Campus Consolidations

University System of Georgia

Georgia Regents University

Institution Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide leadership and excellence in teaching, discovery, clinical care, and
service as a student-centered comprehensive research university and academic health center, with a
wide range of programs from learning assistance through postdoctoral studies.

Profiles - Consolidated Institutions

Augusta State University

  • Established 1925
  • Fall 2011 Enrollment: 6,741
  • 67.5% enrollment from Columbia and Richmond
  • First-Year Retention: 68.5%
  • Six-Year Graduation: 24.5%
  • FY11 Degrees Conferred: 1,097
  • Total FY12 Budget: $69.6M

Georgia Health Sciences University

  • Established 1828
  • Fall 2011 Enrollment: 2,948
  • 16.5% enrollment from Columbia and Richmond
  • First-Year Retention: N/A
  • Six-Year Graduation: N/A
  • FY11 Degrees Conferred: 840
  • Total FY12 Budget: $632.4M

Opportunities & Challenges

Opportunities

  • Reflects a bold move to create a new university that builds on the strength of two institutions with distinct missions.
  • Creates a 21st century research institution that provides high quality and comprehensive undergraduate programs and top-tier health education and research that meets regional and statewide needs.
  • Continues to support the access mission which is vital to regional needs.
  • Allows for growth of research efforts to spur economic development and facilitate knowledge transfer.
  • Offers a wide array of undergraduate programs in liberal arts and professional fields.
  • Recognizes geographic proximity (~2 miles apart) .
  • Builds on strong community support.

Challenges

  • Significant differences exist in institutional mission, organization, and governance.
  • Complexity associated with current Health System structure would be further complicated by integration.
  • Branding and identity issues exist.

Consolidation Working Group for Georgia Regents University

Dr. Ricardo Azziz, President, GHSU (Working Group Chair)  
Dr. William Bloodworth, President, ASU  
Dr. Carol Rychly, Acting VP for Academic Affairs, ASU    
Dr. Wendy Turner, Chair of Faculty Policies and Professor of History, Anthropology, and Philosophy, ASU    
Mr. Jim Jones, AVP for Finance and Control, GHSU    
Mr. Phil Howard, VP for Facilities, GHSU  
Dr. Gretchen Caughman, Exec VP for Academic Affairs and Provost, GHSU    
Mr. Phil Wahl, Incoming Chair of ASU Board and Augusta City President Commercial Relationship Manager for First Citizens Bank      
Dr. Sandra Freedman, former President Medical College of Georgia Alumni Association  
Mr. Jim Hull, Principle, Hull Storey Gibson Retail Group, Augusta community member      
Mr. Cedric Johnson Sr., First Bank of Georgia VP and Community Dev Officer, Augusta community member       
Mr. Will McKnight, Augusta community member      
Mr. Jeff Heck, Reese Library, Assoc Director/Assoc Professor Faculty Policies Chair, ASU    
Dr. Rich Griner, Dept of Biology, Chair Assoc Professor, ASU  
Dr. Michael Brands, Professor & Director of Medical Physiology, GHSU  
Dr. W. Kent Guion, VP for Diversity and Inclusion, GHSU    
Mr. Clint Bryant, Director of Athletics, GHSU    
Ms. Patricia Harris, Human Resource Specialist, ASU    
Ms. Victoria Worsham, Bookstore, Accountant I / Staff Advisory Council, ASU    
Ms. Kerry Cartledge, Chair - Employee Advisory Council  
Mr. Andrew Phillips, SGA President, ASU    
Ms. Caitlin Madigan, SGA Humanitarian, GHSU