Regents approve consolidated Georgia Regents University - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

The consolidation of Augusta State and Georgia Health Sciences universities is official following today's approval of a resolution by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to form Georgia Regents University.

"Today marks an important milestone for Georgia Regents University," said GRU President Ricardo Azziz, who today was appointed to lead the consolidated university. "I am thankful for the trust the regents have placed in us and the partnership, support and active engagement exhibited by our faculty, staff, students, alumni, volunteers and friends throughout this consolidation process."

Following approval of a recommendation to consolidate the two universities at its January 2012 meeting, the regents approved the new university's mission statement in May and the name Georgia Regents University in August.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, a regional accrediting body for higher education institutions, affirmed the regents' recommendation when it voted to approve the consolidation at its annual meeting in December. The accrediting body will make a site visit in the fall to ensure the new university is complying with accreditation principles and standards. Prior to the visit, university officials are expected to produce a self-study, or an assessment of the school and its operations.

The new  university includes nine colleges, nearly 10,000 students, more than 650 acres of campus, nearly 150 buildings, more than 1,000 full-time faculty, approximately 5,600 staff, an integrated health system and a growing intercollegiate athletics program. It's economic impact will be nearly $1.3 billion. The inaugural class of GRU will enroll in this fall.

For more information, visit www.gru.edu.