HCS Blog

Over the past year, a new and sobering risk has emerged for college and university trustees and senior leaders—and it’s no longer just financial. It’s legal and personal.

In multiple recent cases, students, alumni, faculty, and even former trustees have filed lawsuits against institutional leadership—alleging negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and financial mismanagement in the wake of college closures or near-collapse. These suits are gaining momentum, media coverage, and in some cases, traction in the courts.

Is Your Institution Choosing the Right Path?

Many colleges and universities facing financial strain default to Plan A—hoping for a turnaround that rarely comes. But waiting too long can lead to closure. Plan B—strategic partnerships, affiliations, or mergers—offers a transformative path forward.

Survival is not the goal. Strength is.

Read our latest article to learn why Plan B should become Plan A for institutions navigating today’s challenges.

As colleges and universities face mounting pressures, the idea of mergers is no longer confined to struggling institutions. Even thriving schools are beginning to explore the potential for transformative partnerships. But where should institutional leaders start when considering such a complex and impactful decision? And how can a consultant guide them through the uncharted waters of a merger? This article provides insights into the early stages of merger exploration and the critical role of expert guidance, helping higher education leaders understand how to take that first step with confidence and strategic foresight.

Due to heightened activity and interest in higher education mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, and closures, the United States Department of Education published Updated Guidance and Procedures for Changes in Ownership. While the new procedures can add steps and time to the process, they are reasonable considering the significance of these transactions and how they impact stakeholders, especially students.

HCS Founder and Principal Brian Weinblatt and Senior Consultant Ricardo Azziz were featured in University Business Magazine with the article Have you considered a merger? Because hope is not a plan in higher ed.

HCS Founder and Principal Brian Weinblatt was recently featured in a CalMatters article: Mills-Northeastern merger a sign of challenges facing women’s colleges. The article discusses the Mills College and Northeastern University merger.

A listing of reports, articles and books about college and university mergers and consolidations.

HCS Founder and Principal Brian Weinblatt was recently featured in an article and audio report on the state university consolidations in Pennsylvania: PASSHE Approves Plan To Merge Six State Universities Into Two.

HCS Consultant Guilbert Hentschke was recently featured in the U.S. News & World Report article: A Guide to the Changing Number of U.S. Universities.

The HCS senior consultant, veteran university administrator and higher education industry leader passed away July 1, 2020.

HCS senior consultant Lloyd A. Jacobs recently co-authored a commentary piece in The Chronicle of Higher Education, A Merger Can Save Your College, but Don’t Wait Too Long.

Higher Ed Consolidation Solutions and its Founder and Principal Brian Weinblatt were recently featured in the New York Times article: Radical Survival Strategies for Struggling Colleges.

HCS senior consultant Lloyd A. Jacobs, along with other university merger experts, recently published a new book entitled Strategic Mergers in Higher Education.

Higher Ed Consolidation Solutions Founder and Principal Brian Weinblatt was recently featured in an article published by Debtwire on the University of Alaska consolidation.