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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Higher Ed Panel Quiet On Merger Proposal

From Staff And Wire Reports

A Spokane higher education board that might be abolished if Eastern Washington University and Washington State University merge reacted in silence Wednesday to the merger idea.

Maurice McGrath, chairman of the 14-member board of the Joint Center for Higher Education, speculated that members did not think the public meeting was the right time, or format, for discussing the merger idea.

Sen. Jim West, R-Spokane, first floated the proposal last week.

WSU, which blames the Joint Center for hindering the university’s growth in Spokane, supports the proposal. Eastern’s board of trustees has rejected the idea.

The Joint Center board is made up of representatives of WSU, Eastern and other schools.

West envisions putting WSU in charge of academic programs offered through the Riverpoint Higher Education Park in downtown Spokane.

That could eliminate the need for the Joint Center, which manages the park.

McGrath said the Joint Center board will meet in January to review its mission and future. The WSUEastern merger proposal may be discussed at that time, he said.

, DataTimes