Ali A. Houshmand, Chris Christie

Rowan University president Dr. Ali A. Houshmand, right, listens as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie addresses a gathering at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013, during ground breaking ceremonies on an addition to its College of Engineering building. The new building will be a three-story, 90,500-square-foot structure. Its projected cost is $71 million, and construction is expected to be completed during the 2016-17 school year. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

(Mel Evans)

— South Jersey college Republicans said last week they were disappointed in the behavior of Rutgers University students who staged a sit-in at the school's New Brunswick campus,

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The Republican students also said they hoped for a peaceful, normal commencement at Rowan this week, when

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Donald Coughlan, of Mantua, is a Clearview Regional school board member and Rutgers student who also serves as chair of the New Jersey College Republicans. Coughlan's role with the organization has taken him from writing a letter to

to appearing on Fox News since the unrest on campus began. He said that discourse at Rutgers has taken on an unhealthy level of hostility — one that he hopes does not catch on at Rowan as graduation draws nearer.

"A silent majority of students don't believe commencement is a time to play politics," Coughlan said. "It's the time to enjoy the end of four years of hard work at college."

He said he hoped students and faculty of Rowan would maintain a sense of decorum for Christie’s appearance, when the governor will accept an honorary Rowan degree and serve as the commencement speaker. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who was last year’s speaker, and Senator Donald Norcross will also accept degrees.

The university has set aside a "free speech" zone near Wackar Stadium, where the ceremony will be held, in anticipation of protesters. Anyone demonstrating against or in favor of the governor's speech will be asked to remain in that area.

"We hope the university welcomes him," Coughlan said. "Just like they welcomed his partner, Stephen Sweeney, who helped support the same reforms."

Coughlan also said the current climate was an intimidating time to openly discuss conservative viewpoints at New Jersey's colleges.

Steve Berner, outgoing president of Rowan's political science club and member of the Rowan Republicans, said he was one of many students disturbed by the events at Rutgers.

"We were very disturbed to hear about Dr. Rice withdrawing," Berner said. "You expect to see college groups speak out against people, but to draw up that degree of hatred for someone to stop them from setting foot on campus?"

Berner said political discourse on his own campus had gotten more intense in recent weeks, pointing to a recent student government meeting as an example.

"One student stood up and sort of called [Christie] a Nazi," said Berner. "The dialogue has gotten poisonous."

Berner, a supporter of Christie, said he did not blame anyone who disagreed with the governor, but that the most vocal students were in the minority.

that while a representative from the college Democrats said he was not happy with Christie as a speaker, protesting the governor's presence on campus during the ceremony would be "childish." The Rowan University Democrats did not respond to requests for comment.

"We found even if you can’t align yourself with the governor or conservative principles, a lot of people are activated by the level of rude behavior," Berner said. He, along with 2,300 other seniors, will walk in commencement on Friday. To his knowledge, no one from his group was planning a counter-protest.

"They’re saying not that they support the governor, but that they support civility. We need to act like adults."

Contact staff writer Andy Polhamus at 856-686-3729 or apolhamus@southjerseymedia.com