University System of Georgia

The University System of Georgia (USG) is the government agency that includes 26 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 the 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 sixth largest university system in the United States by total student enrollment, with 344,392 students in 26 public institutions as of 2023.<ref name="Torres" /> USG institutions are divided into four categories: research universities, regional comprehensive universities, state universities, and state colleges.

The system designates four institutions as "research universities": Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Georgia, Augusta University, and Georgia State University.Template:NoteTag<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The University of Georgia is the state and system's flagship university, the state's oldest institution of higher learning, and one of the state's two land-grant universities.<ref name="University System of Georgia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="UGA/GRU Medical Partnership: About">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After its 2016 merger with Georgia Perimeter College, Georgia State University became the largest institution of higher learning in the USG until 2024, with over 50,000 students. University of North Georgia is the state's designated military school. There are three historically black schools housed within the USG: Savannah State University, Albany State University, and the state's second land-grant university, Fort Valley State University.

In 2012, all USG institutions combined had a $14.1 billion economic impact on the state of Georgia. Georgia Tech in Atlanta and University of Georgia in nearby Athens 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 the University of Georgia. Georgia State University's central campus in Atlanta had a $1.6 billion economic impact with 13,736 jobs; given its merger with Perimeter College, with an economic impact of $600 million, Georgia State's overall economic impact on the Atlanta metro area is $2.2 billion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

Early years

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.<ref name=HistDevUSGp3>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name=HistDevUSGp3/>

Governor Richard Russell Jr.'s initial appointees included Cason Jewell Callaway Sr., 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.<ref name=HistDevUSGp3/>

The 1932 Annual Report for the Board stated outstanding debts of $1,074,415.<ref name=HistDevUSGp3/> Over the next few years the USG endeavored to transform the state's institutions of higher learning by reorganizing schools, merging and closing others and transforming course offerings and curriculum.

Modern history

In 2011, Chancellor Hank Huckaby recommended four consolidations among eight institutions, which would be implemented in 2013. The same year, the Board of Regents adopted six "Principles for Consolidation", which has led to multiple consolidations in the subsequent years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of 2018, these consolidations have decreased the number of USG colleges and universities from 35 to 26.<ref name=":1"/>

In Fall 2018, the university system saw enrollment reach an all-time high of 328,712 students enrolled across the system's 26 colleges and universities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On March 6, 2019, an Atlanta court upheld a USG policy barring unauthorized immigrants from attending Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and the University of Georgia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In regards to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the USG decided against making wearing face coverings mandatory for the Fall 2020 semester<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> before deciding to mandate them.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On April 1, 2022, former Georgia Governor and United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue became the system's 14th Chancellor.<ref name="Perdue Chancellor" /> That same month, the system was censured by the American Association of University Professors over changes to tenure protections.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Former institutions	Successor institution	Date effective	Ref.
Gainesville State College	University of North Georgia	January 8, 2013	<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
North Georgia College and State University
Augusta State University	Georgia Regents University (now Augusta University)	January 8, 2013	<ref name=":0" />
Georgia Health Sciences University
Waycross College	South Georgia State College	January 8, 2013	<ref name=":0" />
South Georgia College
Macon State College	Middle Georgia State College (now Middle Georgia State University)	January 8, 2013	<ref name=":0" />
Middle Georgia College
Kennesaw State University	Kennesaw State University	January 1, 2015	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Southern Polytechnic State University
Georgia State University	Georgia State University	January 6, 2016	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Georgia Perimeter College
Albany State University	Albany State University	January 1, 2017	<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Darton State College
Armstrong State University	Georgia Southern University	January 1, 2018	<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Georgia Southern University
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College	January 1, 2018	<ref name=":1" />
Bainbridge State College
East Georgia State College	Georgia Southern University	January 1, 2026, pending SACSCOC approval	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Georgia Southern University

Additionally, the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography was aligned with the University of Georgia, which became effective July 1, 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.

In 2007, GRA coalesced the strengths of several universities into a focused research effort built around new types of vaccines and therapeutics.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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. 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.Template:Cn

GRA's Cancer Initiative

Georgia Cancer Coalition logo

Georgia Cancer Coalition logo

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.

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.Template:Citation needed

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

GRA Centers of Research Excellence

Centers of Research Excellence are collaborative and individual efforts that focus on one area of scientific research.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

List of institutions

Institution	Location	Founded	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	President<ref name="USG Pres Dir">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Current enrollment<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> (Spring 2024)	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> (FY 2021)	Campus size as of 2012 (main campus only)
University of Georgia (UGA)	Athens	1785	Research University, Flagship University<ref name="University System of Georgia"/><ref name="UGA/GRU Medical Partnership: About"/>	Jere W. Morehead	40,790	$1,558,226,395	Template:Convert
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech or GT)	Atlanta	1885	Research University	Ángel Cabrera	47,654	$1,510,374,562	Template:Convert
Georgia State University (GSU)	Atlanta	1913	Research University	M. Brian Blake	46,775	$1,106,026,046	Template:Convert
Augusta University (AU)	Augusta	1828	Research University (Medical College)	Brooks A. Keel	9,865	$1,054,151,344	Template:Convert
Kennesaw State University (KSU)	Kennesaw	1963	Regional Comprehensive University	Kathy "Kat" Schwaig	42,818	$563,280,305	Template:Convert
Georgia Southern University (GS)	Statesboro	1906	Regional Comprehensive University	Kyle L. Marrero Template:NoteTag	24,212	$455,213,623	Template:Convert
University of West Georgia (UWG)	Carrollton	1906	Regional Comprehensive University	Christopher "Mike" Johnson	14,394	$234,539,249	Template:Convert
Valdosta State University (VSU)	Valdosta	1906	Regional Comprehensive University	Richard Carvajal	9,488	$176,844,807	Template:Convert
University of North Georgia (UNG)	Dahlonega	1873	State University	Michael P. Shannon	16,723	$258,787,844	Template:Convert
Georgia College & State University (GCSU or Georgia College)	Milledgeville	1889	State University	Cathy Cox	6,393	$146,309,378	Template:Convert
Columbus State University (CSU)	Columbus	1958	State University	Stuart Rayfield	7,099	$129,665,352	Template:Convert
Albany State University (ASU)	Albany	1903	State University, HBCU	Marion Ross Fedrick	6,079	$119,792,815	Template:Convert
Middle Georgia State University (MGA)	Macon	1884	State University	Christopher Blake	7,612	$110,908,811	Template:Convert
Clayton State University (CSU)	Morrow	1969	State University	Georj Lewis	5,609	$96,249,315	Template:Convert
Savannah State University (SSU)	Savannah	1890	State University, HBCU	Cynthia Robinson Alexander (Interim)	2,762	$92,513,032	Template:Convert
Fort Valley State University (FVSU)	Fort Valley	1895	State University, HBCU	Paul Jones	2,462	$68,289,237	Template:Convert
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSSU)	Americus	1906	State University	Neal Weaver	3,159	$48,341,923	Template:Convert
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC)	Lawrenceville	2005	State College	Jann L. Joseph	11,135	$163,116,366	Template:Convert
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC)	Tifton	1908	State College	Tracy Brundage	3,371	$57,021,063	Template:Convert
Georgia Highlands College (GHC)	Rome	1970	State College	Mike Hobbs	4,796	$50,687,699	Template:Convert
Dalton State College (DSC)	Dalton	1963	State College	John M. Fuchko, III (Interim)	4,479	$49,149,588	Template:Convert
Gordon State College (GSC)	Barnesville	1852	State College	Donald J. Green (Interim)	2,880	$41,856,545	Template:Convert
College of Coastal Georgia (CCG)	Brunswick	1961	State College	Michelle R. Johnston	2,968	$40,544,120	Template:Convert
East Georgia State College (EGSC)	Swainsboro	1973	State College	VacantTemplate:NoteTag	1,538	$31,438,842	Template:Convert
South Georgia State College (SGSC)	Douglas	1906	State College	Gregory M. Tanner (Interim)	1,697	$29,381,320	Template:Convert
Atlanta Metropolitan State College (AMSC)	Atlanta	1974	State College	Ingrid Thompson-Sellers	1,563	$26,632,097	Template:Convert

USG designations

USG classifies its institutions into four "functional sectors" based on each institution's specific mission and function:<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

• Research University: Doctoral-granting institutions classified by the Carnegie Classification as "very high" or "high" research activity (R1 and R2, respectively).Template:NoteTag
• Regional Comprehensive University: Institutions that offer undergraduate and master's-level degrees with some master's-dominant graduate programs.
• State University: Institutions that offer associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees with limited, select doctoral programs.
• State College: Institutions that offer bachelor's and associate degrees with no graduate programs.

See also

• Student Advisory Council of Georgia – An organizational body composed of the student government presidents at each of the University System's institutions
• Technical College System of Georgia – A separate post-secondary education system which oversees Georgia's technical colleges
• List of colleges and universities in Georgia – A list of all colleges and universities in the state of Georgia

External links

• Template:Official website