Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College are considering a merger to consolidate resources and stave off enrollment declines, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
The two institutions, only nine miles apart, already jointly employ 64 employees and have shared a president since 2015. Officials at the colleges estimate merging would save about $500,000 annually. As a part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 33 public colleges and universities, the two colleges would need permission from the Minnesota State Board of Trustees to merge. The colleges’ accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, would also have to sign off on the plan.
Michael Berndt, president of the colleges since 2020, told the Star Tribune that merging would “create a richer, stronger experience for students.”
“We’d be able to offer 100 programs of study, robust, inclusive support services and extensive business and community partnerships,” he said.
Five small Minnesota community colleges previously made a similar move, merging in 2022.
Faculty members feel some trepidation about the potential merger, Laura Funke, an English instructor at Inver Hills, told the Star Tribune.
There’s “nervous excitement” about collaborating with Dakota County Technical College faculty members, she said. “At the same time, faculty are tense about issues such as potential layoffs, closing of programs and seniority. We look forward to working closely with the DCTC faculty to ensure that faculty have a strong voice in merger discussions.”
