The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has approved the plan to consolidate eight current University System of Georgia institutions into four.
The approval by the accrediting agency is the final step needed for the board of regents to grant authorization for the resulting institutions (Georgia Regents University, Middle Georgia State College, South Georgia State College and the University of North Georgia) to operate and to appoint presidents. That action is expected at the regents’ Jan. 8 meeting.