HCS Founder and Principal Interviewed on University of Alaska Consolidation

Higher Ed Consolidation Solutions Founder and Principal Brian Weinblatt was recently featured in an article published by Debtwire on the University of Alaska consolidation.

Weinblatt’s remarks:

“This is not the ideal way to go about doing this, and probably everyone involved would agree with that,” said Brian Weinblatt, founder and principal of Higher Ed Consolidation Solutions. “The fiscal challenges are immense, no question about this, it’s a very difficult place for the state to be in and subsequently put the institutions in.”

It’s a difficult and painful decision to consolidate and the move will receive pushback from constituents, Weinblatt said.

“But in the long-term, there’s a lot of great opportunity here and no question campuses can save in the long-term by consolidating in the back office through purchasing, human resources, technology, etc,” Weinblatt said.

The re-accreditation process alone can take years, Weinblatt said.

“There’s no way to flip a switch overnight, and everything is done — it’s not possible,” Weinblatt said. “I saw that the accreditor has serious reservations on this, Moody’s cut the rating based on fiscal concerns — it will take time to sort out.”