Kerry Laster
kmlaster@valdosta.edu

VSU rolled out the red carpet for the new Chancellor. Erroll B. Davis Jr., chancellor for the university system Georgia, met with President Ronald Zaccari, SGA and the faculty senate Monday as part of a state wide tour of all 35 institutions in Georgia. “He wanted to know where we thought the school was going,” Keith Flemming, president for SGA, said.

Diana Hansard, secretary for SGA, said, “He seemed very concerned with students needs. I was highly impressed with him.”

Dr. Zaccari said, “He listens, he is learning and he is very systematic with his decision-making.” Dr. Zaccari also talked about a new state tuition program created by the Board of Regents and backed by Gov. Sonny Perdue called the “Fixed for Four Program.” The new program would allow any student enrolled in any state institution to have the same tuition cost for four years after their enrollment.

This means that the price for tuition when a student enters college will stay the same for that student the rest of his or her academic career with that school if they finish in four years.

“We think it is a good idea as far as helping parents and students plan,” Dr. Zaccari said.

One of the goals of the program is to encourage students to graduate on time.

Still, what has not been determined is what the program will do with the students who take longer than four years to graduate, transfer schools or who withdraw and decide to come back to school later.

The program is schedule to take effect this fall and hinges on financial support from the governor and state lawmakers, who recently gave the program an additional $120 million in funding.

And in a twist of irony due to the program, tuition for this fall is expected to increase seven percent for out-of-state students, 4 to 5 percent for in state students and three percent for two year institutions. The chancellor plans to finish his tour June 16 at Savannah State University and Skidaway Institute.