In an effort to avoid financial collapse, California Maritime Academy, the smallest public university in California, is set to merge with the more financially robust and selective California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This merger will connect a Bay Area institution focused on maritime training with a university renowned for its programs in agriculture and engineering, located 250 miles away. According to a report submitted to the board of trustees overseeing the entire California State University system, the options for Cal Maritime were dire: merge with Cal Poly or face immediate closure. Both Cal Maritime and Cal Poly leadership have endorsed this merger, which received unanimous approval from the board, resulting in the reduction of the university system from 23 to 22 campuses. Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, a trustee, described the merger as an exhilarating development during her time on the board, highlighting the potential to elevate both campuses involved.

Cal Maritime has been grappling with significant financial challenges, primarily stemming from a steep decline in student enrollment. The number of students enrolled at Cal Maritime dropped by 31% from 2016-2017, going from 1,107 to just 761 last fall. In contrast, Cal Poly has maintained a stable enrollment of approximately 22,000 students during the same period. To sustain Cal Maritime at its current reduced levels, the chancellor’s office estimates an annual funding requirement of approximately $30 million, which would be in addition to its existing budget of $52.3 million. With the merger, the needs for this additional funding are expected to be alleviated, as Cal Poly’s larger workforce can absorb many of the operational responsibilities required for Cal Maritime.

Efforts to ensure a smooth transition to absorb the costs associated with Cal Poly’s higher operational expenses have led state officials to propose a $5 million annual investment over seven years, focusing primarily on financial aid for students. After this period, the system does not anticipate needing further increased funding for the new merged institution, according to Relyea.

To facilitate the merger process, the California State Chancellor’s office has enlisted the help of Baker Tilly, a firm specializing in campus consolidations, for a budget of nearly $2 million. This partnership aims to oversee the integration for approximately 10 months. If everything proceeds as planned, the official merger will occur on July 1, 2025, transforming the Cal Maritime campus into a subsidiary known as Cal Poly, Solano Campus, while its maritime training vessel and related programs will be designated as Cal Poly Maritime Academy. The leadership structure will see both campuses reporting to Cal Poly president, Jeffrey Armstrong.

However, the driving force behind merging Cal Maritime into Cal Poly goes beyond mere cost-cutting measures. The main objective is to maintain California State University’s capacity to offer degree programs that grant U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine licenses. The interim president of Cal Maritime, Michael Dumont, and other system leaders have emphasized the importance of having civilian mariners in sustaining the nation’s military readiness and national security interests. Cal Maritime is one of seven maritime academies in the U.S., and like its counterparts, it has faced decreasing enrollments in its Merchant Marine programs. Being the only maritime academy on the West Coast, it serves students from California and neighboring Western states.

Training at Cal Maritime includes internships and practical sea experiences on a large training ship. The commitment of federal funds, amounting to $360 million, is set to provide Cal Maritime with a new ship by 2026. A shortage of students would make hands-on training activities financially unfeasible; thus, drastic measures have been taken to manage staffing costs, including hiring freezes and position eliminations. During this transitional period, faculty members have expressed concerns regarding potential job losses and the overall impact on academic quality.

Some trustees, such as Julia Lopez, who has been scrutinizing Cal State’s financial situation, are optimistic that this merger will lead to financial savings for the system, allowing resources to be directed efficiently without compromising quality. They see the merger as a possible model for future cost-reduction strategies within the Cal State system, particularly for campuses struggling with enrollment.

Union representatives, however, have raised alarms about the lack of detailed information about the merger, worrying about possible impacts on faculty workloads, potential layoffs, and cuts to professional development. The potential changes in teaching workloads and institutional structure may introduce challenges for faculty. Additionally, with Cal Poly transitioning from a quarter to a semester system around the same time as the merger, complications are expected.

For current Cal Maritime students, their tuition costs won’t increase post-merger, which is critical since Cal Poly’s fees are generally higher. Instead, Cal Poly plans to subsidize the difference during the completion of their degrees. Although Cal Poly has made efforts to preserve student financial aid through its fee adjustments, it still attracts the lowest proportion of low-income students among California public universities, driven in part by the high cost of living in San Luis Obispo.

Students at both campuses have expressed varying viewpoints regarding the merger’s implications. For some, like Cal Maritime sophomore Gary Saunders, potential employment prospects remain unchanged. Others recognize that while their campus traditions may shift, the merger could offer new opportunities. Meanwhile, students at Cal Poly may see the merger as a chance to broaden their educational experiences, particularly in engineering disciplines related to maritime studies.

In conclusion, while the merger is intended to alleviate financial pressures for both institutions and uphold their core educational offerings, it raises questions about faculty roles, student costs, and integrating diverse academic cultures. As the merger date approaches, attention will be directed towards how these changes might redefine both campuses moving forward.