(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic) released the following statement Friday after Rutgers University Athletic Director Tim Pernetti’s resignation from his job amid questions surrounding the behavior and firing of basketball coach Mike Rice:
“This is a step in the right direction for our state university.
“It’s unfortunate that it came to this, but the poor judgment used by Mr. Pernetti would have made it very difficult for him to ever regain the trust of the New Jersey taxpayers who have paid his generous salary and invested heavily in this athletic program.
“Questions still remain.
“President Barchi owes New Jersey an explanation for his decision-making, and the university needs to become more transparent, most notably by publicly releasing the 50-page report submitted by its outside investigator.
“New Jersey wants a Rutgers in which it can be proud, but that cannot happen until the university answers all questions on how this situation was handled.”