Chancellor Hank Huckaby to recommend consolidation of Albany State University, Darton State College

ALBANY — As first reported Friday on albanyherald.com, University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby will recommend the consolidation of Albany State University and Darton State College. The recommendation will be made at the University System of Georgia Board of Regents monthly meeting in Atlanta on Tuesday.

According to USG Vice Chancellor for Communications Charles Sutlive, the chancellor also will recommend making ASU Interim President Art Dunning permanent president of the combined institution, and will recommend naming Darton Interim President Paul Jones as the new president of Fort Valley State University.

“We have said all along that there would be more consolidations on the way,” Sutlive said. “We thought long and hard in regard to this particular merger. We now have a track record of of successful consolidations behind us.

“We recognize this is a historic milestone for Albany State University,” he said. “We remain committed to serve the HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) mission and we are looking to serve an increasingly diverse population and community.

“We also recognize the role Darton State College has played in providing certificates and associates degrees for the community.”

Sutlive said the chancellor would recommend the consolidated institution keep the Albany State University name and added it would have, a current enrollment numbers, 8,963 students, which would make it one of the largest institutions of higher education in South Georgia.

Reached for comment, Dunning said he would rather wait until after the Regents meeting on Tuesday before commenting.

The chancellor’s office released the following statement later Friday afternoon: “Chancellor Hank Huckaby plans to recommend to the Board of Regents the consolidation of Albany State University (ASU) and Darton State College (DSC). The consolidation of the two institutions is to increase educational attainment levels, student success and transform how the University System impacts southwest Georgia. The proposed consolidation is a long-term investment in the region.

“If approved, the new institution will be named Albany State University. Chancellor Huckaby also plans to recommend to the board that Albany State Interim President Art Dunning be named as the permanent president of Albany State and to lead this bold new effort.”

“We are committed to the long-term health of public higher education in southwest Georgia and our partnership with the Albany community,” Huckaby said. “The University System is committed to strengthening the region through a long-term investment in public higher education in southwest Georgia.”

If the Board of Regents approves the recommendation, an implementation team with representatives from both institutions will soon be formed and charged with the responsibility to work out the many details associated with consolidating the two institutions, the statement added.

“If the Regents approve this consolidation, I hope the community will come together and support one entity under a single university,” said state Rep. Darrel Ealum, an Albany Democrat whose district includes ASU.

State Sen. Freddie Powell-Sims, D-Dawson, said, “I think it is important to remember as of now this is just a potential merger, it still has to be approved by the BOR. I do know if it is approved it is going to be very difficult to satisfy all parties involved. Also keep in mind, we are not losing anything and it is our job that every citizen who is eligible for college has the opportunity to get an education and have the opportunity for a better life.

“If it takes place, I think it will be good for Albany, Dougherty County and Southwest Georgia as a whole.”

State Rep. Winfred Dukes, an Albany Democrat whose district includes Darton, is taking a wait-and-see attitude.

“Like everything in life, it has its advantages, disadvantages, and the devil is in the details.,” Dukes said. “I want to know how it is going to benefit Darton and how it will benefit Albany State. If it adds value to both schools, then that’s a good thing. And if it doesn’t add value, we will address it.”

Sutlive said the University System, Albany State and Darton State will hold campus and community listening sessions in the coming months to seek input on ways to best design the new institution to serve Albany, the region and the state.