Clayton College

& State University's "profoundly positive outlook" and growth

on several fronts may spill over into Fayette County sooner than anyone

thinks.

In his annual

State of the University address, delivered by President Dr. Thomas K.

Harden Sept. 2 to about 250 faculty and staff members in the University's

world-famous Spivey Hall, Harden touched on both the highlights of the

past few years, and where the University is headed in the future.

An area of

great concern is growth or, rather, where the college will find room to

grow. Clayton State's fall enrollment set a record with a 5,678 students,

topping the spring 2003 semester's total of 5,555.

The school

is on track to reach "7 in 7" (7,000 students by 2007) two years

early, said Harden. But the 163-acre main campus in Morrow is famous for

its heavy growth of pines and other native plants, which Harden assured

would not be cut down.

Instead, he

suggested, Clayton State will continue to develop alternative sites, including

the Fayette County Higher Education Center, which began offering credit

courses this fall in space donated by the Peachtree City Tennis Center.

"The Fayette

County site needs to expand ... dramatically," Harden said, a comment

that suggests the university and the state Board of Regents might be willing

to fast-track building a permanent branch campus in the county.

Virgil Christian,

executive director of the Peachtree City Tennis Center and one of the

instrumental players in bringing the satellite credit courses to Fayette

County, sees nothing but promise in the arrangement so far.

"They've

been great, a professional group to work with and it's been great seeing

a whole different group of Peachtree City residents taking advantage of

the Tennis Center," Christian said.

A total of

36 students are enrolled for the fall term in Peachtree City, taking one

of four core courses that meet in two-hour blocks on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

"All in

all, a good start," said university spokesman John Shiffert, who

suggested Fayette Countians not put the cart before the horse.

"President

Harden says that expanding our presence there is a direction we need to

go, but that there have not, as yet, been any specific plans made,"

said Shiffert. "So, at this moment, there exists no further specific

information."

The statement

was based more on the general need to find areas where the college can

expand beyond its main campus, and Fayette County is a logical first step.

If the number

of Fayette County students enrolled at the main campus in Morrow is an

indication, there's certainly a draw that would only benefit a "branch"

campus somewhere in the county.

"Fayette

is traditionally our third-largest 'feeder' county," said Shiffert,

after Clayton and Henry. More than 1,000 alumni live in Fayette County,

he said.

"Our desire

to serve our community in Fayette County is also a factor in the University

moving in this direction," Shiffert said. "Clayton State needs

to grow, and off-campus sites like Fayette are where we will grow. There's

only so much you can squeeze on to 163 acres."

The college

classroom space, underneath the Tennis Center pro shop and restaurant

and originally designed to be leased out as professional office space,

is instead being rented to Clayton State for $1 a year, Christian said,

under an arrangement worked out between the Fayette County Development

Authority, the Development Authority of Peachtree City, the Fayette County

Chamber of Commerce and the Peachtree City Council.

"When

we look back 10 years from now, this will be seen as one of the best things

the development authority (of Peachtree City) has ever done," Christian

said, adding that at the expected rate of growth, the space at the Tennis

Center will prove inadequate in a couple of years.

Within 10 years,

Christian envisions a college campus centrally located, accomodating 2,000

or more students.

The availability

of college credit courses is important to the folks who work to bring

industry to Fayette County, Christian explained, because many companies

today put heavy weight on the availibility of higher education when deciding

to relocate to an area.

"For a

business to want to relocate here, we are going to have to have to see

some kind of higher education center here within five years," said

Christian, adding Fayette County's demographics already reflect an educated

population that would embrace a local college if it were available.

"I want

to bring a higher educational component to the people of Fayette County.

It's long overdue," said Christian. "It's going to happen."

Clayton State distances

itself from county school controversy

It is an uncomfortable

but necessary task of late for officials at Clayton College & State

University explaining to outsiders and potential students the difference

between the university and the Clayton County public schools.

The county

school board has been engulfed in controversy since last January, when

it fired the superintendent illegally. The reprecussions have led to recall

attempts, visits from Jesse Jackson and the potential loss of accreditation

to all the county's schools. If that happens, 2004 graduates from Clayton's

eight high schools wouldn't be eligible for HOPE scholarships.

To ease concerns

when they arise, University President Thomas K. Harden prepared an official

statement explaining the school's position:

"Clayton

College & State University is a senior unit of the University System

of Georgia. As such, Clayton State is not affiliated with the Clayton

County Public Schools, which is responsible for K through 12 education

in the county.

"The University

is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association

of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.

The University is a member institution in good standing with the Commission

and is currently preparing for its regular decennial review with the Commission,

which is scheduled to occur in 2004."