Regents Approve KSU Merger With Southern Poly

As expected, the Georgia Board of Regents on Tuesday approved a merger between Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University.

The vote came after protests by Southern Poly students and officials unhappy, among other things, that the new institution would be named Kennesaw State University.

Hank Huckaby, the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, who proposed the merger, said in a statement Tuesday that "this decision is the right move in the long-term interests of students and the state. 

"The new Kennesaw State University will be in a strong position to broaden its academic and research mission and expand its scope not just locally and statewide, but nationally. We are confident that the unique degree programs at Southern Polytechnic will be enhanced and strengthened.”

(Here's the full release)

The new university would build on KSU's present status as the third-largest public university in Georgia (behind the University of Georgia and Georgia State University), enrolling more than 31,000 students.

In addition to the loss of autonomy and name, Southern Poly protesters also have asserted that the academic mission of the Marietta school -- which is heavy on science, technology and engineering fields -- is incompatible with the general education offerings of KSU.

They also don't like the secretive nature of the consolidation proposal, which took many at Southern Poly, including President Lisa Rossbacher, completely by surprise.

The move is the latest by Huckaby to consolidate Georgia public universities and technical schools over the last two years for budgetary reasons.  

The consolidation process would take place over the next year. 

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools also must approve the consolidation plan.