SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Ivy Tech Community College has merged its north central and northwest regions, creating a single district that reaches from the Illinois border to Kosciusko County, about midway between South Bend and Fort Wayne.

The South Bend Tribune reports the merger approved Thursday by Ivy Tech trustees takes effect immediately.

North Central Regional Chancellor Thomas Coley will serve as chancellor for the larger region.

Ivy Tech President Thomas Snyder says state funding hasn’t kept up with the school’s growth. He says Ivy Tech may consider consolidating other regions to reduce expenses. Snyder says he doesn’t know if the school will reduce employment due to the merger.

Snyder says the change should have no effect on students.

The merger reduces the number of Ivy Tech state regions to 13.