09 LC
25 5485S
The
Senate Higher Education Committee offered the following substitute to SR
140:
A
RESOLUTION
Acknowledging
the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and
creating a Senate Study Committee on Consolidation of Institutions of Higher
Education; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
recent proposals calling for the Board of Regents of the University System of
Georgia to merge Savannah State University with Armstrong Atlantic State
University and Albany State University with Darton College have been met with
public criticism and outcry; and
WHEREAS,
HBCUs provide an environment in which traditionally African American students
thrive and have access to a high quality education; and
WHEREAS,
HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the community as well
as the entire nation; and
WHEREAS,
the importance of HBCUs extends beyond the students they educate, as they
contribute substantially to economic growth and continually work to improve the
economic health of the neighborhoods surrounding the school; and
WHEREAS,
the current economic downturn has opened the discussion on merging four higher
education institutions located in close proximity to each other in order to
reduce administrative costs and eliminate the duplication of similar services
and programs; and
WHEREAS,
a study of the necessity for consolidating Savannah State University with
Armstrong Atlantic State University, Albany State University with Darton
College, and other Georgia HBCUs with nearby counterparts and the resulting
impact of such mergers would assist this body's future consideration of these
issues.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study
Committee on Consolidation of Institutions of Higher Education to be composed of
three members of the Senate and four members of the public appointed by the
President of the Senate, who shall include one member of the Georgia Legislative
Black Caucus committee on education. The President of the Senate shall
designate the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education as
chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the
committee.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the issues
referred to above. Furthermore, the committee shall recommend any action or
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem
necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its
powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this
resolution. Legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances
provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member
of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized.
The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come
from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a
report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed
legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 15, 2009.
The committee shall stand abolished on December 15, 2009.