Two universities in Southwest Georgia are merging.

Wednesday, the state Board of Regents approved a plan to combine Albany State University and Darton State College.

The two campuses sit about five miles apart. Albany State was founded in 1903, to primarily serve African Americans. Darton State began in 1963 as a junior college, but now offers four-year degrees.

Some Albany State alumni say the consolidated university will lose its character and focus on minority students. But University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby says the merger will strengthen the school’s mission to a reach diverse student population.

The change comes at a tough time for Albany State. Enrollment is down ten percent from last year. The school will temporarily stop offering degrees in more than a dozen programs to save money,

And four financial aid employees were fired after a state audit uncovered misconduct dating back to the 1980s.

The Albany State/Darton State merger is the seventh in the state university system since 2011.

Tags: Albany State University, Darton State College, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia