Public higher education has long been a key to economic success across the nation. In an era of tight financial resources, the University System of Georgia must continually assess how it serves students.
If we are going to help students have an edge in a very competitive world, it is a necessity of economic survival.
Using a set of core principles, the Board of Regents asked itself some very difficult questions:
* In the environment today, does maintaining 35 public colleges and universities make sense for our students?
* Is our present organization the best we can do for the future needs of the state?
As we sought the answers, we discovered that there is a better way to serve students and the state. This is the consolidation of eight of our current colleges and universities into what will be four new institutions.
In each case, the result will be a new organization equipped to provide an expanded menu of courses to students, to open up teaching and research opportunities to our faculty, and to cut administrative costs that potentially can benefit students in our teaching efforts.
Most importantly, we will help more students complete college and earn degrees.
None of the eight institutions will be closed. Instead, a stronger, more efficient campus will emerge.
These new organizations will maintain and expand our historic commitment to open the door to higher education to all who are academically prepared.
To those who fear a diminished economic impact in the affected communities, the end result should produce the opposite effect: increased growth and innovative opportunities.
The easy part of this endeavor was completed last week with the approval of the identified campus consolidations; the hard work is now in the details.
We will tap into the experience of individuals at the campus level to establish a deliberative process to ensure success in blending the two institutions into one.
Change is never easy; the consolidation of institutions is not the norm in higher education and our bold plan has gained national attention.
We know that all eyes are focused on our work, especially those belonging to our students, faculty and staff and alumni.
As we take the next 12 to 18 months to implement consolidation, we will never lose focus when it comes to doing what is best for our students — providing a world-class education and giving them the tools to graduate and succeed in a global environment.
Hank Huckaby is chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
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