Watkinsville's Gainesville State Campus Could be Part of Merger with North Georgia

Gainesville State College, which has a , could be combined with North Georgia College and State University under a recommendation by University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby.

“Our goal is a more educated Georgia, with a network of institutions that offer a range of needed degrees for 21st century demands,” Huckaby said in a released statement. “We are going to fulfill our mission within the limited resources available.”

Combining schools would mean "increased administrative efficiencies and greater economies of scale through the creation of larger institutions better able to serve students," according to a news release.

The University System of Georgia is addressing many of the questions and concerns about consolidation on its website. Read how students, faculty and staff would be affected.

Other proposed consolidations, which need to be approved by the Board of Regents, are:

• Middle Georgia College and Macon State College
• Waycross College and South Georgia College
• Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University.

Huckaby told the Atlanta Journal Constitution consolidations are the "right approach for us to take at the right time."

Existing campuses, campus, would remain open; however there would be the possibility of some workforce reductions, the release stated.

Vice-President of the Oconee campus Margaret Venable told The Oconee Enterprise the school will continue to serve the community.

The Gainesville Times reported that Gainesville State faculty was surprised when the news broke Thursday.

The Regents are scheduled to consider the recommendation at its two-day meeting starting Tuesday. If approved, the target date for full integration is fall of 2013.

Do you think mergers of the schools would be beneficial?