[EricH]

I would like to point out that there is nothing preventing said students (as individuals) from joining the other team. But a merger needs the whole team to agree, or at least a majority of the team.

Here is the problem, which these students may not have considered. At least last year, teams were NOT counted as rookies if they had more than 5 veterans from another team! So if you do merge, there will be no grants for either team. So you just made it harder for both teams by merging. The students will have to work just as hard for their participation.

Just talk to the students in question. If they do want things given to them, they are free to switch teams, if everyone approves. If they want to stay, they will need to work. If the teams merge because of their efforts, they will need to work.

Above all, there should be no behind-the-back deals on the team, particularly if they affect the whole team.