Consolidation Information

The University System of Georgia announced on Thursday, January 5, 2012, a proposal to consolidate several state institutions of higher education, including North Georgia College and State University and nearby Gainesville State College. The USG Board of Regents approved the proposal on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012.

In October 2011, USG Chancellor Hank Huckaby launched a number of important  initiatives aimed at strengthening the University System of Georgia in its immediate and long-term ability to serve students and meet state needs. One of these initiatives was the potential for consolidation of institutions to increase student access and success and operational efficiencies.

At its November 2011 meeting, the Board of Regents adopted six Principles for Consolidation that were then used by the University System of Georgia staff members to assess possible consolidations that might strengthen USG’s teaching, research and service missions.

The resulting analysis led to the chancellor’s recommendation for four consolidations among eight USG institutions. A transparent planning and implementation process will be launched by the University System of Georgia. The affected institutions likely will have a number of committees addressing the many campus-wide and institution-centric dimensions of consolidation.

Consolidation is contingent upon approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is the accrediting body for both North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College.

Following the system's consolidation announcement, North Georgia President Bonita Jacobs addressed two areas that she anticipated might be primary concerns of the university’s constituents – the future of the Corps of Cadets and continued support for the institution’s outstanding academic standards. In her statement, Jacobs said that the university would continue its strong support for the Corps of Cadets as a cornerstone of the residential  program at the Dahlonega campus. She also pledged to continue to support academic excellence by maintaining the university’s entrance requirements and academic standards.

University System of Georgia Consolidation Website

FAQs regarding proposed consolidation of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College

What is the existing relationship between North Georgia and Gainesville State?

Gainesville State and North Georgia have a long history of collaboration that dates back to 1984 when North Georgia began offering limited evening courses on the Gainesville State campus.  Over the years, both institutions have worked together to maintain an environment of quality learning experiences and offerings have expanded, making it possible for many Gainesville State graduates to stay on the Gainesville campus while continuing their college careers with North Georgia.

How will this impact the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses?

Student life on each of these campuses would be minimally impacted. North Georgia’s Dahlonega campus would continue to have a primarily residential focus and maintain about the same number of students and a strong emphasis on small class sizes and active student opportunities. Gainesville State’s campus would continue to be a commuter-based institution serving a more highly-populated geographic area.

How will this impact the academic standards of each institution?

Individually, Gainesville State and North Georgia are strong schools with particular missions focused on meeting the educational needs of students. A consolidated institution would maintain the academic rigor required for the university’s bachelor, graduate and doctoral programs, while also providing access opportunities on satellite campuses for students seeking associate degrees. A consolidation may also allow the opportunity for certain high-demand programs currently offered only in Dahlonega to be offered at other campuses.

How will the different levels of college readiness that currently exist at the two campuses be addressed?

We are committed to both maintaining college access and improving college completion.  Balancing these commitments will be one of the challenges facing the institutional implementation team but we can make it work.

How will this impact North Georgia’s Corps of Cadets?

As one of only six senior military colleges in the United States and designated by state legislation as the Military College of Georgia, North Georgia College & State University is committed to maintaining this important part of our heritage and identity. The university will maintain its designation as a senior military college and will preserve the Corps of Cadets as a cornerstone of its residential program on the Dahlonega campus.

What are the benefits of this proposed consolidation?

The consolidation could allow the broad baccalaureate and graduate program offerings of North Georgia College & State University to be available at the campuses of Gainesville State, maintaining access and increasing the range of degree offerings in the region. It would also enable a seamless transfer between an already existing pipeline of students between Gainesville State and North Georgia.

How large would the consolidated institution be?

The combined enrollment of the two schools is approximately 15,000 students. The consolidation would create a regional university with  campuses in Dahlonega, Gainesville, Watkinsville, and Cumming. Based on fall 2011 enrollment and assuming consistent enrollment growth, this would be the seventh-largest university in the system behind UGA, Georgia State, Georgia Perimeter, Kennesaw, Georgia Tech, and Georgia Southern.

What will happen to Gainesville State College’s Watkinsville campus?

The campus will be maintained.

How will this affect the new instructional center in Cumming?

Through an existing partnership, North Georgia and Gainesville State are slated to open a joint instructional center, University Center | GA 400, in fall 2012 in Cumming. This facility will proceed and provide another point of access for students interested in meeting core curriculum requirements, certain baccalaureate and graduate programs, and professional development opportunities. 

What are some of the possible new opportunities the consolidation presents?

Though details of the consolidation would be worked out over the next 12 to 18 months, the consolidation could present an opportunity to better serve the growing veteran population in the northeast Georgia region by connecting the expertise and experience of North Georgia’s military program with expanded access points for veteran outreach services for veterans who are returning to civilian life and looking toward higher education to make that transition.

Additionally, this collaboration could increase the number baccalaureate and graduate offerings across the consolidated school’s network of campuses to meet the workforce needs of the region, especially in critical areas such as education and health care, while avoiding duplication of programs.