Journal of Education & Social Policy

The Dialectics of Consolidation: Utopia, Dystopia and Creativity at the University of North Georgia
Dr. GeorgeK. Danns

Abstract
As a consolidated institution, the University of North Georgia has been moving towards a more perfect union by seeking to combine the institutional strengths of the former North Georgia College and State University and Gainesville State College into an ideal type entity that would serve the tertiary education needs of its region and the state of Georgia. This paper argues that there is a utopian element in this consolidation concept which serves as an aspirational guide for policy makers and the university community. Differences in the cultures of the consolidating institutions have led to perceptions of dystopia among its faculty, staff and administrators seized with apprehensions over fundamental changes to their very professional existence and futures. This paper integrates the constructs of the dialectic, utopia, dystopia, creativity and institutional anomie into a theoretical framework. Published documents and a survey of employees provide empirical grist for the emergent theoretical perspective.

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