The University System of Georgia

The University System of Georgia includes all state-operated institutions of higher education in Georgia. These institutions are located throughout the state. For the most current information, visit http://www.usg.edu/inst.

A 19-member constitutional Board of Regents governs the University System, which has been in operation since 1932. Appointments of Board members are made by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. The regular term of Board members is seven years.

The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, and other officers of the Board are elected by the members of the Board. The Chancellor, who is not a member of the Board, is the chief executive officer of the Board and the chief administrative officer of the University System.

The overall programs and services of the University System are offered through three major components: Instruction; Public Service/Continuing Education; Research.

Instruction consists of programs of study leading toward degrees, ranging from the associate (two-year) level to the doctoral level and certificate.

Requirements for admission of students to instructional programs at each institution are determined, pursuant to policies of the Board of Regents, by the institution. The Board establishes minimum academic standards and leaves to each institution the prerogative to establish higher standards. Applications for admission should be addressed in all cases to the institutions.

Public Service/Continuing Education consists of non-degree activities, primarily, and special types of college-degree-credit courses.

The non-degree activities are of several types, including short courses, seminars, conferences, lectures, and consultative and advisory services, in a large number of areas of interest. These activities, typically of short duration, are designed by each institution to satisfy special educational, informational, and cultural needs of the people of the service area of that institution.

Typical college-degree-credit public service/continuing education courses are those offered through extension center programs and teacher education consortiums.

Research encompasses investigations conducted primarily for discovery and application of knowledge. These investigations, conducted on campuses and at many off-campus locations, cover a large number and a large variety of matters related to the educational objectives of the institutions and to general societal needs.

Most of the research is conducted through the universities; however, some of it is conducted through several of the senior colleges.

The policies of the Board of Regents for the governing, managing, and controlling of the University System and the administrative actions of the Chancellor provide autonomy of high degree for each institution. The executive head of each institution is the President, whose election is recommended by the Chancellor and approved by the Board.

State appropriations for the University System are requested by, made to, and allocated by the Board of Regents. The largest share of the state appropriations is allocated by the Board for instruction.