Historic vote merges eight Georgia colleges into four - Laura Diamond, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Consolidation represents a historic change for the University System of Georgia, an agency long associated with growth and expansion. Chancellor Hank Huckaby said the mergers are a realistic response to annual cuts in state money and an economy that is slow to recover. The system has lost more than $1 billion in state funding since the 2009 fiscal year. More mergers are possible. “It is certainly not off the table, but no decisions have been made,” Huckaby said. Mergers leave the system with 31 colleges, down from 35. The new schools are: Georgia Regents University, a merger of Augusta State and Georgia Health Sciences universities. Ricardo Azziz is president. Middle Georgia State College, a merger of Macon State and Middle Georgia colleges. John Black is interim president. South Georgia State College, a merger of Waycross and South Georgia colleges. Virginia Carson is president. University of North Georgia, a merger of Gainesville State College and North Georgia College & State University. Bonita Jacobs is president. http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/regents-give-final-ok-to-merge-georgia-colleges/nTqH4/