Mergers for seven of Alabama's community colleges originally planned for this summer are on hold until 2017.
Three east Alabama community colleges were expected to form one regional institution upon final approval by the Alabama Community College System board of trustees this July. Those colleges are Southern Union State Community College in Opelika, Wadley and Valley; Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, Childersburg and Talladega; and Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City.
A consolidation to create another regional institution in south Alabama this summer was planned for Alabama Southern, Jefferson Davis, Reid State and Faulkner State community colleges.
School officials say plans to consolidate the colleges are still in place, but have been delayed until 2017 because of timing issues.