ATLANTA (AP) --

A Board of Regents' committee has approved plans to tear down a 72-year-old dorm at the University of Georgia to build a new residence hall.

The Board of Regents Committee on Real Estate and Facilities voted unanimously Wednesday to demolish Rutherford Hall.

UGA President Michael Adams has said the historic building is not a good candidate for renovations and needs to be razed to provide "safe and functional housing" for students.

The demolition is expected to begin this spring. Rutherford Hall was built in 1939. It was named after Mildred "Millie" Rutherford, principal of a secondary school for girls in Athens.

Morris News Service reports that the final step is a vote
Wednesday by the full Board of Regents, typically a routine matter.