University System of Georgia

University System of Georgia
Abbreviation USG
Formation 1931
Purpose educational oversight
Headquarters Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Membership
30 public colleges and universities, with a combined endowment of approx. $2.5 billion
Chancellor
Hank M. Huckaby
Website www.usg.edu

The University System of Georgia (USG) is the organizational body that includes 30 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering Public Library Service of the state which includes 58 public library systems. The USG also dispenses public funds (allocated by the state's legislature) to the institutions but not the lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship. The USG is the fifth largest university system in the United States by total student enrollment, with 318,027 students in 30 public institutions. The four larger systems are the University System of Ohio, State University of New York, California State University, and The State University System of Florida. USG institutions are divided into four categories depending on their mission statements. The categories include research universities, state universities, state colleges and regional universities.

The System is home to four research universities; Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Georgia, Georgia Regents University and Georgia State University. The University of Georgia is the state and system's flagship university and also the state's oldest and largest institution of higher learning.[1][2] University of North Georgia is the state's designated military school. There are three historically black schools housed within the USG; Fort Valley State University, Albany State University and Savannah State University.

In 2012, the 30 USG institutions had a $14.1 Billion Economic Impact on the state of Georgia. Georgia Tech in Atlanta and UGA had the largest impacts on their regional economies: $2.6 billion and 20,869 jobs at Georgia Tech and $2.2 billion and 22,196 jobs at UGA. Georgia State University in Atlanta had a $1.6 billion economic impact with 13,736 jobs.[3]

History

The University System of Georgia was created with the passage of the Reorganization Act of 1931 by the Georgia General Assembly in 1931. The Reorganization Act created a Board of Regents to oversee the state's colleges and universities and the 26 boards of trustees that had provided oversight over the various institutions before passage of the act.[4] The Board of Regents officially took office on January 1, 1932, and consisted of eleven members to be appointed by the Governor of Georgia pending approval from the Georgia Senate. The Governor held an ex officio position on the Board. The regents were to elect a chairman and select a secretary One regent was appointed from each of Georgia's ten congressional districts and the eleventh member was chosen at large.[4]

Governor initial appointees included Cason Jewell Callaway, Sr. Richard Russell, Jr.'s(1894-1961), Martha Berry, Richard Russell, Sr. (the governor's father), George C. Woodruff, William Dickson Anderson, Sr. (1873-1957), Egbert Erle Cocke, Sr. (1895-1977) and Philip Robert Weltner, Sr. (1887-1981). Anderson was elected chairman, Weltner vice-chairman and Cocke was appointed as the secretary/treasurer. Prior to the Reorganization Act, Georgia university chief executives held the title of chancellor; however, after the Act, University heads were given the title of president and a new chancellor position was created. The USG chancellor was selected and overseen by the board. At the request of the regents, Charles Snelling, the presiding head of the University of Georgia (UGA), stepped down from his position at UGA to become the initial chancellor of the entire system.[4]

The 1932 Annual Report for the Board stated outstanding debts of $1,074,415.[4] Over the next few years the USG endeavored to transform the state's institutions of higher learning, reorganizing schools, merging and closing others and transforming course offerings and curriculum.

In 2013, eight institutions were merged into four.

In 2013, the Board of Regents voted to approve a proposal to consolidate Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University, effective January 2015. The merged university retained the name Kennesaw State University.[5]

In 2015, the Board of Regents voted to approve a proposal to consolidate Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College under the name Georgia State University, to take effect in early 2016.[6] Later that year, they approved the renaming of Middle Georgia State College as Middle Georgia State University, to take effect in July 2015.[7]

Georgia Research Alliance

The Georgia Research Alliance is an Atlanta, Georgia-based nonprofit organization that coordinates research efforts between Georgia's public and private sectors. While GRA receives a state appropriation for investment in university-based research opportunities, its operations are funded through foundation and industry contributions. In its first 19 years, GRA leveraged $525 million in state funding into $2.6 billion of additional federal and private investment.

The Alliance has played a key role in building a reputation for Georgia as a center of discovery and invention, as evidenced by several major advances in science, medicine and technology. In 2007, GRA coalesced the strengths of several universities into a focused research effort built around new types of vaccines and therapeutics. As a result, Georgia is now leveraging these strengths and embarking on a major initiative to explore new ways to marshal the human immune system to fight disease.[8]

GRA Eminent Scholars

GRA Eminent Scholars are top scientists from around the world recruited by the Georgia Research Alliance. For each scholar, GRA invests $750,000 for an endowment, an amount that the research university matches in private funds on a minimum 1-1 basis. GRA also makes investments in developing the world-class research laboratories the scientists need. Eminent Scholars often bring a research team, significant federal funding and private support for their research. Georgia’s investment in GRA Eminent Scholars has yielded more than $1 billion in outside grants and contracts for the state and helped to launch some 35 companies.

GRA's Cancer Initiative

After 10 years as an independent nonprofit organization, the Georgia Cancer Coalition became an initiative of the Georgia Research Alliance on January 18, 2012. The move was part of a larger effort to align Georgia’s economic development assets in a more effective way.

Over the past decade, the Coalition has sparked discovery through its Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists; promoted cancer prevention and education through six regional coalitions; expanded access to cancer clinical trials through its partner enterprise, Georgia CORE; and coordinated development of a statewide tissue and tumor bank.

As a GRA initiative, the program will continue as its collaborative efforts to address some of the most pressing issues pertaining to cancer prevention, treatment and research.

GRA VentureLab

The Georgia Research Alliance set out to help launch companies around Georgian university research results, GRA launched its lead commercialization program, VentureLab, in 2002.[9]

GRA also works with established Georgia companies through the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Centers of Innovation in aerospace, logistics, life sciences, energy, agriculture and advanced manufacturing. The COIs help find technology solutions to industry challenges, in part by connecting companies to leading-edge research at Georgia's universities.

From 2002 to 2010, GRA directed $19 million of state funding into VentureLab. During that time, more than 700 university inventions or discoveries have been evaluated for commercial potential. More than 107 active companies have been formed, which employ more than 650 Georgians. These companies have also attracted $460 million in equity investment and generated $77 million in revenue.[10]

GRA Centers of Research Excellence

To support each GRA program, the Alliance invests in advanced technology needed to make the breakthrough discoveries that lead to the launch of new companies and the creation of jobs. This combination of tools and scientific talent has made Georgia home to dozens of Centers of Research Excellence. Centers of Research Excellence are collaborative and individual efforts that focus on one area of scientific research.[11]

List of institutions

Institution Location Founded USG Designation[12] President[13] Enrollment[14]

(Fall 2014)

Budget[15]

(FY 2013)

Campus size as of 2012

(main campus only)

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Atlanta 1885 Research University G. P. "Bud" Peterson 23,108 $1,173,600,248 400 acres (1.6 km2)
University of Georgia (UGA) Athens 1785 Research University, Flagship University[16][17] Jere W. Morehead 35,197 $1,201,462,537 759 acres (3.07 km2)
Georgia Regents University (founded as Medical College of Georgia) Augusta 1828 Research University Ricardo Azziz 8,530 $729,111,083 485 acres (1.96 km2)
Georgia State University (GSU) b Atlanta 1913 Research University Mark P. Becker 32,556 $745,754,593 48 acres (0.19 km2)
Georgia Southern University (GA Southern) Statesboro 1906 Comprehensive University Brooks A. Keel 20,542 $317,928,202 700 acres (2.8 km2)
Kennesaw State University (KSU) Kennesaw 1963 Comprehensive University Daniel S. Papp 32,500 c $334,780,810 384 acres (1.55 km2)
University of West Georgia Carrollton 1906 Comprehensive University Beheruz Sethna 12,206 $172,798,643 645 acres (2.61 km2)
Valdosta State University Valdosta 1906 Comprehensive University William J. McKinney 11,563 $200,243,178 168 acres (0.68 km2)
Albany State University Albany 1903 State University, HBCU Everette J. Freeman 3,910 $86,981,360 232 acres (0.94 km2)
Armstrong State University Savannah 1935 State University Linda M. Bleicken 7,094 $100,145,087 268 acres (1.08 km2)
Clayton State University Morrow 1969 State University Thomas J. "Tim" Hynes 7,022 $95,664,212 163 acres (0.66 km2)
Columbus State University Columbus 1958 State University Timothy S. Mescon 8,192 $114,567,890 132 acres (0.53 km2)
Fort Valley State University Fort Valley 1895 State University, HBCU Larry Rivers 2,594 $97,501,467 630 acres (2.5 km2)
Georgia College & State University (GCSU or Georgia College) Milledgeville 1889 State University Steve Dorman 6,772 $118,297,278 602 acres (2.44 km2)
Georgia Southwestern State University Americus 1906 State University Kendall Blanchard 2,666 $47,154,213 325 acres (1.32 km2)
Savannah State University Savannah 1890 State University, HBCU Cheryl D. Dozier (interim) 4,915 $96,739,846 165 acres (0.67 km2)
University of North Georgia (formerly North Georgia College and State University and Gainesville State College) Dahlonega 1873 State University Bonita Jacobs 16,064 $102,719,045 630 acres (2.5 km2)
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton 1908 Four-Year State College David C. Bridges 3,458 $46,362,570 516 acres (2.09 km2)
Atlanta Metropolitan College Atlanta 1974 Four-Year State College Gary McGaha 3,033 $32,940,857 79 acres (0.32 km2)
Bainbridge State College Bainbridge 1970 Four-Year State College a Richard A. Carvajal 2,470 $37,832,604 173 acres (0.70 km2)
College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick 1961 Four-Year State College Gregory F. Aloia 3,008 $40,783,295 193 acres (0.78 km2)
Dalton State College Dalton 1963 Four-Year State College John O. Schwenn 4,854 $48,620,345 146 acres (0.59 km2)
Darton State College Albany 1963 Four-Year State College Paul Jones (interim) 5,623 $56,485,982 186 acres (0.75 km2)
East Georgia State College Swainsboro 1973 Four-Year State College Robert G. Boehmer (interim) 2,910 $28,935,327 227 acres (0.92 km2)
Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville 2005 Four-Year State College Daniel J. Kaufman 10,828 $110,013,508 250 acres (1.0 km2)
Georgia Highlands College Rome 1970 Four-Year State College J. Randy Pierce 5,365 $43,422,668 200 acres (0.81 km2)
Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) b Decatur 1964 Four-Year State College Rob Watts (interim) 21,371 $195,704,235 100 acres (0.40 km2)(Dunwoody campus)
Gordon State College Barnesville 1852 Four-Year State College Shelley C. Nickel (interim) 4,047 $50,123,832 125 acres (0.51 km2)
Middle Georgia State Colleged (formerly Macon State College and Middle Georgia College) Macon 1884 Four-Year State College Christopher Blake 7,927 $109,922,257 167 acres (0.68 km2)
South Georgia State College (formerly South Georgia College and Waycross College) Douglas 1906 Four-Year State College Virginia M. Carson 2,611 $36,633,333 190 acres (0.77 km2)
Total 312,936

USG schools ranked by academic measures

The institutions below are ranked by average SAT score of first-time freshman for the 2012-2013 academic year. A first-time freshman describes a student entering a 4-year college or university for the first time. These figures do not include transfer, dual enrolled, post-baccalaureate or non-traditional students. First-time freshman account for the majority of the student population at a 4-year college or university.[19] Two public institutions, the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, are ranked in the top 100 in the annual U.S. News & World Report college rankings.[20]

(NOTE: The reported values are as reported by the USG's annual report, minor variations may exist when comparing to other college search publications such as Collegeboard)

Institution Average SAT(CR+Math) score of entering freshman(2012)[21] Average GPA of entering freshman(2012)[22] Average acceptance rate(2012)[23] 6-year graduation rates(2006-2012)[24] First-time freshman retention rate (2012)[23]
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) 1365e 3.76c 55% 80.75% 95%
University of Georgia (UGA) 1238e 3.76d 56% 83.92% 94%
Georgia College and State University (Georgia College or GCSU) 1160 3.42 Not reported 75.46% 86%
Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) 1141 3.28 79% 48.75% 75%
University of North Georgia (UNG) 1117 3.51 56% 63.08% 78%
Georgia Southern University (GA Southern) 1115 3.18 52% 60.51% 77%
4-year institution USG average 1110 3.12 74%
Kennesaw State University (KSU) 1089 3.20 57% 51.47% 76%
Georgia State University (GSU) 1082 3.33 57% 57.77% 83%
Armstrong Atlantic State University 1016 3.16 70% 40.86% 69%
Valdosta State University 1015 3.12 59% 52.32% 67%
National average 1010[25] 58%[26] 77.1%[27]
Columbus State University 987 3.10 53% 41.35% 67%
Georgia Southwestern State University 987 3.23 66% 39.85% 63%
Augusta State University 985 3.03 54% 33.96% 67%
University of West Georgia 965 3.08 56% 46.40% 70%
Clayton State University 947 3.0 39% 36.96% 66%
Albany State University 890 2.92 29% 46.01% 65%
Savannah State University 867 2.74 Not reported 38.02% 72%
Fort Valley State University 844 2.76 41% 33.82% 60%

USG research universities ranked by endowment and research expenditure

Two out of four USG research universities are ranked among the top 25 research universities in the nation.[30] The University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology are consistently ranked in the top percentile of research institutions. Both schools are considered to be Public Ivies, a designation reserved for top public universities in the United States.

Rank Institution Endowment Funds (2012)[31] Federal research grant award (2008)[32] Total research expenditure FY 2009[33] Institution research funds (NSF FY 2009)[33] Economic impact(2013)[34] Number of GRA Eminent Scholars(2013)[35] Number of GRA VentureLab companies(2013)[36] Number of Centers of Research Excellence(2013)[37] Graduate student enrollment (2012)
1 Georgia Institute of Technology $1,608,248,000 $281,184,000 $561,631,000 $167,766,000 $2.6 billion 23 10 9 7,030
2 University of Georgia $744,305,000 $102,817,000 $349,730,000 $186,998,000 $2.3 billion 15 4 7 8,260
National Average $490,946,000
3 Georgia Regents University* $117,426,000 $39,486,000 $65,473,000 $20,581,000 1.8 billion 6 1 3 6,245
4 Georgia State University $112,455,000 $26,257,000 $60,557,000 $27,975,000 1.6 billion 5 0 3 7,427

Rank of Georgian College and Universities by Rhodes Scholars (private and public)

49 Rhodes Scholars came from a Georgia college or University.

Rank Institution Number of Rhodes Scholars[38]
1 University of Georgia 22
2 Emory University f 17
3 Georgia Institute of Technology 3
4 Morehouse College f 3
5 Mercer University f 2
6 Agnes Scott College f 1
7 Berry College f 1

Rank of Georgian College and Universities by Truman Scholars (private and public)

Since the scholarship was enacted in 1977, 49 Truman Scholars came from a Georgian college or University. 25 scholars came from a USG institution.

Rank Institution Number of Truman Scholars[39]
1 University of Georgia 17
2 Emory University f 9
3 Georgia Institute of Technology 7
4 Spelman College f 7
5 Agnes Scott College f 5
6 Mercer University f 1
7 Morehouse College f 2
8 University of West Georgia 1

Rank of Georgian College and Universities by Marshall Scholars (private and public)

The University of Georgia and Georgia Tech rank among top 10 public universities receiving Marshall scholars. Since 2001, Georgia Tech students have received 8 Marshall Scholarships and UGA has received 5 ranking 2nd and 6th respectively for most Marshall Scholars.[40]

Rank Institution Number of Marshall Scholars[38]
1 Georgia Institute of Technology 8
2 University of Georgia 5

Rank of Georgian College and Universities by Fulbright Scholars (private and public)

In 2012, University of Georgia and Emory University ranked in the top percentile of doctoral/research institutions producing Fulbright Scholars.[41] 38 Fulbright scholars came from Georgian institutions.

Rank Institution Number of Fulbright scholars(2012-2013)[42][43][44]
1 University of Georgia 13
2 Emory University f 11
3 Spelman College f 5
4 Agnes Scott College f 4
5 Georgia Institute of Technology 2
6 Mercer University f 2
7 Georgia College & State University 1

See also

References

  1. "Statement on UGA President Mike Adams". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  2. "UGA/GRU Medical Partnership: About". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  3. "State’s 31 Public Colleges and Universities Have a $14.1 Billion Economic Impact - Newsroom - University System of Georgia". Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Fincher, Cameron (2003). Historical Development of the University System of Georgia: 1932-2002 (2nd Ed. ed.). Athens, Georgia: Institute of Higher Education, University of Georgia. p. 3. ISBN 1-880647-06-0.
  5. "Regents Approve Kennesaw State, Southern Polytechnic Consolidation". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  6. "Regents Approve Proposal to Consolidate Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  7. Lee, Maggie (2015-03-18). "Regents approve university status for Middle Georgia State College". The (Macon) Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  8. "About us". GRA. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  9. "GRA helps fuel the launch of companies". Georgia Research Alliance. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  10. "VentureLab: A pipeline of opportunity". Georgia Research Alliance. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  11. "Program Inititatives". GRA. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  12. "Board Meeting - May 2013" (PDF). University System of Georgia. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  13. Presidents of the Colleges & Universities of the USG
  14. "Fall 2014 Semester Enrollment Report Enrollment, FTE, and Full-Time Status" (PDF). USG 2014 Enrollment Report. University System of Georgia. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  15. "University System of Georgia All Budgets For Fiscal Year 2013" (PDF). USG 2013 Budget release. University System of Georgia. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  16. "Statement on UGA President Mike Adams". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  17. "UGA/GRU Medical Partnership: About". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  18. "GSU and Perimeter College to merge". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  19. "Glossary of Terms and Services". USC. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  20. "National University Rankings". 2014 Rankings. US News & World Report. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  21. "USG 2012 SAT Scores: First - Time Freshmen - SER Definition who Matriculated in Fall 2012" (PDF). University System of Georgia. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  22. "High School GPA for First - Time Freshmen - IPEDS Definition" (PDF). University System of Georgia. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  23. 23.0 23.1 "2012 Big Future: College Search". Collegeboard. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  24. "USG: By the Numbers". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  25. "Average Scores". Collegeboard. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  26. "Fast Facts". NCES. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  27. "Retention Rates - First-Time College Freshmen Returning Their Second Year". HigherEd Today. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  28. "Freshman Application". Georgia Institute of Technology. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  29. "First Year Class Profile". University of Georgia. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  30. "The Top American Research Universities: 2011 Annual Report" (PDF). ASU. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  31. "U .S. and Canadian Institu tions Listed by Fiscal Year 201 2 Endowment Market Value and Percent age Change* in Endowment Market Value from FY 2011 to FY 2012" (PDF). NACUBO. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  32. "The Top American Research Universities: 2010 Annual Report" (PDF). ASU. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  33. 33.0 33.1 "TABLE 26. R&D expenditures at universities and colleges, by state, control, institution, and science and engineering field: FY 2009" (PDF). National Science Foundation. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  34. "State’s 31 Public Colleges and Universities Have a $14.1 Billion Economic Impact". University System of Georgia. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  35. "Scholars". Georgia Research Alliance. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  36. "VentureLabs". Georgia Research Alliance. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  37. "Research Centers". Georgia Research alliance. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  38. 38.0 38.1 . Rhode Scholars http://www.rhodesscholar.org/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. "Meet Our Scholars". Truman.gov. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  40. "State University Leaders in Recent Marshall Scholarships". Public University honors. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  41. (PDF). Chronicle of Higher Education http://us.fulbrightonline.org/uploads/files/top_producing/2012-13/doctoral2012.pdf. Retrieved 3 May 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  42. "DOCTORAL/RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING FULBRIGHT AWARDS FOR 2012 ‐ 2013" (PDF). http://us.fulbrightonline.org. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  43. "MASTER’S INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING FULBRIGHT AWARDS FOR 2012 ‐ 2013" (PDF). fulbrightonline.org. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  44. "BACHELOR’S INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING FULBRIGHT AWARDS FOR 2012 ‐ 2013" (PDF). Fulbright. Retrieved 3 May 2013.

External links