Rutgers News Center

Law schools collaborating with state on juvenile justice improvements

Rutgers School of Law in Camden and Rutgers School of Law in Newark are now part of a team helping New Jersey work to strengthen juvenile indigent legal defense systems.

New Jersey was selected to join seven other states in the Models for Change Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network (JIDAN), part of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s initiative to reform juvenile justice across the country.

The state will receive $100,000 this year with additional funding available for successive years, and joins California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Washington in the network. The grant will allow the Offices of the Public Defender (OPD) and Rutgers’ Camden and Newark law schools to collaborate with juvenile justice stakeholders to examine and to develop models for representing indigent juveniles at all stages of juvenile justice proceedings.

"In New Jersey, public defender representation for juveniles is not provided uniformly,” said Sandra Simkins, director of the Rutgers School of Law-Camden's Children's Justice Clinic. "Moreover, despite the fact that 57% of the children in Juvenile Justice Commission facilities are eligible for special education services, there is no mechanism to help them receive the education they need to succeed when they complete their court processes."

Laura Cohen, a clinical professor in the Urban Legal Clinic at Rutgers-Newark law school said Rutgers’ role is unique. "Never before has a major state university with a geographic presence in all regions of a state committed to working with a statewide juvenile defense system to expand its client-serving capacity,” Cohen said.

Participating in the newtork will enhance the relationship of the clinics and the defenders, she said. “Law students will enjoy unparalleled opportunities to work toward systemic change, while the OPD will expand the legal representation accorded the children it serves," Cohen said.

– Carla Capizzi

'Cinderella' debate team defeats traditional powers to win tournament

The Rutgers University debate team, formed impromptu and self-funded by students Chris Pinho and Kevin Cenac and their former coach at Newark's Science High, won the junior varsity division of the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) Binghamton Debate Tournament hosted by the State University of New York–Binghamton, Nov. 22-23.

Pinho and Cenac beat longer-established teams from Cornell University, Bard College, New York University, West Virginia University, and the University of Rochester. Pinho, a political science major at Rutgers–Newark, was the tournament’s top speaker out of a field of 34; Cenac, a history major at Rutgers–New Brunswick, ranked fifth.

Pinho said the team came about when he experienced “a bit of withdrawal after having been an avid debater since my freshman year at Science High.” He asked his former high school teammate if he would like to compete at the collegiate level.

“I’m glad I agreed,” said Cenac. “Intercollegiate competition is far more exciting and challenging than high school. [The tournament] was quite an adrenaline rush.”

As Binghamton champs, the Rutgers debate team automatically qualifies for the CEDA Nationals hosted by Kansas City Kansas Community College in March. A trip to the Freshmen/Sophomore Nationals at Michigan State in March is also a possibility.

As for expanding the team, Pinho and Cenac welcome any Rutgers student who is inquisitive, a self-starter and enjoys policy research. Debate experience is not required.

Camden neighborhoods combine charm, friendliness and quick commutes

Nearly 100 Rutgers–Camden faculty members are finding big advantages to living in a city whose headlines often overshadow its quaint neighborhoods and hearty camaraderie. What follows are some glimpses into the lives of a few faculty members who happen to be Camden residents.

Six-year Fairview section resident Gail Caputo, associate professor of criminal justice, likes her short commute, the affordability, and especially the friendliness. “My neighbor will feed and take care of my dogs when I work and I’ll take care of hers when she works. Another neighbor is known for baking pies. People know I’m handy, so they come to me to borrow tools. We all look after each other,” Caputo said.

Alan Tarr, a political science professor, also credits the people for his enjoyment of the city. He and his wife became involved with the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, which has led to their development of a new set of friends. The couple lives in The Victor, an apartment complex and landmark building near campus and appreciate their striking view of the Philadelphia skyline and car-free lifestyle.

Jon’a Meyer, associate professor of criminal justice, has rented in Camden for over a decade and recently purchased a home on Penn Street. “When I have visitors, we go to Riversharks games, on walking tours, to the Aquarium or the Battleship, and of course, we walk across the bridge to Philly, which we consider a part of Camden,” Meyer said. “I’ve lived in lots of cities in my life,” she said. “Believe it or not, Camden compares favorably.”

Robyne Turner, associate professor of public policy, recently started her Rutgers–Camden experience by living near campus in the Cooper Grant neighborhood. A revitalization and community development scholar, Turner said deciding to live in Camden was about being close to work, but more so about practicing what she preaches.“If I’m going to teach urban revitalization, I need to live that,” Turner said.

Rutgers–Camden choir brings community together for the holidays

The Rutgers University Choir at Camden performed two concerts on campus in December, raising their voices in song, and boosting community spirit at the same time.

 The choir has 33 members ranging from professors of business and foreign languages, to  undergraduates studying biology, engineering, and homeland security. Its director is Julia Zavadsky, who teaches music at Rutgers–Camden.

 Zavadsky sees the effort brings some cheer to the tough economic times. “Right now, holiday music is so uplifting. We all wake up with the melodies we sing,” she said.

Not only is the choir providing a meaningful social and creative outlet for members, it also is exposing the group to new languages and cultures.

"The choir has helped me to grow musically in learning and performing the works of great composers such as Telemann and Britten," says Carol Kaufman-Scarborough, a professor of marketing at Rutgers–Camden, and a first-time Rutgers Choir member. "Professor Zavadsky builds precision, good listening skills, and talent in the choir members. It's wonderful to watch young singers mature under her direction."

The Rutgers Choir already is thinking of spring: Auditions for the choir’s spring concert will be held during the first week of classes next semester. Zadavsky said “Auditioning is not about knowing how to read music, but about matching pitch and being capable of singing,”

A featured video of the choir rehearsing can be viewed here.

– Cathy K. Donovan