North Georgia College Consolidation - Say It's Not So

The news broke in the paper this morning - North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville College are being combined. Unfortunately, the media broke the story before the faculties of either institutions were notified of the proposed unification.

Just what does this mean to Dahlonega and Beyond? So many unanswered questions:

• What curriculum/degree programs will be eliminated at North Georgia College?
• How many, if any, teaching jobs will be lost?
• What's going to happen to the ROTC program? Where will it be based?
• What's this new 'combined' university going to be called?
• What services will be duplicated? What ones eliminated?
• How will this impact the city of Dahlonega and the area dependent on the university for jobs, revenues, and community support?
• Did the Board of Regents even talk to leaders in the communities impacted by this change?
• Will the state really save any money by combining these two schools?
• Are the students who live in the mountain areas of North Georgia going to have to drive another 30 minutes to Gainesville to take a college class?

Since this story is just 'breaking', we're hoping that the Board of Regents, Dr. Bonita Jacobs, North Georgia president, and others quickly will have answers to our many questions and help allay our community's fears and anxieties. We'll keep you posted on what the powers to be have to say. Read more.