The University of North Georgia (UNG) is a public senior military college with multiple campuses in Georgia. It is part of the University System of Georgia. The university was established on January 8, 2013 by a merger of North Georgia College & State University (founded 1873) and Gainesville State College (founded 1964). The regents announced plans for the merger on January 10, 2012, and the name of the new school was announced on May 8, 2012. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) approved the consolidation December 11, 2012. The combined institution has campus locations in Dahlonega, Gainesville (Gainesville Campus), Watkinsville (Oconee Campus), Blue Ridge, and Cumming. With nearly 20,000 enrolled students, the University of North Georgia is the sixth-largest public university in the state of Georgia. Within UNG, there are five colleges which collectively offer over one hundred bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as thirteen master's degrees and one doctoral degree. Over 600 students are involved in the university's ROTC program in any given year, which has given it the designation as The Military College of Georgia. The university is one of six senior military colleges in the United States.