Pomona College and Claremont Graduate University confirmed exclusive, nonbinding negotiations about a potential partnership that could make CGU a legal subsidiary of Pomona. Both institutions said talks are confidential but expect to negotiate a definitive agreement over the next six months; CGU emphasized that any arrangement should preserve its name, graduate identity, academic autonomy and degree-granting authority. Pomona President Gabrielle Starr reiterated that the college’s undergraduate liberal-arts mission would not be altered. The discussions reflect broader consolidation pressure on small graduate institutions facing demographic and financial headwinds and signal a new model for consortium-based strategic alignments.