College students today have many things to be stressed about; the rising cost of tuition, picking the right classes, and choosing the right major. Students should not have the added stress of their school being absorbed by the institution across town.
All of us here at KSU were shocked when we heard that we were merging with Southern Polytechnic State University, but the union between the two universities is going to impact metropolitan Atlanta in a positive manner. By the time our grandchildren graduate from high school, Atlanta can potentially be known as a hub for higher learning.
KSU should be happy to merge with a school that has such a rich history. SPSU was born out of necessity and used to benefit the surrounding community. According to SPSU’s web page the institution was “founded in 1948 as a two-year division of Georgia Institute of Technology, SPSU was established at the request of Georgia business and industry.”
In recent Georgia history other universities have merged to form a new body. Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University merged to form Georgia Regents University in 2012. GRU said the university is a $1 billion dollar enterprise with statewide and national influence. A degree from GRU represents immeasurable advances to the state and is nationally respectable.
SPSU students do have a right to be upset. The associated press said, “The consolidated school will keep Kennesaw State’s name, and its president, Dan Papp, will serve as president of the consolidated school.” At face value, this appears to be a hostile takeover but this an opportunity to build a nationally renowned university. However, it would be fair if a new campus was built and a new name for the university was approved.
I personally want to welcome SPSU students to our KSU family. The two schools coming together will be a tall task but it ultimately has the potential to become a major institution in our country similar to GRU. It will not be an easy transition and many students will be disgruntled, but we have to come together to make it work.
Brandon White, Junior
Communication Major
