It doesn't really matter if Nova were correct or not: he shouldn't have said it. What good does it do other than make him feel self-righteous?
Some unsolicited advice to the young man: Don't trash where you've been. Look forward. No prospective employer wants to hear, "I was great but the place was terrible." It immediately makes one think, "What will he say about our place?"
Hey Gary Nova.. note this source.. a Princeton pedigree.. taught at Rutgers.. is now in New Zealand.. and he still loves Rutgers. You think Rutgers did not have its warts where it came to.. well, everything? We have a name for it.. the Rutgers Screw.. but many people look past that. You should too.