The idea of merging Sir George Williams University and Loyola College was discussed informally and sporadically. In 1968 a Loyola-Sir George Joint Steering Committee was established to investigate the various possibilities of federation, merger and so on. In 1969 there was a formal proposal put forward to the Steering Committee by Donald Savage, a Loyola history professor, and Michel Despland, the assistant dean of Arts at Sir George Williams (Proposed federation of Loyola College and Sir George Williams University, June 13, 1969, revised September 30, 1969). They recommended creating a "Federal University" that would allow students to take courses at both campuses without paying additional fees, and they introduced the idea of a bus service between Loyola and Sir George Williams.