Rivals Back Study Commission on College Mergers

A lawmaker who wants to merge two historically black colleges in Georgia with nearby predominantly white institutions has teamed up with the head the state’s Legislative Black Caucus in calling for a study committee to examine the move.

State Sens. Seth Harp and Emanuel Jones are backing a resolution recognizing the importance of the historically black schools. The resolution introduced Thursday also calls for a panel to
investigate consolidating colleges in the state.

Harp, a Republican from Midland, has said the state should look at merging the schools in Savannah and Albany to save money in tough budget times. Harp says the schools are a vestige of the
state’s Jim Crow laws.

Jones has argued the schools have a rich heritage and educate those who otherwise might not attend college.