The University System of Georgia has announced the creation of a consolidation committee that will work on the upcoming Macon State College-Middle Georgia College merger.

The committee includes faculty and staff from both colleges, Middle Georgia community members and student body representatives from both colleges.

John Millsaps, University System associate vice chancellor for media and publications, said the 18-member committee was formed to work out the details of the merger.

The committee will deal with issues such as academic programming, registration and financial aid.

Lynn Hobbs, vice president for fiscal affairs at Middle Georgia College, said she appreciates the opportunity to serve on the committee.

“I think the merger is going to create more educational opportunities for students in the region,” Hobbs said.

The committee also involves members of the Macon community such as Mike Ford, president and CEO of NewTown Macon.

Ford said the committee has the opportunity to take a regional approach to education that should strengthen education for local students.

The configuration of the committee has just been decided, Millsaps said, and the next step is for the members to convene and begin work.

Although committee members will be dealing with details of the merger, Millsaps said most policy decisions will have to be made by the Georgia State Board of Regents.

The Board of Regents unanimously approved the merger at a meeting Jan. 10 in Atlanta.

Under the plan, the five campuses of Macon State and Middle Georgia College will consolidate into one institution.

Currently, the colleges have campuses in Macon, Warner Robins, Cochran, Dublin and Eastman.

Millsaps said the timeline on the merger is not set in stone, but it could be completed as early as fall 2013.

For a full list of committee members, visit www.usg.edu/consolidation/msc-mgc/ consolidation_committee.