Confronted with declining enrollment and budget reductions, schools of education have increasingly considered institutional merger as a possible approach to survival. This solution is currently being worked out in large education systems in Maine and Indiana. During the decade since the merger of two large institutions in Indiana, both problems and advantages have been reported. Among the problems, loss of identity and autonomy for one campus, increased administrative bureaucracy, and a strain on the governance of both schools have been cited. However, opportunities for students have been widened, resources have been shared across the two sites, and there has been a lessened dependency upon part-time faculty. A case study of the merger of the Schools of Education at Oregon State University and Western Oregon State College provides insights into the difficulties and advantages of institutional mergers. It is pointed out that mergers most often fail because of human issues rather than financial or legal problems. Nevertheless, in the few settings where significant programmatic and administrative mergers have been attempted in higher education, there is considerable evidence that they have led to greater institutional security, improved programs, and expanded opportunities for students. (JD)