A consolidation between Alfred State College and Alfred University is both ‘feasible and desirable,” concluded consultants who have spent the last several weeks studying the issue.

State University of New York administrators met in Binghamton last week with the leadership of both campuses to review a number of options put forth by Educational Alliance, based in Framingham, MA, as well as some additional models brought forth during the meeting.

“As a group, we determined there was such an enormous potential to be created by a consolidation that it merits a thorough evaluation,” said Dr. Charles M. Edmondson, president of Alfred University. “We all agreed that consolidation between the two institutions is not only feasible, but desirable.”

The concept that garnered the most interest was the creation of a statutory contract college, similar to the New York State College of Ceramics that already exists on the Alfred University campus, to contain the programs offered by Alfred State College.

“This concept preserves the integrity and mission of both institutions,” said Dr William D. Rezak, president of Alfred State College. Additionally, he noted, it preserves the integrity of the bargaining units that represent Alfred State College employees.

The presidents of Alfred State College and Alfred University outlined the proposal at a joint meeting, open to all employees of both institutions, at 1 p.m. today in the auditorium of the Orvis Activities Center on the Alfred State College campus.

They also identified a number of issues, from academic programs and structure to sports and recreation, that will require what Rezak called “further study and broad engagement” to flesh out the concept.

“In the next several months, we will be looking at the pros and cons of consolidation,” said Rezak. “We want to make sure that everyone – students, faculty, staff and alumni – has an opportunity to weigh in on this issue before it is finalized,” said Rezak.

“There’s been a lot of talk about deadlines and timetables, but I’m not giving you a deadline and neither is President Rezak because we simply don’t have one,” Edmondson told employees.

“We want this process to be timely, but not time-driven,” said Edmondson. “We will establish faculty and staff working groups to discuss the issues this fall. Naturally, we will brief our respective boards on our progress. When, and if, we reach agreement on a course of action, we will turn our attention to the mechanics of dealing with SUNY and the State Legislature. I want to stress, however, that there is no ‘drop-dead’ date. We will move quickly to deal with those issues that are of primary importance, such as organization and structure, so that we have a decision as soon as is practical. Other issues, while still important, can be worked through at a slower pace. Again, we are not working on any specific timetable.”

Rezak and Edmondson told employees that task forces are being created on both campuses to work together to resolve issues of concern. “Some will require answers almost immediately, and others can be resolved over the next several months,” said Rezak.

“This concept gives us a starting point for discussion,” said Edmondson. “It is broad enough to support a variety of specific organizational solutions. Above all,” he added, “it permits us to begin discussing ways in which a consolidated institution could be a positive force in the development of this region.”

At the employees’ meeting this afternoon, Edmondson and Rezak announced appointment of a joint Academic Affairs committee, composed of three faculty members appointed by the president of the Alfred University Faculty Senate; three faculty members appointed by the Alfred State College Faculty Task Force on the Consolidation; and three deans from each institution, appointed by the provost of each. The provosts will jointly convene the Academic Affairs committee meetings.

The consultants from Educational Alliance will return to Alfred Sept. 11 and 12, and the administrative teams from Alfred State, Alfred University and SUNY will reconvene in Binghamton later in the month to review the proposed consolidation model developed by the Academic Affairs committee.

“I think everyone came away from our first meeting in Binghamton with a clear sense that a consolidated institution could be something that is unique in New York State, and probably the Northeast: a comprehensive university containing colleges that could offer everything from two-year programs to doctoral programs,” said Edmondson.

While both Alfred University and Alfred State College are strong now, they have the potential to become even better, even stronger, through a consolidation, said Rezak. “We’re talking about building a future, not for the next three or five years, but for the next 25 or 50 years.”