The System Supplement A report of the Georgia Board of Regents Vol. 44, No. 1 January 2007 "Creating a More Educated Georgia" Annual `State Of The System' Address Chancellor Davis: University System is a `Healthy, Growing, Dynamic Enterprise' Citing strong state funding support and growing enrollments, University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. informed the Board of Regents in January that Georgia's public higher education system is a "healthy, growing, dynamic enterprise," which, however, faces a number of key challenges if its 35 col- See Governor's Budget Recommendations, p. 5 leges and univer- sities are to meet a goal of "educating more Georgians to higher levels than in the past." While he noted that external help will be needed to help meet some of these challenges, Davis called upon the regents and the System's presidents, faculty and staff to assume the key responsibility. "It is we who must do the heavy lifting," he said. Davis' remarks came in the annual "State of the System" address provided each January to update the Board of Regents and University System employees, students, and constituents on the progress made and challenges ahead for Georgia's public higher education system. Davis, who completes his first year as chancellor next moth, and who is the first chancellor appointed from the corporate sector, had a strong customer focus in his remarks. "The bottom line is our customers want and expect us to educate them and their children well," he said. "Expectations also are high for the System to both boost the state's economy and provide solutions for the problems of Georgia's communities," Davis said. In terms of education, Davis outlined three goals: admit more students; keep those students in college, and graduate more students. The broad plan to achieve these goals will focus on increasing access to public higher education, maintaining affordability, and providing clear accountability for the use of the resources provided to the System. Looking ahead, Davis noted a number of key challenges with which the board and System must deal in order to meet the overall goals of admitting, retaining, and Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. delivers his first State of the System Address on Jan. 16. graduating more students. These include: Balancing access and retention: Davis noted efforts to improve the System's retention rates and his work with Georgia's other education agency heads to ensure more students are See "State of the System" Page 2 ... University System Marks 75 Years of "Transforming Lives" Gov. Sonny Perdue, former President Jimmy Carter, author Flannery O'Connor, golfer Larry Nelson, and journalist Charlayne Hunter Gault share a common association all were students or graduates of the University System of Georgia, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this month. A legacy of what University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. termed "lives transformed by public higher education" is at the core of the mission of the state's 35 public colleges and universities. Davis' comment came during a presentation at the January meeting of the Board of Regents outlining milestones of the System's first three-quarters of a century. The Board of Regents held its first meeting, on Jan 1, 1932, signaling the creation of a unified system of public higher education for Georgia that consolidated the powers of multiple boards of trustees under a single governing Board of Regents, appointed by the governor. Prior to the Reorganization Act of 1931 that created the Board of Regents, all public colleges and universities in Georgia were independent and were funded separately by the General Assembly. See "75 Years" Page 4 ... State of the System Continued from P. 1 ... prepared for postsecondary education. Graduation rates: the System's six-year graduation rate is 49 percent, but Davis said that institutions are meeting the board's goal of improving graduation rates by one percent per year. Increasing efficiency and productivity: New methods for financial reporting, new budgeting procedures and a focus on the productivity of back office operations have already begun. The System's energetic launch of Gov. Sonny Perdue's Customer Service Initiative is being used to create an ongoing continuous improvement environment, the chancellor noted. Developing a System-based strategic focus: The System's leadership team and the Board of Regents are currently developing a strategic plan for the University System that will provide a framework for longterm action on the System's challenges and mission. Distance learning and educational technology: citing the recent report of U.S. Department of Education Commissioner Margaret Spellings, Davis noted that higher education has not done a good job investing in or using technology for innovation in teaching and operations. He promised a greater focus on this challenge in the coming year. Keeping pace with growth: The System currently has a $3.4 billion projected need for new facilities over the next ten years. Enrollment in the System also is expected to increase by an additional 100,000 students by 2020. Davis said efforts to ensure capital needs are met and students graduate on time will be critical in managing growth. Davis also cited some key indicators of strength from the past year. Overall enrollment in the System hit a record high for fall 2006 of almost 260,000 students, a 2.5 increase over fall 2005. Since 1998, the System has added 59,843 students, or an overall increase of 30 percent. "To put this in perspective, that is the equivalent of adding a University of Georgia and a Georgia State over the last eight years," Davis said. The current fiscal year state appropriation for the University System was $1.9 billion, which included full funding for enrollment growth and $310 million in bonds for needed facilities and repair and renovation efforts for existing buildings. The System opened its 35th institution in fall 2006 Georgia Gwinnett College. This institution is poised to boost not only the number of graduates produced, but also will contribute to the System's overall economic value to the state, which in a 2006 study was estimated to be $23.3 billion annually. Davis also cited the guaranteed tuition plan, passed by the regents in April 2006, as a significant step toward ensuring continued college affordability for Georgians. Q Board of Regents Membership Changes Due to Redistricting Redistricting has caused some changes to the membership of the Board of Regents. As a result of the rearrangement of the state's congres- sional districts, three regents left the board as of Jan. 1. Gov. Sonny Perdue announced one new appointment to the board days later and is expected to name two more new regents shortly. Bishop The departing regents include Michael J. Coles of Kenne-saw, Julie Ewing Hunt of Tifton and former board Chair J. Timothy Shelnut of Augusta. Perdue appointed James "Jim" A. Bishop, an attorney with The Bishop Law Firm in Brunswick, in time for him to attend the January board meeting. Bishop, a Sea Island resident who has practiced law continuously in Brunswick and throughout southeast Georgia since 1967, will represent the First Congressional District. Bishop is the immediate past chairman of the United States District Court Advisory Committee for the Southern District of Georgia. He also is a former chairman of the State Bar of Georgia Commission on Continuing Lawyer Competency and the Governor's Judicial Selection Committee and a former president of the State Bar of Georgia Younger Lawyers Section, the Brunswick Bar Association and the Brunswick Judicial Circuit Bar Association. Bishop currently is chairman of the boards of directors of the Coastal Bank of Georgia and the Southeast Georgia Hospital Foundation and a member of the board of directors of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He received his jurisprudence degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia. Redistricting also has shifted the districts that several of the current regents represent and also altered atlarge status for some. Here is a list of regents by district, as of Jan. 1, 2007: 1st District: James A. Bishop, Sea Island 2nd District: Doreen Stiles Poitevint, Bainbridge 3rd District: Allan Vigil, McDonough 4th District: Wanda Yancey Rodwell, Stone Mountain 5th District: Elridge W. McMillan, Atlanta 6th District: VACANT 7th District: Richard L. Tucker, Duluth 8th District: W. Mansfield Jennings Jr., Hawkinsville 9th District: James R. Jolly, Dalton 10th District:Patrick S. Pittard, Lakemont 11th District:Willis J. Potts Jr., Rome 12th District:Benjamin J. Tarbutton III, Sandersville 13th District:VACANT At-Large: Hugh A. Carter, Atlanta At-Large: William H. Cleveland, Atlanta At-Large: Robert F. Hatcher, Macon At-Large: Felton Jenkins, Madison At-Large: Donald M. Leebern Jr., Columbus Q -- 2 -- USG in the News Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) ranks No. 1 in the nation in the number of bachelor's degrees awarded to AfricanAmerican students in engineering technology fields, according to the latest edition of Profiles of Engineering and Engineering Technology Colleges. Published by the American Society for Engineering Education, the report also lists SPSU as No. 5 in the number of engineering technology degrees awarded to women. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine ranks the University of Georgia 10th in its just-released list of the best values among 100 public colleges and universities in America. Institutions that made the list "combine outstanding economic value with a first-class education," according to the magazine, which ranks UGA's costs for in-state students third lowest among the top 10 colleges and universities. Georgia Tech was No. 13 on Kiplinger's "Best Values" list and Georgia College & State University was No. 79. Q The System Supplement John Millsaps ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR Diane Payne PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR To Provide Feedback write to: diane.payne@usg.edu ON CAM Georgia HERO Scholarships Helping to Educate U.S. Military Reservists and their Offspring Thousands of Georgia residents who've seen combat while in the own education or have their children apply for it, this is an excellent reward Georgia National Guard or the U.S. for the service they gave their nation." Military Reserves, as well as their offspring, may qualify to receive up to $8,000 each to attend college in the University System of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education or an eligible private college or university. To qualify, Georgia residents must be active members of the Georgia National Guard or the U.S. Military Reserves who have served in a combat zone for at least 181 consecutive days since May 3, 2005. Depending on when they The Georgia HERO "We are were born, the children of (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) extremely eligible servicemen and those killed in action, Scholarship Program has been providing educational grant assistance to U.S. grateful for the totally disabled, or evacuated prior to completing 181 consecutive days in a servicemen and women and their children since sacrifices combat zone, also are eligible for the HERO award. March 2006. To date, more than 200 scholarships totaling nearly $400,000 have been awarded. made by our returning heroes." Soldiers and eligible offspring may receive up to $8,000 for four years of undergraduate study $2,000 per academic "We are extremely Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna school year for each quali- grateful for the sacrifices fying term of service made by our returning served in a combat zone. heroes and want to encourage them to take full advantage of this opportunity to continue their education, said Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, interim executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer for the University System. "Whether guard members or reservists Full details of the Georgia HERO Scholarship Program, a list of eligible colleges and universities and an online scholarship application are available in the "For Students" section at www.Gacollege411.org Q use the scholarship to further their Presidential Searches Launched at GSW and SSU In January, Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, University System of Georgia interim executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, announced the appointment of the committees charged with assisting in the selection of new presidents for Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and Savannah State University (SSU). National searches are being conducted to replace: GSW President Michael L. Hanes, who retired in mid-January after serving more than 10 years in the position; and SSU President Carlton Brown, who stepped down from his position of nine and a half years at SSU at the end of December to assist Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. in the implementation of a major initiative for the University System of Georgia. Sethna charged the campus-based Presidential Search and Advisory Committees in early January and identified the members of the Special Regents' Committees. These two committees will guide the first two stages of each search. The Presidential Search and Advisory Committees are developing position descriptions and placing announcements in appropriate national media. The search process also includes generating the names of qualified candidates, screening applicants and conducting on-campus interviews. Q NGCSU Breaks Ground on 'Rec Deck' Regent Felton Jenkins of Madison spoke at a groundbreaking ceremony in December for a $24.6 million recreation center and parking deck at North Georgia College & State University, a project that marks the start of more than $50 million in new construction and renovation projects for the Dahlonega campus over the next two years. Q -- 3 -- M P U S President's Choice Scholars Two University System of Georgia students will be honored as President's Choice Scholars during the USG Foundation's Third Annual Regents Awards for Excellence in Education Celebration on March 3. Doug Jackson of the University of Georgia (UGA) and Bryan Wiltgen of Kennesaw State University (KSU) will deliver the welcoming remarks at the event, which raises funds for each USG institution to offer these academic-merit scholarships. The two seniors will represent the two institutions hosting the celebration of education and all of the System's Presidential Choice Scholars in welcoming those who attend the blacktie function at downtown Atlanta's Hyatt Regency. Doug Jackson of Round Oak, Ga. Jackson is a candidate for a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and a master of science in physical chemistry at UGA this spring and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in analytic chemistry next. He is UGA's first Hoover Scholar, having bested outstanding students nationwide for the award of one $25,000 scholarship from the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation in 2006-2007. This award recognizes academic ability and leadership in a field that helps law enforcement officials in their criminal investigations. Jackson also Jackson received a 2006-2007 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships in the country for undergraduates in mathematics, science and engineering. Not many undergraduates can compete with Jackson's accomplishment of having published three papers in international journals as first author. Bryan Witgen of Woodstock, Ga. Wiltgen is a candidate for a degree in computer science at Kennesaw State. He plans to use the President's Choice Scholarship money he will receive to pursue gradu- ate studies after he graduates in the fall. Wiltgen arrived at KSU through the Joint Enrollment Transfer Students pro- gram, which allows academically qualified students to enroll in college courses during their last year of high school. While at KSU, he has served as a research assistant and programmer for the university's Department of Computer Science. Wiltgen has received recognition as a Wiltgen KSU honors student and was named to the President's List in 2005 and 2006. He is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. Q GGC Receives first Major Gift The Mealor family of Lawrenceville, longtime Gwinnett County residents, entrepreneurs, and business owners, recently gave the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation $150,000, its first major financial gift. GGC President Daniel J. Kaufman termed the gift "a historical milestone for the college," the newest institution in the Uni-versity System. Pictured left to right are: Mrs. Carolyn Mealor Streetman, Kaufman, Glad Mealor and Sidney Mealor. Q 75 Years Continued from P. 1 ... At its inception, the University System of Georgia comprised 26 colleges and universities enrolling approximately 6,000 students; today the System's 35 institutions serve 260,000 students and more than one million Georgians through continuing education. A study in 2006 put the System's annual economic contributions to the state at $23.3 billion. In addition, each of the System's approximately 35,000 annual graduates is projected to generate an additional $1 million in income during his/her working lifetime. Today, the Board of Regents' status gives it great flexibility in allocating funding, setting policy, and managing public higher education to quickly respond to state needs. Davis noted that Georgia's investment in public higher education has not been without struggle and debate. The System was created in the depths of the Great Depression and survived this economic ordeal. Successive boards have managed explosive growth following WWII, in the 1970's and in the late 1990's, political challenges to academic independence, desegregation in the 60's and 70's, and today, the need to prepare more Georgians for a global, highly educated workforce. "The System's success is based upon the state's wise and continued investment in improving the lives of Georgians through accessible, affordable public higher education," Davis said. "For 75 years, the University System of Georgia has fulfilled its mission, thanks to the strong support of both the executive and legislative branch, and the dedication of the 182 individuals who have served on the Board of Regents, 11 chancellors and the many individuals who have served as institution presidents, faculty and staff." Two publications offer historical background on both the Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia. These can be accessed at: http://www.usg.edu/pubs/bor70th/ and http://www.usg.edu/pubs/bor75th/. Q -- 4 -- Legislature Asked to Consider Full Formula Funding, Salary Increases for USG $228M Bond Package, $10M in Start-up Funds for Georgia Gwinnett College Also on Table Improving education continues to be one of Gov. Sonny Perdue's highest priorities, and he offered strong support for the needs of the University System of Georgia (USG) in his Fiscal Year 2008 Budget recommendations in January. Educational improvement is "the single most important factor in the future prosperity of the state," the Governor declared. Perdue's proposals which would increase the Board of Regents' operating budget by $200 million, if backed by the Georgia General Assembly included $80 million to fully fund the formula (an increase in formula funds sparked by the University System's enrollment growth) and a 3 percent merit salary increase. The Governor also proposed a $228 million bond package to fund the System's most critical new construction and renovation projects. In addition, Perdue recommended funding totaling $10 million as a start- up investment for Georgia Gwinnett College and $3.8 million for the expansion of the Medical College of Georgia. The Governor also recommended $17.5 mil- lion in cash and $42.5 million in bonds for the USG's Maintenance, Repair and Rehabilitation (MRR) funding in FY 2008, a move applauded by Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. when he appeared before the Joint Approp- riations Committee on Jan. 17. Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. (center of photo) answers questions from the leadership of the Joint Appropriations "The University Sys- Committee following his presentation. tem is the state's largest owner of buildings, and MRR funds are ate the Governor recognizing this and critical to our effective stewardship of recommending shifting MRR bond funds these facilities," Davis said. "Therefore to cash over a four-year period." Q it is important that MRR funds be pro- vided in the base budget. We appreci- Governor's FY 2008 Recommendations at a Glance Total increase in operating budget Total capital projects (bond funds) $200.0 million $228.0 million Highlights from the Operating Budget FY 2008 formula increase Phase in MRR over four years to cash Georgia Gwinnett College start-up funds Medical College of Georgia expansion $80.0 million $17.5 million $10.0 million $3.8 million Salary increase 3 percent merit salary increases effective Jan. 1, 2008 $24.0 million Highlights from the Capital Budget Majors: Equipment funds 1. Georgia College & State University Parks Nursing Center $1.0 million 2. University of West Georgia Health Wellness Center $3.0 million 3. N. Georgia College & State University Library/Tech Center $2.0 million Majors: Construction funds 1. Savannah State University Academic Classroom Building 2. Macon State College Professional Sciences Center 3. Fort Valley State University Academic Classroom Building 4. University of Georgia College of Pharmacy $12.7 million $22.2 million $16.8 million $37.2 million Majors: Strategic Priorities 1. Kennesaw State University Health Sciences Building 2. Georgia Gwinnett College Library $42.5 million $28.3 million Maintenance, repair and rehabilitation (MRR) $42.5 million ($17.5 million in cash; $42.5 million in bonds; total $60 million) -- 5 -- Chancellor Davis Fine-Tunes Senior Staff Structure In January, Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. announced several staff changes and appointments involving senior-level and key strategic positions in the University System Office. The staffing changes include: The position of chief of staff, currently held by Rob Watts, will be merged into the position of chief operating officer, which has been held on an interim basis since August 2006 by Thomas E. Daniel. Watts will be responsible for two-year and state colleges, and the offices of the board, legal affairs, facilities, business and fiscal affairs, health and life plans and the public libraries. Daniel will resume his primary responsibilities as senior vice chancellor for external affairs, with a focus on external activities and the offices of economic development and media and publications. Beheruz Sethna will continue in his current role as interim chief academic officer and executive vice chancellor with responsibilities for the comprehensive university sector and the office of academic affairs. Daniel, Sethna and Watts all will report directly to Davis. John Millsaps has been named associate vice chancellor for media and publications. Millsaps had been serving in an interim role in this position since August 2006. Millsaps reports to Daniel. In announcing the changes, Davis noted that the staff changes are based upon the changing internal needs and external circumstances for the University System office. "Our structure will never be fixed or Stonsetatic," he said in the announcement to office staff. "At this time, some fine-tuning of the organization is appropriate." Davis said that Daniel had done "an excellent job" in the interim chief operating officer capacity, but with the General Assembly in session and with expanded plans on the federal level, the chancellor concluded that the University System would be best served by having Daniel focus all his attention on key government and private sector partners. Also in January, Interim Chief Academic Officer Sethna announced his appointment of Dr. Sandra S. Stone, formerly acting vice president for academic affairs at the University of West Georgia (UWG) in Carrollton, as vice chancellor for academic planning and programs for the University System. Stone's appointment, which was effective Jan. 2, fills the vacancy created by the departure in December of Dr. Frank Butler, who had served as vice chancellor for academic planning and programs since July 2001. Stone who had taught criminal justice in UWG's Department of Sociology/Criminology since 1996 was responsible for a $40 million budget in providing leadership for the university's academic colleges, honors program, graduate school, special projects, distance education, off-site programs, etc., during 2006. From 2002 to 2006, she served as UWG's associate vice president for academic affairs. Before her arrival at UWG in 1996 as an assistant professor of sociology, Stone served as director of planning and research for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice from 1992 to 1996. For more background information on Stone, please read the online news release at www.usg.edu/news/2007/010407.phtml Q BOARD OF REGENTS Allan Vigil McDonough CHAIR William H. Cleveland, M.D. Atlanta VICE CHAIR James A. Bishop Sea Island Hugh A. Carter, Jr. Atlanta Robert F. Hatcher Macon Felton Jenkins Madison W. Mansfield Jennings Jr. H a w kinsville James R. Jolly Dalton Donald M. Leebern Jr. Columbus Elridge W. McMillan Atlanta Patrick S. Pittard Lakemont Doreen Stiles Poitevint Bainbridge Willis J. Potts Jr. Rome Wanda Yancey Rodwell Stone Mountain Benjamin Tarbutton III Sandersville Richard L. Tucker Duluth OFFICERS Erroll B. Davis Jr. CHANCELLOR Julia Murphy SECRETARY TO THE BOARD William R. Bowes TREASURER BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA OFFICE OF MEDIA AND PUBLICATIONS 270 Washington Street, S.W. Atlanta GA 30334 Presort Standard U.S. POSTAGE PA I D Permit No. 342 Atlanta, GA 30334