University System of Georgia plans to consolidate Armstrong, Georgia Southern
Savannah, Ga. (WTGS FOX 28) — A merger between Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University is in the works.
The Chancellor of the University System of Georgia is recommending two consolidations to the Board of Regents, one of which is Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University.
The statement issued by Chancellor Steve Wrigley's office reads in part:
University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley plans to recommend two consolidations to the Board of Regents: Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and Bainbridge State College. The Board will act upon the recommendations at its Jan. 11 meeting. If approved, the two new institutions will be named Georgia Southern University, to be led by President Jaimie Hebert, and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, to be led by President David Bridges.
The consolidation of these four institutions is expected to enable the University System to better serve students, broaden or redesign academic programs offered in the coastal and south Georgia regions and reinvest savings into academics to improve student success.
The complete statement may be found here
Earlier Friday, Armstrong State University confirmed in a letter to faculty, staff and students that a merger with Georgia Southern University is in the works.
ASU President Linda Bleicken issued the following statement:
To the Armstrong Community:
The University System of Georgia will announce today that Chancellor Steve Wrigley will recommend the consolidation of Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University for consideration at the Board of Regents’ January 11 meeting.
The recommended consolidation will combine the best of both institutions. As many of you know, Armstrong and Georgia Southern are just an hour apart and ultimately serve many of the same students coming from the coastal Georgia region who are seeking higher education. This consolidation will build on our recognized strengths in the health professions and our military partnerships.
If approved by the Board of Regents, the new institution would be named Georgia Southern University. Dr. Jaimie L. Hebert, the current Georgia Southern president, would serve as the president of the combined institution.
Like you, I am proud of Armstrong’s history and legacy in the community. Fortunately, Armstrong and Georgia Southern are both strong institutions defined by a shared focus on supporting student success, talented faculty and staff, and a powerful commitment to academic excellence.
Pending the Board’s action on Wednesday, both campuses will play an important role in developing the plans for moving the new Georgia Southern University forward. This will include the development of a joint steering committee; joint working teams of students, faculty, and staff; and joint consolidation website to keep all stakeholders informed of its progress and actions.
I will provide more information following the board meeting.
Sincerely,
Linda M. Bleicken
President
As soon as the University System of Georgia releases additional information on the consolidation, we’ll have details here.
