ABAC sees slight enrollment increase in spring 2017 semester

TIFTON — Classes resumed Monday at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a slight enrollment increase over spring term in 2016.

“On the first day of classes on Monday, we had around 3,158 students, which would give us another enrollment increase,” Director of Enrollment Management Donna Webb said.

That represents a 1.15 percent increase from the 3,122 students who enrolled for spring term last year.

Enrollment officials say the college has students from all but five of Georgia’s 159 counties, 20 states in addition to Georgia and 28 countries. The college has seen enrollment increases in three of the past four years.

Last week, the University System of Georgia chancellor announced that on Wednesday he will recommend that ABAC merge with Bainbridge State College, which is located about 85 miles southwest of Tifton. If approved by the Board of Regents, the earliest that the merger would go into effect is January 2018. The consolidated institution would retain the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College name.

Spring term continues through May 2, with final exams starting May 3. The campus will be closed Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and spring break is set for March 13-17.