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Consolidation Implementation Committee Approves Four Recommendations

 

UPDATE – March 3, 4 p.m.

Consolidation Implementation Committee Approves Four Recommendations

Earlier today, the Armstrong State University/Georgia Southern University Consolidation Implementation Committee (CIC), met and approved four recommendations submitted by various Operational Working Groups (OWG).

The approved recommendations include the following:

  • Naming of Campuses in Savannah and Hinesville: The Georgia Southern University campus located in Savannah will be formally named the Armstrong Campus; the Georgia Southern campus located in Hinesville will be formally named the Liberty Campus.
  • Naming of Current Buildings: All named structures currently existing on the Armstrong campus will retain their historic names.
  • Transfer Status for Student-Athletes: Student athletes will be immediately issued open transfer status by Armstrong’s athletic administration, with the exception of softball, whose playing season is currently in progress. When softball season has concluded, the participating student-athletes will immediately be issued an open transfer status by Armstrong’s athletic administration. This will ensure that student-athletes do not lose any eligibility.
  • Athletics Scholarships: All athletics-related scholarships for affected student-athletes will be honored, provided students are making satisfactory academic progress. This plan will allow student-athletes who are affected by the consolidation to continue their education without bearing an additional financial burden.

On Jan. 11, 2017, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted to consolidate Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University, ultimately creating a new Georgia Southern University with three campus locations in Savannah, Hinesville and Statesboro. Consolidation Implementation Committee members, Functional Area co-chairs and Operational Working Groups uniting Armstrong and Georgia Southern faculty and staff are currently examining and working through all aspects of the consolidation.

For updates regarding the consolidation between Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University, please visit consolidation.georgiasouthern.edu.

 

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March 3, 10 a.m.

Consolidation Implementation Committee to Review Four Recommendations

The Armstrong State University/Georgia Southern University Consolidation Implementation Committee (CIC) will review four key recommendations developed by the Operational Working Groups at its meeting today regarding the naming of campuses and support for student athletes.

Preserving the name and legacy of Armstrong State University is a priority for the CIC and will be an important part of the new Georgia Southern University. These recommendations reflect the views of the campus community, including Armstrong’s alumni leaders.

“We are pleased to be moving forward with recommendations focusing on the naming of the Savannah and Hinesville campuses as well as athletics,” said Georgia Southern University President Jaimie L. Hebert. “We are grateful to Armstrong’s alumni, students, faculty and staff, who played an important role in developing and vetting the naming recommendation that will be reviewed by the Consolidation Implementation Committee. This is a prime example of the great care and concern that goes into decisions at every stage of this process.”

In addition, the Athletics working group has worked diligently to form recommendations concerning athletics to ensure that student-athletes have the information needed to make informed decisions about their athletic and academic careers.

“Providing answers to questions affecting Armstrong’s student-athletes, including scholarships as well as transfer status, has been a high priority for the Consolidation Implementation Committee,” said Armstrong State University President Linda M. Bleicken. “We want to ensure that our student-athletes have as many options as possible as the consolidation process moves forward. I am grateful for the collaboration between Armstrong and Georgia Southern representatives as we work to combine the strengths of two impressive institutions with a shared commitment to student success.”

At today’s CIC meeting, the following recommendations will be presented for consideration:

Naming of Campuses in Savannah and Hinesville: The Savannah campus of the new Georgia Southern University will be formally named the Armstrong Campus and the Hinesville campus will be formally named the Liberty Campus.

Name Preservation: All named structures at Armstrong State University will retain their names after consolidation.

Athletic Scholarships: All athletics-related scholarships for affected student athletes will be honored, provided students are making satisfactory academic progress. This plan will allow student athletes who are affected by the consolidation to continue to pursue their college degree at Armstrong and the new Georgia Southern University.

Transfer Status for Division II Student-Athletes: The new Georgia Southern University will compete in Division I athletics. Armstrong State University currently competes in Division II athletics. Student-athletes at Armstrong will be immediately issued open transfer status by Armstrong’s athletic administration, with the exception of softball, whose playing season is currently in progress. When softball season has concluded, the participating student athletes will immediately be issued an open transfer status by Armstrong’s athletic administration. Open transfer status means student athletes do not have to sit out a year if they have the opportunity to play for another college or university.

Detailed information regarding scholarships and transfer status will available on the consolidation website, http://consolidation.georgiasouthern.edu/. Decisions about Armstrong State’s 2017-2018 athletic season and the long-term plan for intercollegiate athletics on the current Armstrong campus will be made at a later date.

On Jan. 11, 2017, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted to consolidate Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University, ultimately creating a new Georgia Southern University with three campus locations in Savannah, Hinesville and Statesboro. The Consolidation Implementation Committee, Functional Area co-chairs and Operational Working Groups uniting Armstrong and Georgia Southern faculty and staff will spend the coming months examining and working through all aspects of the consolidation.

The CIC will submit, for consideration, a prospectus for the new university to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in September 2017 and to the Board of Regents in December 2017. If approved, the effective start date for the new institution will be January 2018. The tentative timeline for the first entering class of the new Georgia Southern University will be in fall of 2018.

ABOUT GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY:
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

ABOUT ARMSTRONG STATE UNIVERSITY:
Armstrong State University, part of the University System of Georgia, was founded in 1935. Today, the university offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate academic programs in the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Technology, the College of Education and the College of Health Professions. Armstrong serves approximately 7,100 students at its main campus in Savannah and at a regional center in Hinesville. The university’s diverse student population comes from 43 states, the District of Columbia and 67 countries. Visit Armstrong.edu.

 

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