Atlanta — January 8, 2013

The ¾º²Â×ãÇòapp,Âò×ãÇò¾º²Êapp of Regents approved today aligning the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) with the University of Georgia (UGA).

¡°The new alignment between the institute and the university will streamline operations and enhance the research efforts of both SkIO and UGA¡¯s excellent marine and coastal programs,¡± said Houston Davis, the University System¡¯s chief academic officer and executive vice chancellor.

Davis said that the change is part of Chancellor Hank Huckaby¡¯s efforts to streamline the University System of Georgia¡¯s operations. He said that the change will become effective July 1, 2013.

The Institute has 65 employees who conduct cutting-edge oceanographic research on both a regional and global scale. The Institute also provides research-based educational opportunities to students from other University System institutions and from around the world.

The University of Georgia has a staff of about 20 who provide classes for as many as 18,000 students from elementary to high school each year at Skidaway. The university also has a site on Sapelo Island for site-based research and instruction of undergraduate and graduate college students in its marine program.

¡°In addition to enhancing research conducted by UGA, this change provides a synergistic environment that is sure to benefit both Georgia Tech and Savannah State University who also conduct important coastal research at Skidaway,¡± added Davis.

The Georgia General Assembly chartered Skidaway in 1967 after philanthropist Robert Roebling donated the land to the state. The Institute operated as a stand-alone institution for four years before coming under the responsibility of the University System.

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