USG VALUE:
www.ledger-enquirer.com
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/01/15/2345264/columbus-state-gets-more-honors.html
Columbus State gets more honors in U.S. News & World Report best colleges rankings
By From staff reports
Columbus State University’s online graduate degrees in business and education are among the best in the country, according to a national magazine. CSU is No. 33 out of 148 online programs in master of business administration and No. 34 out of 143 online programs in graduate education listed in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, the university announced Tuesday. …The specific honors add to the overall prestige Columbus State gained in September, when the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges 2013” rankings put CSU at No. 46 among public regional universities in the South. The online graduate degree rankings will be in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools 2014” guidebook.
GOOD NEWS:
www.times-georgian.com
http://www.times-georgian.com/view/full_story/21420257/article-UWG-to-acquire-Newnan-Hospital?instance=TG_home_story_offset
UWG to acquire Newnan Hospital
by Colton Campbell/Times-Georgian
The University of West Georgia will acquire the historic Newnan Hospital facility and six acres, allowing the school to expand its health care-related programs in Cowetal County. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted last week to approve the acquisition. The decision is the culmination of nearly two years of work by government, education and medical officials. The project, which will provide a new space for several degrees in Newnan, began with an offer by Newnan Hospital to donate the historic hospital building and surrounding 6.13 acres for use as an educational facility. The offer also included a $4.2 million donation to begin improvements.
www.mdjonline.com
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/21421465/article-Officials-agree–Enhancement-plan-good-idea?instance=lead_story_left_column
Officials agree: Enhancement plan good idea
by Noreen Cochran
All parties represented Tuesday agreed they share similar favorable ideas about the new MU2 project, the 862-acre Marietta University Enhancement District study area, which partners the city of Marietta, Southern Polytechnic State University and Life University. Dignitaries at the two-hour design workshop at SPSU’s student center — a follow-up to the Dec. 13 kickoff meeting at Life University — included SPSU President Dr. Lisa Rossbacher and architect Michael M. Sizemore, designer of the SPSU library. “The conversation we’re going to begin continuing today started just about two years ago when people at Life University got together with people here at Southern Polytechnic and said, ‘You know, there are a lot of ideas out there for what could happen along Highway 41,’” Rossbacher said about the road also known as Cobb Parkway. City officials in attendance included Mayor Steve Tumlin, a board member of the SPSU Foundation, who said Cobb Parkway has great potential for improvement.
www.redandblack.com
http://www.redandblack.com/ugalife/uga-president-adams-named-one-of-georgia-s-most-influential/article_420058cc-5eb0-11e2-8bd0-001a4bcf6878.html
UGA President Adams named one of Georgia’s most influential
Brad Mannion
During his final year as president of the University of Georgia, Michael F. Adams was recognized as one of Georgia’s most prominent figures by Georgia Trend Magazine. Adams made his 17th appearance on the Most Influential Georgians: Georgia’s Power List through his contributions to UGA. While Adams’ latest influences include establishing the College of Engineering and teaming up with the Medical College of Georgia to provide a four-year medical education program in Athens, Adams and his staff were also forerunners for the environmentally efficient proposal known as the Master Plan. As a member of this list, Adams earns his spot through his overall effect — not only his standing as president.
USG NEWS:
www.redandblack.com
http://www.redandblack.com/ugalife/dawg-gone-a-look-back-at-the-legacy-of-uga/article_21d27920-5f84-11e2-9c31-001a4bcf6878.html
Dawg Gone: A look back at the legacy of UGA President Adams
by MEGAN ERNST
As President Michael Adams serves his last semester at the University of Georgia, The Red & Black wants to take time to commemorate his 16 years on campus. When Adams came to UGA in 1997, the campus had 26,000 students. East Campus didn’t have dorms, a dining hall or the Lamar Dodd School of Art. The Special Collections Library hadn’t been dreamed up yet. UGA was called a “second tier” school by the U.S. News and World Report. Today, UGA is home to more than 35,000 students. It has been ranked in the top 20 public research universities for eight of the last 10 years. UGA has graduated seven Rhodes Scholarship recipients under Adams. His tenure saw $1 billion in construction projects, including the campus hub: the Miller Learning Center, while lobbying for the intentional creation of green space.
www.ajc.com
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/uga-merges-with-skidaway-oceanography-institutegeo/nTxjz/
UGA merges with Skidaway oceanography institute; Tech, other schools hope to benefit
By Melissa Abbey
The University of Georgia will take over the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography this summer. The move, effective July 1, is one of several mergers recently approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
Skidaway, on an island 16 miles southeast of Savannah, is an autonomous marine science research institution in the system, and though it has no students of its own – and doesn’t grant degrees – students and academics from around the world visit to conduct research. Faculty members at Skidaway are interested in the chance to take on a larger teaching role in the future, said director James Sanders, but he doesn’t expect Skidaway to turn into an instructional campus. “We’re really set up well as a research institution, where students and faculty can come and really immerse themselves in their research,” he said. There will be simple administrative changes and opportunities for greater interaction between the UGA campus in Athens and Skidaway Island. …But UGA isn’t going to hog Skidaway. The institute is open to students from many institutions and will remain that way, said Morehead. He hopes access to Skidaway will increase.
www.cbsatlanta.com
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/20593672/two-students-robbed-at-gunpoint
Georgia Tech police: Two students robbed at gunpoint
By Jennifer Banks
FULTON COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) – Police are investigating after two armed robberies happened early Tuesday on campus. The first incident happened around 1:30 a.m., when a student was walking on Brittain Drive Northwest towards Bobby Dodd Way Northwest. The victim said he heard a person walking behind him when the suspect walked up with a gun and demanded money. …The second incident happened around the same time on Bobby Dodd Way Northwest near Fowler Street Northwest. The female said a silver sedan was driving towards her when a man got out of the car and demanded money while holding a gun.
Related article:
www.midtown.patch.com
Ga Tech Police: Suspects sought in on-campus armed robberies
http://midtown.patch.com/articles/gtpd-two-early-tuesday-on-campus-armed-robberies
RESEARCH:
www.forest-blade.com
http://www.forest-blade.com/news/business/article_449c48e2-5f33-11e2-92c6-0019bb2963f4.html
Forestry industry earns jobs, dollars for Georgia
Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that a study by the Georgia Institute of Technology for the Georgia Forestry Commission shows that in 2011, economic activity generated by the forestry industry topped $25 billion in output and provided 118,459 jobs. “I am proud to see our state retain its position as a national forestry leader,” said Deal. “Our 24 million acres of forests are one of Georgia’s most valuable natural resources, and the dedication of the men and women in the forestry community drive that success. I’m confident our sustainably grown forests will be providing both economic and environmental benefits for generations of Georgians to come.” Highlights of the “Economic Benefits of the Forest Industry in Georgia: 2011” report include increases in output, compensation, employment and total economic impact, as well as impact statistics by region. The report shows that between 2010 and 2011:
STATE NEEDS/ISSUES:
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/breaking-news/2013-01-16/deal-backs-guns-school-administrators
Deal backs guns for school administrators
By WALTER C. JONESMORRIS NEWS SERVICE
ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal announced Wednesday predicted passage for a bill that would allow trained administrators to carry guns in schools. The governor also said he intends to offer legislation to beef up the state’s review of mental-health records for gun permit applicants. His comments came in response to reporters’ questions following remarks to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs and Issues breakfast. Other state leaders also spoke, but only Deal faced the media. “Most of what we will probably see will come out of Washington, either through the executive orders that the president is talking about now or federal legislation,” he said regarding gun control laws.
wwwmacon.com
http://www.macon.com/2013/01/15/2317582/epps-talton-sponsor-bill-to-allow.html
Epps, Talton sponsor bill to allow administrators to carry guns at schools
By MAGGIE LEE
ATLANTA — Two days into the annual state legislative session, a pair of Middle Georgia lawmakers have stepped into what may turn into a rowdy debate by advocating letting certain school administrators carry guns. The signatures of state Reps. Bubber Epps, R-Dry Branch, and Willie Talton, R-Warner Robins, were among the first on House Bill 35. The measure would let school boards designate administrators to carry firearms, including concealed weapons, on school property, after undergoing weapons training. “Our society right now is so focused on protection, and rightfully so,” said Talton, a retired Houston County chief deputy sheriff. The bill, he said, is one way for schools that can’t afford full-time security to have some protection. “I’m emphasizing training,” he said.
www.ajc.com
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/breaking-news/cox-enterprises-investing-250-million-in-tech-star/nTxjp/
Cox Enterprises investing $250 million in tech startups
Partnership with tech guru will be major investment in growing sector of region’s economy.
By J. Scott Trubey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A major media company is committing $250 million to a new business venture that will start technology companies in metro Atlanta, a move experts say could fuel job growth in a burgeoning sector of the region’s economy.
Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, which owns The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, WSB-TV, Manheim auto auctions and Cox Communications and AutoTrader.com, said the money will be spread out over several years. But the size of the investment is substantial in a state that ranks low in investment vehicles such as venture capital, which are often critical to launch successful technology startups. …Heading Cox’s new partnership is Tripp Rackley, a board member of the privately owned media company who is perhaps best known for creating the companies behind online and mobile banking. The partnership will fund startups that Rackley and his team create in metro Atlanta. Cox and Rackley would share ownership of the companies created. In the 1990s, Rackley, a Georgia Tech and Roswell High School graduate, founded nFront, a pioneering Internet banking services company that went public in 1999 and through mergers is now part of Intuit.
Editorials/Columns/Opinions
www.forbes.com
http://www.forbes.com/sites/baldwin/2013/01/15/the-scary-economics-of-higher-education/
The Scary Economics Of Higher Education
William Baldwin, Forbes Staff
At the corner of Fifth Avenue and 14th Street in Manhattan, you can see higher education’s ambitions reaching to the sky. The New School’s 16-story University Center nears completion at a cost of $353 million. The edifice is impressive. But would you want to hold the mortgage on it? That’s what you have, in effect, if you buy a tax-exempt bond from the New School. Before you invest in debt backed by an educational institution, think about the precarious state of this sector of the economy. Colleges are in the midst of a debt-fueled bubble.
Education News
www.diverseeducation.com
http://diverseeducation.com/article/50698/
AP Source: Duncan to Stay at Education Department
by Philip Elliott, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — An Education Department official says Secretary Arne Duncan will remain in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet into a second term. The official disclosed the decision Monday on the condition of anonymity because a public announcement has not been made.
www.diverseeducation.com
http://diverseeducation.com/article/50688/
Study: Parental Support Sends Down College GPA
by Justin Pope, Associated Press
Parents who are footing more of the college tuition bill for their children give them a better chance of graduating. But a surprising new study finds they may not be doing them any favors in another area as generous financial support appears to lead to lower grades. The study, published in this month’s American Sociological Review, suggests students with some of their own “skin in the game” may work harder, and that students with parents picking up more of the tab are free to take on a more active social and extracurricular life. That may be fun and even worthwhile, but comes at a cost to GPA.
www.nytimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/education/college-cost-calculators-offer-clarity-and-confusion.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Clarity and Confusion From Tuition Calculators
By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA
The annual ritual of college admissions has shifted from the season of applying to the season of waiting. While that means an anxious vigil for millions of teenagers like Zachary Ewell, it goes double for their parents. Heidi and Mike Ewell must wait not only to learn where Zachary will go, but also how many thousands of dollars they will have to pay. Zachary, a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School near Chicago, and his parents have a new window into college pricing that millions of families before them did not. Federal rules require colleges to provide online calculators that generate a personalized estimate of the net price of attendance, based on answers to a series of questions about a family’s finances. Many families are approaching these new tools with caution, however, finding that they vary widely in thoroughness and clarity. Moreover, there is no publicly available information for gauging how accurate they are.
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/01/16/ace-assess-udacity-courses-credit
Udacity’s Credit Path
By Paul Fain
Udacity had a busy Tuesday. The MOOC provider announced two partnerships that could lead to college credit for versions of its courses. The American Council on Education (ACE) said it would evaluate four Udacity courses, all of which are entry-level, for credit recommendations. And San Jose State University announced a deal to jointly offer three $150 courses with Udacity, in a trial run enrolling 300 students. (See accompanying story.) The arrangement with ACE is similar to one struck in November with Coursera, which, like Udacity, is a for-profit MOOC provider. The council is also reviewing several Coursera courses for potential credit recommendations.
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/article/California-State-U-Will/136677/
California State U. Will Experiment With Offering Credit for MOOCs
By Jeffrey R. Young
State universities in California, looking for creative ways to reduce education costs at a time of budget stress, are turning to MOOCs to offer low-cost options for students. On Tuesday, San Jose State University announced an unusual pilot project with Udacity, a for-profit provider of the massive open online courses, to jointly create three introductory mathematics classes. The courses will be free online, but students who want credit from San Jose State will be able to take them for just $150, far less than the $450 to $750 that students would typically pay for a credit-bearing course. If the project continues beyond the pilot, the university will keep 51 percent of any revenue after costs are covered and Udacity will keep 49 percent, said Mohammad Qayoumi, president of the university, in an interview on Monday. The University of California system may eventually decide to work with MOOC providers as well: Leaders of Udacity and Coursera, another for-profit MOOC company, are scheduled to appear before the university’s Board of Regents on Wednesday.
Related article:
www.insidehighered.com
As California Goes?
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/01/16/california-looks-moocs-online-push
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/01/16/universities-spend-more-athletics-athlete-academics-student-report-finds
Playing Different Games
By Kevin Kiley
The growth of college tuition may be the trend that grabs headlines, but its slope can’t match that of how much the top football-playing universities spend on athletes.
The amount of athletics spending per athlete at universities in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Football Bowl Subdivision grew by about 50 percent between 2005 and 2010, compared to a 38 percent increase in in-state student tuition at public four-year universities, according to a report released today by the Delta Cost Project, a branch of the American Institutes for Research, entitled “Academic Spending Versus Athletic Spending: Who Wins?”
www.usatoday.com
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/01/15/division-i-colleges-spend-more-on-athletes-than-education/1837721/
Division I schools spend more on athletes than education
Mary Beth Marklein
Public universities competing in NCAA Division I sports spend as much as six times more per athlete than they spend to educate students.
Public universities competing in NCAA Division I sports spend as much as six times more per athlete than they spend to educate students, and likely for the first time per-athlete spending at schools in each of the six highest-profile football conferences topped $100,000 in 2010, an analysis of federal and school data finds. Between 2005 and 2010, spending by athletic departments rose more than twice as fast as academic spending on a per-student basis. Median per-athlete spending by 97 public institutions that compete in the top-tier Football Bowl Subdivision increased the most: 51%, to $92,000, between 2005 and 2010, while median spending on education increased 23%, to just under $14,000 per full-time student. Meanwhile, tuition at four-year public universities increased an average of 38% and state and local funding rose just 2%, research shows.
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/01/16/nyit-settles-over-incentive-compensation-online-ellis-college
Hefty Fine in NYIT Partnership
By Libby A. Nelson
The New York Institute of Technology, which a decade ago entered into an ill-fated partnership with a for-profit higher education company, has been ordered to pay $2.5 million in a $4 million settlement because the college’s partner paid recruiters based on how many students later enrolled. The settlement is the latest fallout from NYIT’s joint venture with Cardean Learning Group, a marriage of nonprofit and for-profit higher education interests made with the intention of spawning a hybrid online institution, Ellis University. Cardean, since bought out by Capital Education, was ordered to pay $1.5 million. Under the original agreement for the venture, undertaken in 2003, Cardean provided course content and financial backing for Ellis College, a then-new online arm of NYIT. The intention was for Ellis, operated by the for-profit company, to piggyback on NYIT’s accreditation so that students could receive federal financial aid until it could break away to become a fully accredited institution in its own right — Ellis University. Students at Ellis College would then transfer to the newly formed and independent university.
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/01/16/appeals-court-reinstates-disability-lawsuit-against-creightons-med-school
Appeals Court Reinstates Disability Lawsuit Against Creighton’s Med School
Creighton University must defend itself against a former medical student’s charges that the university did not provide him with the accommodations he needed for his hearing disability to benefit equally from his education, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday. In its decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit found that Michael Argenyi asked Creighton’s medical school for several accommodations to deal with his hearing impairment, including Communication Access Real-time Transcription (CART), which transcribes spoken words into computer text. The university denied most of the requests because they differed and had not been made directly by a doctor, according to the court. (Argenyi took out more than $120,000 in loans to pay for the accommodations himself for two years.)
Related article:
www.chronicle.com
Hearing-Impaired Student’s Case Against Medical School May Proceed, Court Rules
http://chronicle.com/article/Hearing-Impaired-Students/136681/
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/01/16/2-killed-kentucky-community-college
Shootings Stun 2 Colleges
By Scott Jaschik
On Tuesday, the day before President Obama is expected to announce new proposals to control gun violence, two campuses were stunned by shootings. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that two people were killed and one was injured in a shooting at Hazard Community and Technical College, in Kentucky. The shooting took place in the early evening and the college went into lockdown until authorities said that it was safe for people to move about. …The shootings in Kentucky came hours after a man reported to be a part-time student at Stevens Institute of Business & Arts shot the St. Louis college’s financial aid director and then himself on Tuesday, KMOV television reported.
________________________________________
Other Publications of the University System of Georgia:
USG Strategic Plan
USG Annual Report (PDF)
System Supplement
Legislative Update
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