The New Hampshire Institute of Art will hold a town hall meeting Wednesday evening to discuss a possible merger with Southern New Hampshire University.
The institute’s Acting President Rick Strawbridge says he hopes the meeting will help clear the air.
“There have been a number of people who have made assumptions that are not true and who are upset I think probably for no reason. And I hope to calm it down and give us a chance to have some good discussion about it.”
The two schools signed a memorandum of understanding last month to explore a potential merger, with the goal of deciding either way by September 1.
Strawbridge stresses that it’s far from a done deal.
He says a merger with SNHU would bring additional funds and resources for marketing, but adds that the school already has a five-year financial plan in place.
“So it’s not like we’re entering into the discussions in some sort of desperation; we’re doing just fine. This is just something interesting to look at.”
Wednesday’s meeting is open to the public. It starts at 5:30 in the institute’s French Building Rotunda.