Benefits of college mergers don't always add up - Jarrett Carter, Education Dive

Higher education leaders in Vermont last week revealed plans to consolidate the administration of two of the state's five public college campuses, working to strike a balance between increasing economic efficiency while maintaining institutional identities that are important to the respective areas surrounding Johnson State College and Lyndon State College. Separated by less than 50 miles, the two schools have distinct program strengths in dramatically different areas. The system promotes JSC as a leading institution for training in health and environmental sciences, while Lyndon State offers a liberal arts-leaning academic focus with specialty in education, journalism and business. The consolidation plan is the latest among several states throughout the country in the last several years, made in an effort to adjust costs of operation and attendance to balance with growing state spending obligations in pension and health care benefits for employees. http://www.educationdive.com/news/benefits-of-college-mergers-dont-always-add-up/423561/