(The Center Square) – The Board of Regents of Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College will vote next week on a merger plan proposed by University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue.
East Georgia would become a part of Georgia Southern, creating an institution with more than 29,000 students, according to a news release. The two schools are less than an hour from each other.
“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 said. “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.”
The University System began consolidating schools in 2012. The consolidations led to $30 million in savings due to a reduction in administrative costs that was used to hire faculty and improve student services, according to the University System.
This is not the first merger for Georgia Southern University. Savannah’s Armstrong State University merged with the school in 2017.
Other mergers in recent years include four metro Atlanta universities. Kennesaw State University joined with Southern Polytechnic State in 2015. University. Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College merged later that year.
A listening session is scheduled for next Wednesday on the East Georgia campus in Swainsboro.
