Members of a group pushing to keep the name ‘Augusta’ in a new consolidated university in that city say they’re confident the two sides will come to a compromise. They reject the name ‘Georgia Regents University’ chosen by administrators.

The leader of the group ‘Save The A’ says Governor Nathan Deal has endorsed finding a name for the new university that will include the word ‘Augusta’.

Nick Evans says he's met with the Governor and members of the Board of Regents to discuss alternatives to Georgia Regents University.

But he says Augusta needs to be a key part of the new name. He rejected one idea that’s been proposed: Georgia Regents University at Augusta.

“We do not want the word ‘at’," Evans said. "It has to include the word Augusta but we don’t want it labeled as a destination. It needs to be a part of the name and brand.”

Evans says he would prefer the name the University of Augusta, which also topped a survey conducted about the name.

The new institution will come from a merger of Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University.

Tags: Board of Regents, Augusta State University, consolidation, Georgia Health Sciences University, College Mergers