The University System of Georgia must operate more efficiently and effectively, with a stronger emphasis on how many students graduate as opposed to how many enroll, Chancellor Hank Huckaby told the state Board of Regents Tuesday.
While the 35-institution system is strong, Huckaby said it can be better. During his first regents meeting as chancellor, Huckaby said the current funding formula cannot be sustained.
"Going forward we will ask more questions about new and existing programs and how they mesh together from a system standpoint," he said. "We also will scrutinize capital projects more closely."
Gov. Nathan Deal last week said he will form a commission to look at changing the way the state funds colleges, including giving financial incentives to improve graduation rates.
Less than 60 percent of University System of Georgia students graduate within six years. The rates range from about 80 percent at the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech to less than one-third at Augusta State and Clayton State universities.
The regents have emphasized graduation and retention rates in recent years. Last year they ordered each college president to develop campus-specific plans and targets in those areas. Huckaby and regents Chairman Ben Tarbutton said those efforts will continue.
Tarbutton said an immediate challenge also will be advocating for growth money in the 2013 fiscal year budget.
The system typically receives additional state money to handle growth but it did not receive the nearly $170 million in "formula growth" anticipated for the 2012 fiscal year, which began July 1. The system expects to teach about 320,000 students this fall -- up from last year’s nearly 311,000.
The regents are scheduled to vote on the 2013 budget request in September. The request will include about $100 million for formula growth, John Brown, vice chancellor for fiscal affairs, said during a briefing on the budget.
Earlier in the meeting, Huckaby told the regents "we must spend wisely and carefully" if they are to make the case for additional money in coming years.
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