Final step: Accreditation agency approves Kennesaw-Southern Poly merger

Here is the statement:

Today, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges gave its approval to the consolidation plans of Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University. Chancellor Hank Huckaby first announced the consolidation plans in November 2013, to create the new, combined institution.

Officials from SACSCOC, the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education in the Southern states, announced the approval of the prospectus submitted for the new institution during the SACSCOC annual meeting held in Nashville.

SACSCOC’s approval represents the final step needed for the Board of Regents to review and grant authorization for the consolidated institution to officially operate as the new Kennesaw State University. The board is scheduled to review the final recommendation for consolidation at its January 6, 2015, meeting.

“Our consolidation of institutions has been about serving our students better by expanding access, broadening programs and reinvesting resources for the benefit of our students,” said University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby. “As with past consolidations, our goal with the new Kennesaw State University is to continue to broaden opportunities for more students and to do so more efficiently. I thank the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for its thoughtful assessment and approval of our new university.”

The new institution will have an expanded academic and research mission and new academic programs to better serve students.  With the completion of the consolidation, the number of institutions in the University System of Georgia will be reduced from 31 to 30.

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Charles Sutlive

Vice Chancellor

Office of Communications

Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia