As part of the mission of the University System, public service and continuing education act as an interface between the 34 institutions and the communities which they serve. Such activities are an extension of the traditional on-campus learning process and have been established to improve the welfare of Georgia's citizens and serve business, industry, government, and professional organizations. The public service/continuing education component consists of the following:

• Instructional services--offering primarily non-degree credit work designed for the purpose of upgrading skills or personal development

• Applied research--finding pragmatic solutions for identified problems

• Consultation--providing expertise for solving problems

• Technical assistance--providing support for completing a task

Board policy mandates that each institution will offer a variety of conferences, institutes, short courses, workshops, seminars, and training programs. The principal unit awarded for participation in these non-degree credit activities is the Continuing Education Unit (C.E.U.), defined as "ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction."

The C.E.U. is accepted nationally as the unit for measuring participation in non-credit continuing education programs. There are two categories of continuing education activity, and only those individuals who take programs that meet the criteria for Category I may be awarded C.E.U.'s. Activities in Category I must meet administrative criteria, including being a part of an institution with a continuing education staff that has a library with reference resources and program criteria that include specifying outcomes of the learning experience and stating requirements for measurement of goals and completion of the program. Programs in Category II do not meet the criteria for inclusion in Category I but may meet the needs of the community or help satisfy the service mission of the institution. Category II activities are planned educational events of an instructional nature, with individually registered participants. "Continuing Education Activities" include both Category I and Category II programs. The rapid growth that has occurred in this area is displayed below.

Sources: Policy Manual, 1983; Utilization of the Continuing Education Unit (C.E.U.) within the University System of Georgia, 1988; 1995-96 Annual C.E.U. Report