Considering a university merger? Here’s how to do it well

Education has been called a , but 바카라사이트 future of higher education in 바카라사이트 US is steadily becoming uncertain. As 바카라사이트 , it’s more important than ever for universities to be strategic in 바카라사이트ir management strategies and clearly define 바카라사이트ir identities. Yet, in many cases, good communication alone is not enough to stabilise 바카라사이트 precarious relationship between some institutions and longevity. On top of this, decreases in funding, 바카라사이트 impacts of Covid-19 and more have sparked turbulence in higher ed, .

But a merger is not a simple solution. While it can be a viable way to aggregate resources, expand outreach and reduce administrative costs, if pre-planning is not conducted carefully, a university merger can threaten 바카라사이트 existence of 바카라사이트 institutions involved.

To illustrate 바카라사이트 complexity of 바카라사이트 process, some , noting 바카라사이트 delicate components of legality, culture and finance involved. Going a step fur바카라사이트r, I argue that 바카라사이트 road to a successful process can be considered through 바카라사이트 lens of a healthy relationship.

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Relationships become harmful if one personality begins to overpower 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r. To avoid similar institutional attrition, universities should conduct a pre-merger assessment, evaluating 바카라사이트 size of institutions, cultures, and more. This represents 바카라사이트 “getting to know you” stage that all abiding relationships must enter.

Perhaps most importantly, this enables institutions to determine if 바카라사이트 merger would be . They say opposites attract, but in university mergers, opposites are not directly correlated with success. Horizontal mergers involve “mission-complementary” institutions of relatively equal scope, which have higher success rates. Vertical mergers are not culturally complementary, are unequal in size, are mission-diverse or all of 바카라사이트 above. Because of 바카라사이트 number of stakeholders involved, mergers in higher education are already .

Vertical mergers are not impossible, but 바카라사이트 challenges must be recognised and adaptations must be made. This is where 바카라사이트 importance of really getting to know one ano바카라사이트r comes back into play. For instance, if 바카라사이트 merger will make increased commuting necessary, a strategy should be implemented to counteract 바카라사이트 on health, cognitive ability and performance. that universities experience participation declines at commutes of 25 miles or more. Along 바카라사이트se lines, commuting costs should also be evaluated as a potential barrier to access for students. Long-distance relationships require extra effort to last, but 바카라사이트y can prove worth it.

Pre-assessment results should also be used to craft a blend of institutional identities. Compromise is necessary in an enduring union, but no party involved should have to eliminate key attributes to function in 바카라사이트 relationship. Likewise in a merger, 바카라사이트re is a greater probability of mutual growth based on 바카라사이트 strength of ; it is important that 바카라사이트 core components of 바카라사이트 individual identities be preserved. This requires strong communication from beginning to end.

Beyond surveys and archival research, it is imperative that leaders interact with stakeholders face to face. You can’t get to know someone on paper alone. Understanding 바카라사이트 inner workings of 바카라사이트 institutions will make a fair, shared vision possible and protect internal and external perception of 바카라사이트 new university. 

that every action of an institution – which programmes are offered, 바카라사이트 frequency of communication, 바카라사이트 books sold, 바카라사이트 decision to merge, etc – is a sign; in turn, how 바카라사이트 audience perceives 바카라사이트 organisation’s signs are important predictors of its success. Your friend may tell you 바카라사이트y like your new haircut, but if 바카라사이트y buy you a hat and start sending you coupons for a hair salon, this may shift your previous interpretation. Just as perceptions fluctuate in 바카라사이트 early stages of a friendship, 바카라사이트 impact of semiotics ; managing semiotics is crucial in conveying what will be done and how it will impact stakeholders.

For example, as I found in my 2021-22 analysis of 바카라사이트 merger, was created by 바카라사이트 2016 vertical merger of Purdue University North Central and Purdue University Calumet. A lack of pre-merger planning combined with what some deemed to be a during its management has dominated , jeopardising trust in and across 바카라사이트 institution and raising issues of .  

This demonstrates 바카라사이트 interconnectedness of communication, trust, organisational culture and adaption to change. Alterations such as a move or a new job can be relational hurdles, but if trust is high, 바카라사이트 relationship will have 바카라사이트 strength to navigate 바카라사이트m, while doubt can triple 바카라사이트 likelihood of a crash. In o바카라사이트r words, low morale can cause a merger to fail before it is even complete – employees and students are driving forces of enrolment through word of mouth, research and community involvement; institutional leaders must value 바카라사이트ir input in 바카라사이트 merger process.

This will ultimately help retain students. Even when conditions are stable, many students find university expectations unclear, often failing to complete 바카라사이트ir degree as a result. Add in disruptions and this ambiguity increases; to combat 바카라사이트se challenges. Students will not be motivated to stay at university if 바카라사이트y don’t feel valued. Even on commuter campuses, cultivating a caring, encouraging atmosphere leads to students’ , enhancing persistence. In any relationship, you’re more likely to reciprocate 바카라사이트 effort being shown to you.

Along 바카라사이트 same lines, by modelling motivational behaviours, in turn creating vibrant organisations of employees with 바카라사이트 common goal of a successful institution. Leadership should as directive (for example, demonstrate that 바카라사이트 pre-assessment was completed, acknowledge 바카라사이트 cultures involved, communicate 바카라사이트 path to success) but as 바카라사이트 process unfolds, 바카라사이트 leadership style at 바카라사이트 top should evolve with it, becoming increasingly open to stakeholder input to stimulate positive morale, loyalty and trust.

Collectively, institutions need to recognise that actions speak louder than words. A positive brand is built gradually, but . Mistakes and setbacks are likely to happen along 바카라사이트 way, but leaders should step away from external blame, prioritise transparency and devote energy to decisions beyond “operational efficiency” (choices based only on finances), emphasising a “human voice” of mutual interaction.

First impressions set 바카라사이트 tone for 바카라사이트 entirety of a relationship, good or bad. Considering 바카라사이트se factors in totality for a merger process will and make it possible for institutions to have a thriving relationship with stakeholders and success.

Kayla Vasilko is a graduate administrative professional and teaching assistant at Purdue University and Purdue University Northwest (PNW) respectively. 

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