KSU and SPSU merger

Budget cuts. A phrase that we have grown far too accustomed to hearing. The government is shutdown, budget cuts. The military is cut in half, budget cuts. People can't get food stamps or federal aid, budget cuts. Schools in Georgia are being consolidated....budget cuts.

In January of this year eight schools in Georgia were merged into four due to these budget cuts. Now even though the state has four less universities in the system, taxpayers are not saving any money. When the decision was made to merge these schools, Chancellor Hank Huckaby said, "More mergers are possible. It is not off the table but no decisions have been made yet". 

Fastforward to November, almost one year later, and a decision has been made to merge two more schools in the state. The plan is to merge Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University. The new school would keep KSU's name and President. 

The news of the merger brought a lot of opposition, mostly from students at SPSU. Southern Poly and Kennesaw State are very different types of schools. Southern Poly is an engineering school while Kennesaw State is a liberal arts school. Most of the students at Kennesaw believe that they will benefit from the merger because it will bring more disciplines and revenue to the school. Students at Southern Poly believe much differently. Number one, they are afraid it will take away from the prestige of the school and of the degrees that they have earned. Although President Papp, from KSU has assured students that the quality of education will not be changed. Secondly, they are afraid about the enviroment of their school changing so drastically. Southern Poly is a very small school compared to Kennesaw State, they have 5,000 students while KSU has abour 31,000 making it the third largest school in Georgia. Students at SPSU have smaller class sizes and know their teachers on a first name basis, something that students at KSU aren't accustomed to. 

There are groups on facebook and rallies that are being held by the students that will try and bring attention to the problems this will cause for the students and teachers at both schools. But how much good will these things really do? 

The students are trying to be heard and trying to have an opinion on what will affect them, but ultimately the State Board of Regents will vote and make this decision. Will they keep the students interests in mind or is it all about money?

http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/23865382/students-concerned-over-ksu-southern-poly-merger
http://www.macon.com/2013/11/03/2753905/hundreds-sign-petition-against.html
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/regents-give-final-ok-to-merge-georgia-colleges/nTqH4/