By Kevin Hogencamp
In one fell swoop on Tuesday, to the delight of local economic development proponents, Darton State College was born.
Overcoming a tumultuous uphill battle that underscores the Albany community’s racial divide, Darton was given the right Tuesday by the Georgia Board of Regents to offer a four-year degree in nursing. The decision is projected to net a $300 million economic impact over 10 years – about half as much as Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s financial contribution to the community, local and state officials say.
With a huge notch in its belt, the Committee for Economic Development (CED) – a grass-roots group that pressed the state college designation with Darton officials, state Rep. Ed Rynders and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce – soon will take on two new causes: Extending the interstate highway system to Albany and invigorating downtown development.
“There is a lot of work to do in this community. We’re not stopping here,” said the CED’s spokesman, Glenn Tennyson.
Albany State University officials, who opposed Darton competing for nursing students, had no comment Tuesday on the Regents’ decision, said ASU spokesman Joseph West.
ASU is a historically black institution; Darton’s student population is about 45 percent black. Most opponents of Darton’s four-year status are black supporters of ASU who say that Darton’s gain would be ASU’s loss. In spite of Darton being nearly equally split by race, the Legal Defense Coalition for the Preservation of Public HBCUs has said it may sue the Board of Regions if it approved Darton’s four-year status because it would create “duplication among black and white institutions in the same service areas.”
“I am very appreciative of the Board of Regents for the approval of changing Darton’s mission from a two year college to a state college,” Darton President Peter Sireno said Tuesday. “I am also appreciative for their vote to approve Darton’s first baccalaureate program, RN to BSN. I would like to thank the community, Citizens for Economic Development, and our local legislators, particularly Ed Rynders, without their support this would not have been possible.”
Darton officials and supporters say the college’s steady growth, buoyed by the Regents’ decision Tuesday, could push Darton’s enrollment to more than 11,000 students within 10 years.
“I think it was a historic event and the beginning of a great new future for Albany over the next decade to 20 years,” Tennyson said. “If you look at the type of growth that Georgia Southern and Valdosta State have had over the last 20 years, there’s no reason to think Darton won’t follow that projector.
“The Regents simply looked at it from the need. Their decision was based on data and the need. The Regents made it clear that there were no political headwinds or tailwind at all. Proper credit needs to be given to Ed Rynders. He was able to see the benefit and put aside any sort of political contest. He had the backbone to know that this was for the greater good of the community. And I just can’t say enough good things about the Chamber of Commerce and its leadership.”
The state college sector, established in 1998, categorizes two-year, associate-degree granting institutions that have been authorized by the Board to offer a limited number of four-year baccalaureate degree programs. The University System of Georgia’s (USG) other institutional categories are research universities, regional universities, state universities, and two-year colleges. With Tuesday’s actions, there are now 12 USG institutions in the state college sector.
Two of the mission changes – at Darton College and Georgia Highlands College – reflect the regents’ ongoing focus on meeting the growing need and ongoing shortages of healthcare professionals in Georgia, specifically in nursing. Both institutions currently offer associate’s level nursing programs. The Board’s approval will allow them to offer a bachelor of science in nursing degree, targeted to existing holders of a registered nurse license and associate’s degree who wish to complete a bachelor’s degree.
In 2006, the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that Georgia would have a deficit of nearly 38,000 registered nurses by 2020, absent any action by state leaders. Further, a 2010 report from the Institute of Medicine indicated the need for each state to raise the credentials of its nursing workforce towards the baccalaureate degree to improve quality of care, and reduce medical errors and costs.
A review of registered nurse job openings at area hospitals in Darton’s service area found that about 232 registered nurse positions exist at various hospitals and health-related agencies. Darton’s new nursing program will help to increase the production of nurses in the region, complementing the existing efforts of both Albany State University and Georgia Southwestern State University’s nursing degree programs.
The start date for five new bachelor’s degree programs at the four institutions will vary, dependent upon review and approval from the relevant accrediting organizations. Darton plans to begin its four-year nursing program in fall 2013.
Following are additional reactions to the Regents’ decisions provided to The Albany Journal:
Rynders, R-Leesburg: “I’m thrilled to death. It’s a longtime coming. We worked closely with the University System of Georgia. We made the case. I’m just so pleased and grateful that they did the right thing … One of the problems in this world is everybody is involved in good, old-fashioned turf wars, not just limited to secondary education. But if we’re going to move forward as a community, we’ve got to stop worrying about turf wars and start doing what’s right for the people. And there’s nothing wrong with giving students a choice.”
Catherine Glover, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce president: “The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to hear that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted to approve a four-year nursing program at Darton College. This move will serve to enhance the nursing programs already in place at Albany State University and Georgia Southwestern. Nurses play a vital role in any hospital system and with the number of nursing positions growing in our area statewide as well as nationally, Darton will be able to add to the supply of well-trained health care providers.”
Rick Doherty, Darton College Foundation chairman: This is a great day for Albany. We made a very strong, data driven case to the Board of Regents based on the needs of our community. The Board’s approval to change our institutional mission to that of a state college is a huge step toward meeting specific job related and economic development needs in our area.”
Watts, USG chief operating officer: “The Board’s actions reflect the evolving role of our access institutions as we identify specific job-related and economic development needs throughout the state. Officials at these institutions have made a strong and data-driven case to the Board for the mission change and for the needs in these communities for specific baccalaureate degree programs.”
Bo Henry, restaurateur and musician: I think it’s great for all parts of Albany and I think it’s just a step in the right direction for this whole area of southwest Georgia.
Gretchen Gay, activist: I’m just thrilled for Darton and the other three colleges. As my grandmother would have said to those who may not approve, ‘If you don’t like the heat, get out of the kitchen.’”
Gayla Catrett, Darton College graduate: “It’s about time. I hope that this will open the door to more four-year degree programs being offered at Darton.
Billy Mathis, attorney: “It’s a great day for the Albany community.”
The Albany Journal solicited on-the-record feedback communitywide on Facebook; no opponents of the Board of the Regents’ offered comments.
Darton College nursing students celebrate during the pinning ceremony held Thursday in the Cavalier Arena. The Board of Regents agreed Tuesday to allow Darton to offer four-year nursing degrees, signaling what proponents say will be a huge economic boon for Albany.
