Georgia Regents to Align Colleges’ Missions With System Goals

The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents on Wednesday adopted a new “institutional function and mission policy” that seeks to ensure that the missions of each of the state’s 31 public colleges and universities are in line with the system’s broader goals.

In a news release, the system said it will classify the institutions into one of four “sectors": research universities, comprehensive universities, state universities, and state colleges. The regents will determine an institution’s mission and sector by examining four factors: its academic programs, selectivity, geographic area of responsibility, and emphasis on research, teaching, and service. Each institution will be required to develop programs to support its mission and sector, as part of the system’s broader goals.

Henry M. (Hank) Huckaby, the system’s chancellor, said that given the system’s size, the demands placed upon it, and the reality of finite resources, “we need to have a structure that clearly defines what institutions do and the types of programs and areas that are appropriate.”

The board approved the new policy as it also adopted a new strategic plan. Elements of the plan focus on increasing access to higher education while maintaining affordability and quality; contributing to economic development through expanded research efforts, graduate education, and international programs; and improving accountability, efficiency and Innovation.