Pacific University and Willamette University signed a letter of intent to merge, a deal the schools say would create Oregon’s largest private university and preserve separate campuses and academic identities under a shared administrative structure. Leaders from both institutions framed the move as a way to consolidate resources, expand program offerings and shore up finances after years of enrollment pressures; regulators including the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities must still approve the plan. Officials said academic programs and athletics would remain distinct while administrative functions would be unified. Both presidents emphasized the merger is intended to protect mission‑driven education and increase capacity for workforce‑aligned programs; state and federal regulatory sign‑offs and a definitive agreement are the next steps.