N.J. Governor Wants to Merge Thomas Edison Into Rutgers

[barcotta]

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You realize that if the merger happens, you may not have a degree? It's entirely possible that the merger could result in the closing of TESC.

Also, (and my apologies to margotsara this is a general comment- not directed to him/her) but I'm sick of everyone complaining about TESC's lack of prestige. It is what it is. Do your homework and know what you are buying. If you want a Rutger's degree, then you need to go about the business of getting it- not by some back door deception as the fall out of a merger.
No one is attending TESC for the "prestige" of it! They are attending for the test-out policy, lack of residency, cost, and or transfer policy- and in those categories, TESC IS SUPERIOR to other state colleges.

Lastly, if you are ashamed of where you are going to school, that's a personal problem- not a defect in the TESC educational model.

Alright, well I don’t think this is going to get ugly at all, but I’m puzzled by your strong reaction to the possibility of a Rutger’s/TESC merger. So—before offering my opinion, I thought I would go back and take a look at some of the opinions to which you may be reacting. Granted, some of them may not be in this thread—but I assume that many or most were. So, let’s see what we find:

Creationstory wrote:

holy Sh*t... is this good for us or bad for us who picked up an AS or BS from Thomas Edison?
the rutgers name is pretty strong!

OK—so there’s a question and an acknowledgement that the Rutgers name is strong. Nothing too offensive there.

Then, Taylor adds:

I think that would be more than likely good news, especially for the current students. Depending on how far along you are with your requirements you may be able to attain a Rutgers degree. Although, I'm sure for future students admissions will probably become stringent. Rutgers has a strong reputation nationwide but especially here in the northeast. My sister and a lot of her friends graduated from there, they're all nerds and proud of it . Also, I think for TESC alumni it would sound pretty good telling people you graduated from a school that merged with Rutgers.

So, Taylor indicates that it would “sound good” to tell people that you graduated from a school that merged with Rutgers. Seems to be an inoffensive observation with no disrespect or embarrassment indicated towards TESC, and no deception either—at least that’s my take.

Then, a few people indicated that they were considering enrolling but have now taken that step—ostensibly because they would like to graduate from what may become Rutgers. Are these the “back door deception” people?

Then, Rhashad writes:

This is possibly GREAT news, not many people know of TESC, but Rutgers? WOW. maybe I will go with TESC for Grad school. Please keep us updated.

Rhashad seems excited—however, I think it would be difficult to establish that Rhashad is “embarrassed” by TESC—since it seems to be a viable option for grad school.

Then, Taylor comes back with (in part):

I wonder if TESC alumni will be grandfathered in somehow. I wouldn't mind shelling out another $250 for a Rutgers degree. Not that I'm not proud of my TESC degree but the name change would be a huge upgrade.

Since Taylor uses the word “proud” with regard to a TESC degree, I don’t sense any “embarrassment” there—but Taylor indicates that a name change to Rutgers would be an upgrade. Hmmm, maybe some of that “back door deception” thinking at work here????

I, then, chimed in and indicated that if a merger were to happen and I could obtain a Rutgers degree using the TESC model, I would consider doing so. So—perhaps it was I to whom you were responding—althought I certainly didn’t do any complaining about TESC’s “prestige” or lack thereof.

Then, Rhashad contemplates the following:

I'm really looking forward to this conversation:

"Thomas Edison College? . . . . never heard of it."

"Oh, yea, you probably know it by Rutgers now" . . . .

Might be a huge problem for newer students as far as testing and alternative credits, but great news to those graduating soon.

So it appears that Rhashad would like to be able to tell people that TESC became Rutgers. Offensive???

Then Taylor adds:

for current students who can graduate in 2010 I think this will be good news. And for those who can't I hope TESC can grandfather in their current policies for them.

Perhaps this is the “back door deception” to which you were referring. Seems like a relatively innocent off-handed thought, but, perhaps, it does reveal some deeper character flaw…I suppose that’s possible…

Then JackZack 87 chimes in with:

Crazy! This might mean I'll graduate with a BS from - Rutgers!? wow. All speculation and only a possibility right now, but I'd be glad for that. Nothing against TESC: love it. Just would be nice to mention my Alma Mater and have some acknowledgment.

I hope it doesn't happen, because TESC is a dream for so many, like myself, who were able to do affordable, real-life competitive college and not pay for it like a rushing nosebleed. Go TESC.

He certainly does not appear to be embarrassed. Again, he appears to be acknowledging that it “would be nice.” He doesn’t appear to be someone who should be chided with “If you want a Rutger's degree, then you need to go about the business of getting it” – but perhaps your comments were not directed at him.

There are 12 pages of comments here—so I’ll stop now, but, others talk about it being an “added bonus” or say “that would be alright” while still others contemplate considering schools other than TESC due to the merger. In fact, as the thread continues, it appears that the majority of people who are commenting are lamenting the merger—not looking forward to a deceptive degree at all.

Then there is considerable debate about the Rutgers name—with several pointing out that they never heard of it, only recently heard of it—or were very familiar with it but it was nothing to write home about. Maybe it was Taylor’s comment that the Rutgers name would be “like ordering a plain vanilla cone and the server adds some rainbow sprinkles for free ” that really got your goat? Overall, there appears to be more people worried about the merger than there are those hoping to take advantage of some sort of back door deception.

So my question to you is, what exactly made you “sick of everyone complaining about TESC's lack of prestige?”