Washington — In a sweeping overhaul of its operations, the University of the District of Columbia has decided to create a two-year community-college division and may be pursuing a merger with Southeastern University, a private four-year college in the district, The Washington Post reported today.

The decision to establish a community-college division, reached by the Board of Trustees yesterday, follows the appointment as president of Allen L. Sessoms last fall. Mr. Sessoms, who became embroiled in a conflict with the faculty senate within a month of his appointment, pledged to shake up the university when he arrived, in September, the Post reported.

The Post cited unnamed sources in reporting that the university hoped to merge with Southeastern.

The trustees also voted yesterday to offer severance packages to faculty members with 30 or more years of service if they resigned before the end of the year. Those faculty members will be offered half of their salary or $45,000, whichever is less, the Post reported. —David Shieh