Pomona College and Claremont Graduate University confirmed they have entered exclusive, nonbinding talks about a potential transaction after months of confidential discussions. CGU said it seeks a mission‑aligned partner to stabilize finances and explore new revenue models while preserving its graduate identity; Pomona said any agreement would not alter its undergraduate liberal‑arts mission. Separately, critics in the U.K. have accused the Office for Students of a sluggish response to whistleblower allegations at the University of Greater Manchester, with a local MP calling the regulator “asleep at the wheel.” The parallel episodes highlight cross‑national pressures: small graduate institutions seeking new operating models while regulators face scrutiny over responsiveness to governance failures. What happened: Pomona and CGU begin exclusive merger talks; the OfS faces criticism over investigative delays at Manchester. Who’s involved: Pomona College, Claremont Graduate University, UK MP Phil Brickell, Office for Students. Sources: Institutional FAQ and local reporting.