The Rockdale News Rockdale News Digital Edition January 7, 2015 | Page 3

In Depth
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015

A merger that could
create the largest
university in Georgia

GSU + GPC
BY STAFF REPORTS

Georgia Perimeter College will soon become part of Georgia State University after
a proposal recommending the consolidation of the two schools from Board of Regents
Chancellor Hank Huckaby was approved Tuesday morning.
Georgia Perimeter College employees received notice Monday evening of a merger
between Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University, to be proposed the next
morning.
According to the email from GPC Interim President Rob Watts sent to GPC employees, “This would create a new type of institution in the University System of Georgia: A
research university that also has an access mission,” Watts wrote.
If the merger goes through with the expected parameters the GPC Newton Campus will
become part of Georgia’s largest university. The combined enrollment of GSU and GPC in
the fall of 2014 was 53,927 students.
Tuition rates, which were raised before 2014-15, are expected to rise once again at GPC,
according to a school official.
“Georgia State is a recognized national leader in improving student retention and graduation rates and will be able to apply its best practices,” Huckaby said. “Combining these
attributes with Georgia Perimeter College’s leadership in providing access to students
across the metro area presents a major opportunity to improve student success.”
Watts wrote in the email, “Should the Board approve this consolidation, we have the opportunity in the year ahead of working with the Chancellor’s Office and our fine colleagues
at Georgia State University to create a new type of institution in the USG that continues
our important mission, maximizes the opportunities for student success at all levels, values
the work of employees, and increases operational efficiencies. This is an exciting prospect.”
He described a joint consolidation steering committee, website and working teams that
would be formed “to begin working through practical and technical matters.”
Watts described the mergers going on in the University System of Georgia in the past
several years - six over that last two years, including the consolidation of Kennesaw State
Univeristy and Southern Polytechnic.
“The primary purpose of the consolidations has been to increase educational opportunities for students: Access to more degree programs, higher-level degree programs, and other
student-success activities. Savings achieved from consolidations are reinvested into the
academic program,” wrote Watts.
GPC reported more than 21,000 students enrolled in the Fall 2014 semester, with the
full-time equivalent of about 15,400 students.The two-year access institution is a large
feeder school to the GSU four-year research institution. GSU has more than 32,000 students, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Read more

MAN ON THE STREET
We asked current and former GSU and GPC students how they felt about the merger.

TROI CHARITY

MIKE EDEN

FARHIN LILYWALA

ANNA YANG