May 17, 2002

We Were Wrong; Try Partnerships, Not Mergers

By JAMES MARTIN and JAMES E. SAMELS

Throughout the recent economic downturn, people both within and outside higher education have predicted that more mergers between institutions will occur. The Chronicle, in fact, published a cover story (March 23, 2001) projecting an acceleration in mergers across the nation.

But while such prognostications are understandable, they are misguided. Certainly, many small colleges and a significant number of larger universities will talk the talk of merger, but few will walk the walk.