Davis stepping down as USG chancellor

Erroll Davis

University System of Georgia Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. is stepping down from his post when his current contract expires next year.

Davis was appointed to his position, which oversees the USG’s 35 colleges and universities, in February 2006.

“The advent of a new governor does mean that the University System chancellor needs to establish a long-term working relationship in order to be effective. It is therefore appropriate that I step down at the end of my contract year and allow my successor to establish this necessary relationship,” Davis said in a statement. “The opportunity to lead this great system of public higher education has been a tremendous experience with both challenges and rewards. The System has certainly made great progress in its stated goal of educating more Georgians to higher levels than in the past.”

Since Davis’ was appointed, the number of students enrolled in the USG has increased 19.4 percent.

“Chancellor Davis has been and is an impressive individual who has brought to the University System an extremely high level of experience and ethical leadership,” Board Chair Willis Potts said in a statement. “The regents, the presidents, the state and, above all, our students, have benefited from his outstanding stewardship.”

No timeframe has been set for a decision on Davis’replacement.

“Chancellor Davis has led the University System through an unprecedented period of growth and budget challenges,” Gov. Sonny Perdue said in a statement. “He has served as a steady hand on the wheel, ensuring the System never strayed from its core mission of educating students. A strong higher education system is a critical component of a thriving, growing Georgia, and the chancellor has dedicated himself to cementing our state’s reputation as a leader in innovation and research.”