A College Merger Got Off to a Rocky Start. Here Are Some of the Lessons.

The merger of the two Nashville colleges was publicly announced later that week, making it the latest example of what experts see as a growing trend among institutions coping with an expected decline of traditional-age applicants and increasing financial pressure. The Watkins-Belmont deal, and the pushback it has produced, also highlights the importance of long-term planning, early and transparent communication (especially for students and faculty), and shared institutional values.