NSCAD board to review merger report

The board of governors at NSCAD University in Halifax is meeting Thursday to discuss the future of the century-old arts school.

The university's debt is almost $10 million. A consultant has warned that government intervention may be the only way to deal with a "significant" cash flow problem.

In a report last week, consultant Tim O'Neill presented NSCAD with two options: internal restructuring or a merger with another university in Halifax.

O'Neill said even without its money problems, NSCAD doesn't have adequate space for many of its current programs. This puts the school's programs at risk, he said.

O'Neill's report is on the agenda for Thursday's gathering of the board of governors.

Neither the board nor NSCAD administrators have spoken publicly about the report, despite repeated requests from CBC News.

In a letter to faculty, however, NSCAD president David Smith said he remains committed to maintaining an independent university for the fine arts.

Nova Scotia Finance Minister Graham Steele told reporters Wednesday that he was aware of the challenges at NSCAD but hadn't seen any proposals.