ACA board votes for merger ... again

In an Aug. 22 revote on the proposed merger between the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Atlanta College of Art, the ACA board of directors voted to uphold its July 25 recommendation that the two schools merge beginning in summer 2006.

The initial vote was called into question after certain irregularities were brought to the attention of the board, including a lack of sufficient notice for the meeting.

The reaffirmed decision came despite numerous protests by ACA students and publicized opposition to the merger from some members of the ACA faculty.

Jess Bowling, an ACA alumni who heads ACA100, the student organization opposed to the merger, said of the revote, "I'm devastated by it.

"I think it's a sad day for the arts in Atlanta. It's a sad day for the city's identity."

John Spiegel, chairman of the ACA board, characterized the revote as composed of "a clear majority," though he would not disclose the exact breakdown.

"Everyone felt the weight of a significant decision to be made," said Spiegel of the mood during the vote. "It was a very serious meeting and everyone took it in a very serious manner."

The final vote to determine if SCAD and ACA will merge goes before the Woodruff Arts Center board of trustees and the SCAD board of trustees on Aug. 24.