The regulation of the college merger process in New York, including its effects on a recent merger between private institutions, is examined. New York's higher education policy formation process and the laws and policies that make college mergers possible are considered. The merger of Eisenhower College and Rochester Institute of Technology provides a reference for specific recommendations to enhance the merger option and use it for controlled retrenchment within the system. Two common routes for colleges seeking mergers in New York State are the traditional consolidation of two or more institutions into one and a form using laws designed for institutional closure to dissolve one institution and transfer its assets to another. The dissolution merger of independent institutions could be the type most frequently practiced in coming years, and it is the type illustrated by the merger of Eisenhower College and Rochester Institute. The dissolution/acquisition route is not favorable to the dissolving institution but it can provide continuity for current students and their records and may provide, in part, employment for faculty and staff, perpetuation of some goals and traditions, and continued debt service supporting the dormitory bonds. There are seven distinct policies and practices that may impinge upon a college merger before, during, and after its consummation. Five apply to all mergers and the remaining two involve special cases: monitoring, off-campus instruction, chartering, master planning, program registration, legislative override, and trustee replacement. The time involved to phase out older academic programs and initiate new ones is discussed. It is recommended that New York should continue its policy of not requiring formal notice to the state mergers, should develop merger experts who can broker mergers, provide policy information, and negotiate the process. A bibliography is appended. (SW)