Education Policy, Business and Technology

Vermont pushes to combine public colleges' administrations

Inside Higher Ed: The Vermont State Colleges’ move to fold two of the state’s northern colleges into one institution reflects increasing interest in mergers throughout higher education, particularly as many state systems continue to struggle with budget crunches and declines in enrollment.

It also shines a light on the difficult issues raised by combining institutions. Faculty members at the affected institutions worry about their campuses’ identities. Administrators must walk a difficult line between using mergers to drive cost savings and repositioning colleges to recruit students in the future. They also must find ways to persuade faculty members to buy in and win support from communities and politicians -- or risk having the plans derailed.

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