Hispanics Enrolled In State Colleges Spikes

A report from the Southern Regional Education Board shows that the number of Hispanic students enrolled in Georgia's colleges has grown by almost 150 percent (about 7,700
students)from 1997-2007. The report released on Monday predicts the trend will continue, requiring colleges to develop programs to attract and keep the Hispanic students.

The trend is expected to accelerate as Hispanic students represent a larger portion of Georgias public high school graduates. According to the report, they were four percent of the states graduates in 2005, but are projected to be 24 percent in 2022.

Joe Marks, director of education data services for SREB, says the future for Georgia's colleges will depend on how well they respond to Hispanic students.
--Associated Press--

Lawmaker suggests merging black, white colleges

A state lawmaker told Georgia college leaders Monday they need to look at merging public historically black colleges with nearby white-majority schools to help meet budget
cuts.

Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Seth Harp told University System of Georgia officials during a budget hearing that the move also would help close the "ugly chapter" of segregation in Georgia. The Republican from Midland suggested combining historically black Savannah State University with nearby Armstrong Atlantic University, and historically black Albany State University would merge with Darton College.

University system Chancellor Erroll Davis told lawmakers that such move would face strong opposition.

Like most state agencies and departments, Georgia's public colleges are facing budget cuts of up to 10 percent this year.

(AP)

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