Cecil Diamond tries to make amends with his sister before Battle of the Bands; Dr. Eva Fletcher faces an ugly spousal support battle with Derek; Noni runs into more band trouble.

After winter break, Eva is hit with the news that Terrence Berry's family is demanding a public apology; Cedric has his first brush with student activism; Cecil Diamond discovers Noni's betrayal.

Eva meets with an SGA leader to propose a solution to Georgia A&M's looming financial crisis; Noni makes a big play to win back Cecil Diamond's trust by using her computer science know-how.

The day everyone feared arrives when the Board of Trustees announce the merger is a done deal. Cedric and Ebonie bring back the resistance track to let the Georgia University System know exactly how they feel.

Eva discovers that a trustee is responsible for contract irregularities that benefit him, personally. Cedric and Ebonie feel “Rise Up Together” needs a hook, but the only singer who can do it justice is Cedric’s ex—Bronwyn.