From Deseret News archives:
CEU-USU merger talks are scrapped for now
"We are not recommending a merger at this time, but are calling for enhanced collaboration and conversation between the two entities involved here," Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner William Sederburg told lawmakers during an Executive Appropriations Committee meeting Tuesday.
The study, used to identify the issues surrounding a possible merger, determined areas of concern according to 58 people who were interviewed — 48 in Price and 10 in Logan. Four teams were asked to study a merger's effect on CEU's mission and governance, finances, faculty and employees, and students and available programming.
"We found there was a great deal of speculation about the issues that were identified," said Gary Carlston, a USU professor, a study consultant. He said that although the study groups tried their hardest to find answers, not all the issues identified were even discussed.
Talks were put on hold and ultimately, the presidents of the two schools decided it would be best to abandon the possibility for now, Carlston said.
"The idea of a community college — especially in a small community like CEU is in — is very, very important to people," he said. "They wanted answers."
The idea of a merger arose at the end of the 2008 session, when Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, sponsored a bill uniting the efforts of the two institutions in Price. He said Tuesday that he did so because enrollment was down at CEU and increasing ties to a research institution — one that gets millions in research dollars — might boost the Price community.
"I want to make sure CEU is a viable institution for the next 70 years as it has been for the last 70 years," Dmitrich said, adding that he had in mind the best interests of the students when he pitched the idea in March.
USU will continue the association it currently has with CEU, offering various courses and degrees through the Price institution, but a merger is off the table until further discussion occurs.
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com
