By Lauren Albrecht
A management contract between Milligan and Emmanuel is much closer on the horizon than a complete merger, but talk of a merge is still in the works.
“While we are waiting for all of the accreditation and financial issues to work themselves out, we are considering putting together a management contract,” said Garland Young, vice president for academic affairs and dean.
In this contract, Emmanuel Christian Seminary would hire Milligan College to manage some of their administrative functions in areas where Milligan excels, such as the offices of business, admissions, information technology, marketing and the registrar.
“In the end, the goal is really to be better stewards of resources,” said Bill Greer, president of Milligan College. “And in the long run, that could potentially make it easier, then, for us to actually become one institution.”
“That’s the direction we are moving into more quickly,” said Young.
Nothing has been signed, but Milligan and Emmanuel are exploring this contract as an interim step in the larger merging process.
While this contract does not ensure a merger, it enables Milligan to explore more fully what Emmanuel needs and how to meet those needs without compromising what Milligan is already committed to doing, said Young.
Milligan and Emmanuel are also exploring academic collaboration.
“I am not at liberty to say any specifics right now, but very shortly you could hear an announcement from us or Emmanuel about a new form of academic collaboration between the two schools,” said Young.
This collaboration, which could allow students to be enrolled in classes at both Milligan and Emmanuel, could serve as another step toward a permanent relationship between the two institutions.
“It is a question worth asking, ‘Why are we not working more closely together?’” said Young. “You can anticipate an announcement on that within a matter of weeks.”
Both institutions are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and have met with SACS to discuss steps toward a merger. As the first step in a series of interim steps toward a potential merge, Milligan must submit a long proposal called a substantive change, which is a proposal for making a significant change in a school.
“We are beginning to study what it would mean for us to write that long document,” said Young. “It is still going to be a long process; we are probably looking at not a period of months, but a couple years for it all to be worked out.”
The substantive change proposal would explain how Emmanuel would become a part of Milligan and how Milligan would ensure to maintain all services and resources it presently has while taking in Emmanuel, said Young.
“It opens up possibilities for all kinds of opportunities,” said Jack Holland, dean of Emmanuel. “We already use Milligan’s faculty in various areas, why not try to find ways where we can work together more?”
Milligan’s conversation with Emmanuel about a possible integration began in the summer and has continued through meetings with SACS, financial studies and conversations with other colleges that have undergone a similar process.
Milligan College President Bill Greer, who holds a Ph. D. in economics from the University of Tennessee, said the merger could economically fortify the schools.
“The world of higher education and the economy in which we’re operating is tougher and tougher, and it only makes sense for institutions who are or can be closely aligned to work together,” said Greer. “It’s just better stewardship.”
“We are excited and hopeful about the prospects of a new relationship with Emmanuel and we are convinced that we can do more together than we might be able to do apart,” said Young. “At the same time, we want to be very diligent and careful in taking these steps to make sure that we have all of our bases covered and we make sure that Milligan stays strong.”
milliganstampede
