newark and Camden pols to continue to do what they do. The reason Sweeney is a problem is because he is trying to use his South Jersey cronyism against New Brunswick and lure Newark into doing the same.

The organization should be based on the premise that it will educate voters and candidates on Rutgers issues and mobilize Rutgers alumni/friends to vote/fund in ways that benefit Rutgers.

For the record, I'm not an alum. I don't represent any of the campuses. But with respect to this suggestion I have to ask, how would the PAC react to a member of the Senate or Legislature introducing a bill requiring 10% of Big10 sports revenue go to Newark and Camden? I can see issues where the different campuses could be united, but also see issues where they would be bitterly divided.

I think that has a simple answer. The legislature should not be telling Rutgers how to use B1G money just like they shouldn't tell it or any institution how it should use donations, sponsorship dollars, tuition, etc... The legislature should not meddle in such things. That is an internal Rutgers issue not one for the state to decide or even weigh in on. That doesn't mean alumni can't lobby the university directly or
influence decision makers at the university but keep the state out of
it.

I think that is one of the key things to make this group successful. The group has to be united on the fact that getting the state involved to try to influence spending in favor or their campus, school, program, etc is a bad idea and our stance should be that these are internal matters for Rutgers to determine.

 

[RU4Real]

Originally posted by mdk01:

Originally posted by RU4Real:
There's no logical reason why any of the B1G money would go to Newark or Camden, anymore than a percentage of it would go to any of the other state schools. Both Newark and Camden have their own athletic programs in D3 with their own conference affiliations. Neither are in the B1G.

You make my point beautifully. I'm not sure the folks from the other 2 campuses would agree with you.

But it also makes the point that internal squabbles would be largely out of scope.

 

[NotInRHouse]

I am a lawyer but I never done any work related to PACs or political organizing. I'm willing to donate time and money in any case.

Here's the issue with the other campuses...based on that "open house" or what have you, there's a lot of anti-NB sentiment there, and a lot of people who just want to tar Barchi. For better or worse, we need Barchi right now.

If N and C people are on board they have to agree that this isn't about Barchi or racial issues or chalk at Newark or whatever. It's about preserving the political independence of RU, come what may of the setup and Barchi.

 

[RU4Real]

Originally posted by NotInRHouse:

I am a lawyer but I never done any work related to PACs or political organizing. I'm willing to donate time and money in any case.

Here's the issue with the other campuses...based on that "open house" or what have you, there's a lot of anti-NB sentiment there, and a lot of people who just want to tar Barchi. For better or worse, we need Barchi right now.

If N and C people are on board they have to agree that this isn't about Barchi or racial issues or chalk at Newark or whatever. It's about preserving the political independence of RU, come what may of the setup and Barchi.

I would submit that the people who have the time to show up at town hall meetings and complain about chalk aren't the big issue. I'm certain that there are thousands of Newark and Camden students soldiering away in their programs, working hard and wanting the best for their campuses and the Rutgers brand. Those are really your stakeholders.

Malcontents are precisely that. I watched the live feed of that scene in Newark. I found myself feeling... unsympathetic.

 

[Eagleton96]

This effort doesn't have to make everyone happy. It only needs to have a focus and credibility with enough people to raise some funds.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

Originally posted by e5fdny:

This could be the real "Sleeping Giant" as it pertains to Rutgers.

This

The wife and I will be in.

 

[MidwestKnights]

Originally posted by Scarlet Pride:

Originally posted by mdk01:

Originally posted by Scarlet Pride:
It needs to be long term and include everyone - NB, Camden, Newark. Some of the most loyal and generous alumni are from Newark. Programs and schools are intertwined on the campuses. We need to be one Rutgers or else we open the door very wide to Newark and Camden pols to continue to do what they do. The reason Sweeney is a problem is because he is trying to use his South Jersey cronyism against New Brunswick and lure Newark into doing the same.

The organization should be based on the premise that it will educate voters and candidates on Rutgers issues and mobilize Rutgers alumni/friends to vote/fund in ways that benefit Rutgers.

For the record, I'm not an alum. I don't represent any of the campuses. But with respect to this suggestion I have to ask, how would the PAC react to a member of the Senate or Legislature introducing a bill requiring 10% of Big10 sports revenue go to Newark and Camden? I can see issues where the different campuses could be united, but also see issues where they would be bitterly divided.

I think that has a simple answer. The legislature should not be telling Rutgers how to use B1G money just like they shouldn't tell it or any institution how it should use donations, sponsorship dollars, tuition, etc... The legislature should not meddle in such things. That is an internal Rutgers issue not one for the state to decide or even weigh in on. That doesn't mean alumni can't lobby the university directly or
influence decision makers at the university but keep the state out of
it.

I think that is one of the key things to make this group successful. The group has to be united on the fact that getting the state involved to try to influence spending in favor or their campus, school, program, etc is a bad idea and our stance should be that these are internal matters for Rutgers to determine.

Agreed.

Nice response to HenryRutgers1@gmail.com on the PAC startup so far.

What's being discussed here on the board so far is a bit beyond the scope of where we are at now:

1.) Getting the organizational structure and legal entity done right. Ensuring we have a tight scope and vision that focuses on a.) defending Rutgers and b.) promoting Rutgers to the politicians and public at large.

2.) Getting some groups up and running in the various legislative districts to educate the legislators and start making our presence known.

3.) Getting some level of a communication, information and research infrastructure up and running.

4.) Getting folks far beyond the scope of this board involved.

5.) Starting to think about fundraising and fundraising efforts.

 

[Scarlet4ever]

Originally posted by MidwestKnights:

Originally posted by Scarlet Pride:

Originally posted by mdk01:

Originally posted by Scarlet Pride:
It needs to be long term and include everyone - NB, Camden, Newark. Some of the most loyal and generous alumni are from Newark. Programs and schools are intertwined on the campuses. We need to be one Rutgers or else we open the door very wide to Newark and Camden pols to continue to do what they do. The reason Sweeney is a problem is because he is trying to use his South Jersey cronyism against New Brunswick and lure Newark into doing the same.

The organization should be based on the premise that it will educate voters and candidates on Rutgers issues and mobilize Rutgers alumni/friends to vote/fund in ways that benefit Rutgers.

For the record, I'm not an alum. I don't represent any of the campuses. But with respect to this suggestion I have to ask, how would the PAC react to a member of the Senate or Legislature introducing a bill requiring 10% of Big10 sports revenue go to Newark and Camden? I can see issues where the different campuses could be united, but also see issues where they would be bitterly divided.

I think that has a simple answer. The legislature should not be telling Rutgers how to use B1G money just like they shouldn't tell it or any institution how it should use donations, sponsorship dollars, tuition, etc... The legislature should not meddle in such things. That is an internal Rutgers issue not one for the state to decide or even weigh in on. That doesn't mean alumni can't lobby the university directly or
influence decision makers at the university but keep the state out of
it.

I think that is one of the key things to make this group successful. The group has to be united on the fact that getting the state involved to try to influence spending in favor or their campus, school, program, etc is a bad idea and our stance should be that these are internal matters for Rutgers to determine.

Agreed.

Nice response to HenryRutgers1@gmail.com on the PAC startup so far.

What's being discussed here on the board so far is a bit beyond the scope of where we are at now:

1.) Getting the organizational structure and legal entity done right. Ensuring we have a tight scope and vision that focuses on a.) defending Rutgers and b.) promoting Rutgers to the politicians and public at large.

2.) Getting some groups up and running in the various legislative districts to educate the legislators and start making our presence known.

3.) Getting some level of a communication, information and research infrastructure up and running.

4.) Getting folks far beyond the scope of this board involved.

5.) Starting to think about fundraising and fundraising efforts.

Great points MidwestKnights and ScarletPride.

The scope should be broad so it becomes inclusive not divisive. A PAC will be highly ineffective if there are all sorts of factions within it lobbying or promoting lobbying for opposite policies. Defending the autonomy of RU from political meddling and encouraging better funding of RU in general should be the main goals. The PAC, as an organization, should never question or attempt to influence how RU spends its assets....just as we wouldn't want politicians influencing how RU does business. The main goals are to protect and strengthen Rutgers.

 

[RUJohnny99]

Man, finding competitive races is going to be tough. Here are the 7 senators who voted NO on NJ S2063, the bill to merge UMDNJ & Rutgers, along with the percentage of votes they received in their 2011 race. As you can see, not many of them have to sweat.


Voting NO:
Buono, Barbara (60.1%)
Codey, Richard J (61.8%)
Greenstein, Linda R (53.3%)
Rice, Ronald L (76.6%)
Scutari, Nicholas P (61.6%)
Weinberg, Loretta (69.0%)

And the 10 who didn't vote on the bill.

Not voting:
Cardinale, Gerald (63.5%)
Connors, Christopher J (64.9%)
Doherty, Michael J (61.3%)
Holzapfel, James W (64%)
Kyrillos, Joseph M Jr (60%)
Pennacchio, Joseph (64.3%)
Pou, Nellie (74.7%)
Singer, Robert W (65.9%)
Smith, Bob (64%)
Turner, Shirley K (66.4%)


NJ S2063

 

[RUgrad75]

Bumping up

 

[MADHAT1]

Originally posted by RUJohnny99:
Man, finding competitive races is going to be tough. Here are the 7 senators who voted NO on NJ S2063, the bill to merge UMDNJ & Rutgers, along with the percentage of votes they received in their 2011 race. As you can see, not many of them have to sweat.


Voting NO:
Buono, Barbara (60.1%)
Codey, Richard J (61.8%)
Greenstein, Linda R (53.3%)
Rice, Ronald L (76.6%)
Scutari, Nicholas P (61.6%)
Weinberg, Loretta (69.0%)

And the 10 who didn't vote on the bill.

Not voting:
Cardinale, Gerald (63.5%)
Connors, Christopher J (64.9%)
Doherty, Michael J (61.3%)
Holzapfel, James W (64%)
Kyrillos, Joseph M Jr (60%)
Pennacchio, Joseph (64.3%)
Pou, Nellie (74.7%)
Singer, Robert W (65.9%)
Smith, Bob (64%)
Turner, Shirley K (66.4%)

Not trying to hijack this thread, but feel knowing the reason why someone voted no on a Rutgers issue, needs to be addressed before deeming them anti-Rutgers.
Remember who who were the sponsors of that bill

Norcross, Donald as Primary
Sponsor
Vitale, Joseph F. as Primary
Sponsor
Sweeney, Stephen M. as Primary
Sponsor
Lesniak, Raymond J as Co-Sponsorand none has proven to be good friends of Rutgers

Did Rutgers University support that bill?
I know in June of 2012 When asked by Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) about the
position of the Rutgers Board of Governors on the bill, Candace
Straight said she could not support the bill as
written.
Also Dudley Rivers,VP of the BOT said the
amendments did not address the statement of principles the Rutgers
boards jointly approved . If the autonomy of
Rutgers-Camden is not ensured in the bill, apart from a joint governing
board with Rowan, Rivers said it "will not withstand a legal challenge."
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0619/0032/

 

[pmvon]

Few things.

Mission:
1) promote open, honest and thoughtful debate about higher education in New Jersey and rutgers role in it.
2) defend rutgers from political cronyism, patronage and corruption
3) promote a positive view of rutgers throughout the state and support candidates who hold this view ( something like that)
4) promote a reduction of government control over rutgers and a more equitable representation from the state on RU's governing board

We need the donors who are pissed about TP to get on board with this and contribute. I think the pols early involvement elevated that issue. Getting some big dollar backing will cause a lot of folks to get squeamish. David stern? Bernie Marcus, that guy hates government.? Approach foundations that are for less government involvement or involved with promoting higher Ed etc. I know we need to walk first but getting money takes time.

We should provide some brief facts such as:
1. Rutgers was founded in 1766 and remained a private university for 190 years before becoming the state university of New Jersey
2. The state provides 19.5% of the operating budget of RU. The other 80% is privately funded.
3. For this support rutgers provides reduced tuition for in state residents. Rutgers tuition costs are 10k while the average cost for universities ranked in the top 100 by us news is xx. (Not sure about this)
4. The board of governors is majority appointed by the governor of nj while only providing a small percentage of support.
5. 1956 act

Could we get professor or student help via internships to knock on pols doors, make phone calls etc?

 

[NotInRHouse]

Ronald Rice is only a proponent of RU-N. He is a provincial hack who was just concerned about losing political patronage at the Newark hospital.

It seems to me like Buono and Codey represent a small group of Democrats who are just going to stand against Sweeney overall, RU or not.

 

[RUgrad75]

Needs a bump

 

[RUAlways4ever]

Originally posted by Eagleton96:
I think Rutgers' alumni may finally be growing up, to match our football team. This is great great news.

Indeed, and I must admit that this thread has made my weekend/year!

BIG props to ALL, and git 'er done.
Yes: it IS time!

 

[tm_nj]

Originally posted by Eagleton96:

Originally posted by jcg878:
I will donate to this, but the charge will be very important. It needs to go after anti-Rutgers politicians regardless of party affiliation.

That has to be a bedrock principle of this whole thing. Nothing else matters. Mouth off against RU (in an unfair way that is against the school's interests) and it's automatic: BLAMO.

This^!!! The politicians live off of the fact that they have a legion of zombie followers that will vote for them based on party regardless of what they do for or against the zombies. I don't even like being called an independent because I am being grouped again.

There are 2 parties:
Pro-RU and Anti-RU

 

[pmvon]

Should be a little more strategic and thoughtful than that but that is a big part. I think the long term goal is to reduce government involvement from the current state maybe making penn state as the model in that regard.

Haven't heard from some on here in a while. Are we still doing this?

 

[e5fdny]

In today's NY Daily News there is an article mentioning the power of PACs. The News is the only paper I can't link at work for some reason. You'll have to take a peek yourselves.

The jist of it is how a certain PAC is changing the numbers in the NYC Mayor's race. They just don't like a certain candidate, Christine Quinn, and are spending to take her out. And it seems to be working.

 

[vkjam1is]

Originally posted by e5fdny:

In today's NY Daily News there is an article mentioning the power of PACs. The News is the only paper I can't link at work for some reason. You'll have to take a peek yourselves.

The jist of it is how a certain PAC is changing the numbers in the NYC Mayor's race. They just don't like a certain candidate, Christine Quinn, and are spending to take her out. And it seems to be working.

Power of PACS

 

[MidwestKnights]

Originally posted by pmvon:


Haven't heard from some on here in a while. Are we still doing this?

Yes, day jobs sometimes take precedence.

I have a couple of calls out to people who may know of attorneys/other resources who specialize in PACs/527s.

Draft bylaws probably late next week.

 

[pmvon]

Exxxxxxcellent

 

[scarletrider]

i'd like to thank everyone taking charge to make this happen. would like to pitch in somehow in the future.

 

[MidwestKnights]

Anyone interested just send an email to HenryRutgers1@gmail.com for now.

 

[oliverm]

Not sure which thread has all of the responses from our e-mails/calls but I thought it would be good to provide the response I received just now:

Dear Mr. X,



Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns and opposition to
S-2902/A-4315, bills that would eliminate the Rutgers University Board
of Trustees and transfer all powers to the Rutgers University Board of
Governors. I appreciate your taking the time to share your views on
this issue.



I too have strong concerns about these proposed measures and how they
would negatively affect the independence of Rutgers University and begin
to dismantle the institution as we know it. As a legislator and
alumnus of Rutgers, I believe we must preserve the University's academic
autonomy and keep it free from political interference in order to
maintain its credibility as a respected and important center of learning
in our State and the Nation. As such, I will oppose these bills should
they be posted for a full vote in the Assembly.



Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. If you have
any questions or need assistance with any other matter of concern,
please feel free to email me at: AsmBenson@njleg.org or call (609) 631-0198[/URL].



Sincerely,



Daniel R. Benson

Assemblyman, 14th District

 

[RUAlways4ever]

Originally posted by MidwestKnights:

Originally posted by pmvon:


Haven't heard from some on here in a while. Are we still doing this?

Yes, day jobs sometimes take precedence.

I have a couple of calls out to people who may know of attorneys/other resources who specialize in PACs/527s.

Draft bylaws probably late next week.

LOL...

Word of advice MWKnight: do take "advantage" of Eagleton, who does have XP if not as much time as "way back when". He'll be able to help immensely!

And again: BIG props/kudos for taking this effort on.
I salute you sir! ALL of you...

 

[MidwestKnights]

We have been in touch.

HenryRutgers1@gmail.com

 

[RUAlways4ever]

 

[MidwestKnights]

Originally posted by tm_nj:

Originally posted by Eagleton96:

Originally posted by jcg878:
I will donate to this, but the charge will be very important. It needs to go after anti-Rutgers politicians regardless of party affiliation.

That has to be a bedrock principle of this whole thing. Nothing else matters. Mouth off against RU (in an unfair way that is against the school's interests) and it's automatic: BLAMO.

This^!!! The politicians live off of the fact that they have a legion of zombie followers that will vote for them based on party regardless of what they do for or against the zombies. I don't even like being called an independent because I am being grouped again.

There are 2 parties:
Pro-RU and Anti-RU

That is exactly how this effort is being organized.

 

[MidwestKnights]

Rutgers in Your Legislative District

This is on the Rutgers Public Affairs Website: Rutgers in NJ Legislative Districts

It provides a really nice snapshot of the number of Rutgers affiliates in each of the 40 NJ LDs as well as key Rutgers activities that take place in each district.

For instance in Senator Sweeney's district there are:

4,501 RU Alumi
1,040 Undergrad & Grad Students
200 locally enrolled continuing Ed students
103 Faculty & Staff

That's 5,844 Rutgers affiliates that could be potentially mobilized against legislation that harms Rutgers in the Senate President's home district.

There's also a whole bunch of key facts about Rutgers presence and activities in the district.

 

[Jonas Grumby]

Re: Rutgers in Your Legislative District


This should be the slogan:

"I do not believe that the solution to our problem is simply to elect the right people. The important thing is to establish a political climate of opinion which will make it politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing. Unless it is politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing, the right people will not do the right thing either, or if they try, they will shortly be out of office."

 

[MidwestKnights]

20,000 Letters sent to Gov & Legislators so far

Monday''s State Senate session has been cancelled.

 

[knight_ru]

Midwest-

I sent a link to this entire thread to a number of people who are knee deep in this fight. I believe a member of the BoT emailed you (copying me) on it today. Just wanted to let you know that the word is spreading and there is lots of interest. Keep up the good work and if you need to reach me, you already have my email address.

Knight_ru

This post was edited on 7/4 11:23 AM by knight_ru

 

[BigPlay2342]

Re: Rutgers in Your Legislative District

on (or near) campus voter registration drives (related to the potential PAC or not)?