Georgia State University Sign

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents has approved a proposal to merge Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College.

The board approved University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby's proposal during a meeting Tuesday.

University System officials say the schools' combined fall 2014 enrollment was 53,927 students. The consolidated university would become the largest in the state surpassing the University of Georgia, which enrolled 35,197 students in fall 2014.

Officials say GSU President Mark Becker will serve as president of the consolidated school.

Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta is the second largest school in the state. Georgia Perimeter College operates five campuses throughout metro Atlanta and is Georgia's largest associate-degree granting institution.

The board has also finalized the merger of Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University.

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