(07-22-2014 04:10 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(07-21-2014 10:38 PM)Murray007 Wrote:  I think ODU will push for a merger with EVMS as well. I'm not sure what will happen in the future but adding an already established medical school would help push ODU's reputation as a strong metropolitan science-based university. Plus, ODU is literally a few miles away unlike W&M.

All valid points. Especially with geography, ODU makes a lot of sense. ODU has been pushing for the merger for a while.

Only problem is EVMS seems to really want W&M. By all accounts things are moving ahead on this, albeit at a glacial, W&M pace.

IMO, W&M is their choice. However, the bridges back to ODU are still intact should things fall apart.

Definitely hit the nail on the head. W&M has the prestige factor, a lot more $$$, and over 300 years of education in Virginia which are all qualities that ODU doesn't have.

I hope to see an EVMS merger with the two Norfolk-based schools. It only seems practical for an ODU-EVMS merger to occur as the campuses become closer due to collaboration and transportation (light rail expansion). However, no matter what happens, I hope to see ODU continue to partner with EVMS to help the greater Hampton Roads community.