Wednesday, September 10, 2003
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Wednesday, September 10, 2003 |
Clayton State's record growth has university's president eyeing FayetteBy J. FRANK
LYNCH
Clayton College & State University's "profoundly positive outlook" and growth on several fronts may spill over into Fayette County sooner than anyone thinks. In his annual State of the University address, delivered by President Dr. Thomas K. Harden Sept. 2 to about 250 faculty and staff members in the University's world-famous Spivey Hall, Harden touched on both the highlights of the past few years, and where the University is headed in the future. An area of great concern is growth or, rather, where the college will find room to grow. Clayton State's fall enrollment set a record with a 5,678 students, topping the spring 2003 semester's total of 5,555. The school is on track to reach "7 in 7" (7,000 students by 2007) two years early, said Harden. But the 163-acre main campus in Morrow is famous for its heavy growth of pines and other native plants, which Harden assured would not be cut down. Instead, he suggested, Clayton State will continue to develop alternative sites, including the Fayette County Higher Education Center, which began offering credit courses this fall in space donated by the Peachtree City Tennis Center. "The Fayette County site needs to expand ... dramatically," Harden said, a comment that suggests the university and the state Board of Regents might be willing to fast-track building a permanent branch campus in the county. Virgil Christian, executive director of the Peachtree City Tennis Center and one of the instrumental players in bringing the satellite credit courses to Fayette County, sees nothing but promise in the arrangement so far. "They've been great, a professional group to work with and it's been great seeing a whole different group of Peachtree City residents taking advantage of the Tennis Center," Christian said. A total of 36 students are enrolled for the fall term in Peachtree City, taking one of four core courses that meet in two-hour blocks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. "All in all, a good start," said university spokesman John Shiffert, who suggested Fayette Countians not put the cart before the horse. "President Harden says that expanding our presence there is a direction we need to go, but that there have not, as yet, been any specific plans made," said Shiffert. "So, at this moment, there exists no further specific information." The statement was based more on the general need to find areas where the college can expand beyond its main campus, and Fayette County is a logical first step. If the number of Fayette County students enrolled at the main campus in Morrow is an indication, there's certainly a draw that would only benefit a "branch" campus somewhere in the county. "Fayette is traditionally our third-largest 'feeder' county," said Shiffert, after Clayton and Henry. More than 1,000 alumni live in Fayette County, he said. "Our desire to serve our community in Fayette County is also a factor in the University moving in this direction," Shiffert said. "Clayton State needs to grow, and off-campus sites like Fayette are where we will grow. There's only so much you can squeeze on to 163 acres." The college classroom space, underneath the Tennis Center pro shop and restaurant and originally designed to be leased out as professional office space, is instead being rented to Clayton State for $1 a year, Christian said, under an arrangement worked out between the Fayette County Development Authority, the Development Authority of Peachtree City, the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and the Peachtree City Council. "When we look back 10 years from now, this will be seen as one of the best things the development authority (of Peachtree City) has ever done," Christian said, adding that at the expected rate of growth, the space at the Tennis Center will prove inadequate in a couple of years. Within 10 years, Christian envisions a college campus centrally located, accomodating 2,000 or more students. The availability of college credit courses is important to the folks who work to bring industry to Fayette County, Christian explained, because many companies today put heavy weight on the availibility of higher education when deciding to relocate to an area. "For a business to want to relocate here, we are going to have to have to see some kind of higher education center here within five years," said Christian, adding Fayette County's demographics already reflect an educated population that would embrace a local college if it were available. "I want to bring a higher educational component to the people of Fayette County. It's long overdue," said Christian. "It's going to happen."
Clayton State distances itself from county school controversy
It is an uncomfortable but necessary task of late for officials at Clayton College & State University explaining to outsiders and potential students the difference between the university and the Clayton County public schools. The county school board has been engulfed in controversy since last January, when it fired the superintendent illegally. The reprecussions have led to recall attempts, visits from Jesse Jackson and the potential loss of accreditation to all the county's schools. If that happens, 2004 graduates from Clayton's eight high schools wouldn't be eligible for HOPE scholarships. To ease concerns when they arise, University President Thomas K. Harden prepared an official statement explaining the school's position: "Clayton College & State University is a senior unit of the University System of Georgia. As such, Clayton State is not affiliated with the Clayton County Public Schools, which is responsible for K through 12 education in the county. "The University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. The University is a member institution in good standing with the Commission and is currently preparing for its regular decennial review with the Commission, which is scheduled to occur in 2004."
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