ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Board of Regents has approved the merger of eight college campuses into four schools with new names and newly appointed presidents.

The moves are a major initiative of Chancellor Hank Huckaby, who leads the University System of Georgia.

Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University are now Georgia Regents University, the only one of the new campuses classified as a research university alongside the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech.

The University of North Georgia is formed by combining Gainesville State College and North Georgia College.

Macon State College and Middle Georgia College form Middle Georgia State College.

South Georgia College and Waycross College are now South Georgia State College.

Higher education officials say the consolidations will yield more efficient, effective schools.