HALIFAX -- The board of governors at Canada's oldest independent arts university says the school should remain autonomous rather than merging with other universities in Halifax.
The board of NSCAD University, formerly the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, says it considered a study into an affiliation with Dalhousie University or Saint Mary's University and concluded independence is its best option.
NSCAD University president Daniel O'Brien says he is hopeful the board's decision puts to rest further speculation of an affiliation, consolidation or merger, and the board has told management to abandon such plans and pursue collaborations with the two schools instead.
The study found NSCAD University is already collaborating with other post-secondary institutions for research, services and programming.
The consultants say any affiliation would not lead to savings and could actually cost more.
NSCAD University has struggled financially in recent years, an issue that originally prompted it to consider an affiliation, but the board says it has made progress on reducing its deficit and debt.
