SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The chancellor for the University System of Georgia (USG), Sonny Perdue, announced Tuesday he will be recommending the consolidation of Georgia Southern University (GS) and East Georgia State College (EGSC).

“When we began our consolidation initiative, the system hadn’t changed much and needed to do things differently to better serve our students and the state,” Perdue said. “Today, as we remain focused on those core priorities of attainment, affordability and efficiency, we also understand the importance of making sure East Georgia State College’s legacy of creating knowledge and prosperity continues within the Swainsboro community and beyond.”

EGSC will still retain its identity if approved while becoming a part of Georgia Southern University, to be led by President Kyle Marrero. The proposed consolidation allows USG to better serve students, broaden academic programs and reinvest savings into academics to improve student success.

“The dollars saved through consolidation have always been reinvested directly in our campuses – fueling the hiring of strong faculty, expanding student support services and driving measurable improvements in retention and graduation rates,” Perdue added. “Our commitment in making this recommendation is no different. We will preserve access to higher education locally while ensuring that we keep improving the experience and success of our students.”

After Perdue makes the recommendation the Board of Regents will act upon it at the upcoming meeting on April 15-16.

The board’s vote this month is for initial approval to move forward. The consolidation would also need approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. 

According to the press release from USG, initial opportunities from consolidating Georgia Southern and EGSC include:

• Builds on existing collaboration between the two institutions.
• Reinvests savings from administrative efficiencies into academic and support programs to increase student success.
• Minimizes duplication of academic programs while increasing degree pathways for all students.
• Creates a more comprehensive institution of 29,000+ students, making it the fifth-largest public university in Georgia.
• Expands upon EGSC’s commitment to offering an affordable gateway to quality higher education.
• Creates opportunities for raising retention and graduation rates for all students.

If the recommendation is approved, an implementation team with representatives from both institutions will be formed to work out details associated with the consolidation.

USG and the institutions are planning to hold an initial listening session on April 16 at EGSC’s Swainsboro campus. Additional campus and community listening sessions would then be held in the coming months to seek input on ways to best design the new institution to serve its region and the state.