Public College and University Consolidations and the Implications for Equity: Lessons from Georgia, Texas, and Wisconsin. Research Report

Across American higher education, institutional consolidations are on the rise. In particular, multiple state systems have proposed or completed mergers of regional universities and/or community colleges with the stated goal of increasing efficiency. Despite the high-profile nature of some recent successful and failed consolidations, there is remarkably little in-depth analysis of their conditions, dynamics, and consequences--especially their impact on equitable access to and success in higher education. To begin to fill this gap, the authors have conducted in-depth investigations of three recent examples of state-system-led institutional consolidation efforts: in Georgia, Wisconsin, and Texas. In separately presented case studies, the authors discuss the origins, motivations, initiation, implementation, and outcomes of these completed consolidation efforts. In each case, in addition to evaluating whether the stated goals were accomplished, the authors focus particular attention on the implications of the consolidation process and outcomes for racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic equity. While these findings may be of interest to various audiences, they are most relevant for system leaders and state policymakers who may be considering institutional consolidation in their own jurisdictions. The report concludes with an appendix describing 22 consolidation attempts since 2007 that were associated with a public system of higher education in the US. [For "A Georgia Case Study: A Look at the University System Consolidations with an Eye towards Race, Ethnicity, and Equity. Case Study," see ED625619. For "A Texas Merger: The Creation of University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Case Study," see ED625764. For "Consolidating the University of Wisconsin Colleges: The Reorganization of the University of Wisconsin System. Case Study," see ED625767.]