Editing Concordia University (section)

===Merger===
In 1968, in the wake of the [[Parent Commission]] Report, which recommended the [[secularism|secularization]] of Quebec's educational system, the [[Government of Quebec]] asked Loyola College and Sir George Williams University to consider some form of union. The proposed merger was discussed by the Loyola-Sir George Williams Joint Steering Committee, a committee created to analyze all forms of possible mergers of the two institutions.<ref name="CUmerger">{{cite web|url=https://www.concordia.ca/offices/archives/stories/merger.html|title=Merger of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University|publisher=Concordia University|access-date=July 30, 2019}}</ref> It was proposed, in 1969, to create a university federation that allowed students to take courses at both campuses without paying additional fees. There was also mention of a [[shuttle bus service]] linking the remote facilities {{convert|7|km|abbr=on}} apart.<ref name="CUmerger"/>

Criticized for the difficulties encountered by the cohesion of the various departments and faculties, this option was set aside, but not totally rejected by the Joint Steering Committee. The Joint Committee of Representatives of the Board of Trustees of Loyola College and the Board of Governors of Sir George Williams University was formed in December 1971 and in fall 1972 produced a document outlining the basis of a university with two campuses.<ref name="CUmerger"/> While the committee considered a number of possible models, including that of a loose federation, the solution finally adopted was that of an integrated institution, Concordia University, operating under the existing charter of Sir George Williams University. Following several revisions in November 1972, the document became the main plan of the proposed merger. It was accepted by both institutions, which began the process of consolidating their operations.<ref name="CUmerger"/>

In early 1973, the two institutions announced the merger would take place that fall. However, legal and administrative procedures delayed the merger for another year.<ref name="CUmerger"/> On August 24, 1974, the Government of Quebec recognized the merger, thus creating Concordia University. The name was taken from the motto of the city of Montreal, ''Concordia salus'' (meaning "well-being through harmony").<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.concordia.ca/content/concordia/en/about/history.html|title=Concordia University History|publisher=Concordia University|access-date=July 30, 2019}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|"When you join together two lively institutions, each with its own philosophies and ways of doing things, each firmly dedicated to freedom of thought and speech, you must expect a measure of friction. We look forward now to a new period of creative friction."|Concordia Rector and Vice-Chancellor John O'Brien, on the finalization of the merger, August 16, 1974<ref name="CUmerger"/>}}