By John Ostapkovich

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) — As the controversial proposal to merge Rutgers University’s Camden campus into Rowan University plays out, a particular type of potential student is in short supply there.

Although Gov. Christie has been pushing hard for the merger (see related story), the public has been largely against the idea (related stories), and so too that portion of the public that might go to Rutgers Law School in Camden.

Dean Rayman Solomon says law school applications have been down nationally due to what he considers overblown worries about the value of a law degree, but that’s not all.

“That was for starters.  And then when the news of the potential merger, it was right around when many applications come in, and our volume dropped precipitously,” he tells KYW Newsradio.

Solomon didn’t have exact numbers at his fingertips.  But asked how he’d attract a potential law student on the fence, he says he expects clarity on the merger relatively soon.  If you start this year, he adds, your law degree will say “Rutgers,” and the smaller class will mean more personal attention for each student.