University System News
CONSOLIDATION:
www.albanyherald.com
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2013/nov/12/georgia-board-of-regents-approves-southern-poly/
Georgia Board of Regents approves Southern Poly-Kennesaw State consolidation
By Terry Lewis
ATLANTA —The steady drumbeat of consolidation of the state’s universities and colleges continued Tuesday as The University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted to officially merge Southern Polytechnic State University and Kennesaw State University. This action will be implemented over the next year, with final board approval of the new institution coming in January 2015, following the approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools at its December 2014 meeting.
Related article:
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/ga-regents-approve-merger-of-southern-polytechnic-state-and-kennesaw-state/69101
Ga. Regents Approve Merger of Southern Polytechnic State and Kennesaw State
www.11alive.com
http://www.11alive.com/news/article/312678/3/State-regents-approve-KSU-SPSU-merger
State regents approve KSU-SPSU merger
USG NEWS:
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2013-11-13/wilheit-named-new-chair-regents
Wilheit named new chair of Regents
The Board of Regents on Wednesday elected Regent Philip A. Wilheit Sr. to a one-year term as the board’s chair. Wilheit currently serves as vice-chair. “We have a fine group of people leading the university system during this time of change,” said Wilheit in a news release. “I am grateful to my colleagues on the board for this opportunity.”
Related article:
www.accessnorthga.com
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=267843
Wilheit named Board of Regents chair
www.ledgetr-enquirer.com
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/11/13/2796602/synovus-ceo-new-york-stock.html
Synovus CEO rings closing bell of New York Stock Exchange
Columbus bank marks 125th anniversary as it rebounds financially
BY TONY ADAMS
It was short and sweet. But with smiles all around and preceded by cheer-like clapping, Synovus Financial Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kessel Stelling rang the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday. The big moment, a first for the Columbus-based regional bank, came at 4 p.m. with the CEO actually pushing a button that rings the bell, signifying trading is over for the day, then punctuating the close with the rap of a gavel.
www.ajc.com
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/enrollment-down-another-year-at-university-system-/nbrK3/
Enrollment down another year at university system schools
By Janel Davis The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Enrollment at the University System of Georgia’s 31 colleges and universities declined by about 5,000 students this fall. The 1.6 percent drop from fall 2012 follows a similar 1.2 percent decline the previous year. Chancellor Hank Huckaby updated the Board of Regents on the enrollment declines Wednesday during the regents’ final meeting of the year.
Related articles:
www.bizjournals.com
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2013/11/13/georgia-university-enrollment-down.html
Georgia university enrollment down again in fall ‘13
www.wsbtv.com
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/ap/education/student-enrollment-dropping-at-ga-universities/nbrNs/
Student enrollment dropping at Ga. universities
www.accessnorthga.com
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=267858
University System enrollment down; UNG, Ga. Gwinnett show increases
By Staff
ATLANTA – Fall 2013 enrollment in the University System of Georgia’s 31 colleges and universities totaled 309,469 students, a decline of 1.6 percent (or 4,896 fewer students) over fall 2012. But enrollment was up at two institutions in northeast Georgia, the University of North Georgia and Georgia Gwinnett College as well as the University of Georgia.
The “full-time equivalent enrollment,” a statistical measure of students taking a full load of courses, was 274,499 students, a decline of 1.4 percent, or 3,877 students from fall 2012.
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2013-11-13/college-enrollment-down-state-uga
College enrollment down in state, but up at UGA
Fall 2013 enrollment in the University System of Georgia’s 31 colleges and universities totaled 309,469 students. That’s a decline of 1.6 percent, nearly, 4,900 students, compared to fall 2012, according to statistics from the University System of Georgia. The “full-time equivalent enrollment,” a statistical measure of students taking a full load of courses, was 274,499 students, a decline of 1.4 percent, or 3,877 students from fall 2012. The University of Georgia is one of just 13 system institutions to show an enrollment increase.
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/health/2013-11-13/additional-hospitals-get-funds-md-residencies
Additional hospitals to get funds for MD residencies
By WALTER C. JONESMORRIS NEWS SERVICE
ATLANTA – Three hospital groups, including Athens Regional Medical Center, split $1.4 million in new funding Wednesday for the development of medical-residency slots in the state’s effort to address Georgia’s physician shortage. But filling the need for surgeons is proving more difficult for Georgia’s innovative program that is gaining national attention. …Athens Regional agreed to provide 102 positions and got $200,000 in aid during a meeting of the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents. The hospital has already hired key academic administrators, but has more to bring on board as well as submitting documentation to the accrediting agencies.
www.chronicle.augusta.com
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2013-11-13/azziz-statement-augustas-population-decreasing-called-question?page=1
Azziz statement on Augusta’s population decreasing called into question
By Walter C. Jones and Tom Corwin
Staff Writers
ATLANTA — In a progress report to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, Georgia Regents University President Ricardo Azziz told members Wednesday that Augusta’s population has decreased by 10 percent, a figure not supported by the last U.S. census count. The regents also selected a Michigan firm to do a critical $2.5 million master facilities plan that could determine whether the university utilizes renovated textile mills that Augusta city leaders are pushing.
www.wrdw.com
http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Master-plan-laid-out-for-GRU-231768941.html?ref=941
Work on GRU master plan to begin next month
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW) — The University System of Georgia Board of Regents selected Smith GroupJJR to begin work on a master plan for Georgia Regents University and Health System. According to a release, planning will start in December and take 10 to 12 months to complete.
www.albanyherald.com
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2013/nov/12/abac8217s-front-door-project-earns-praise-from/
ABAC’s Front Door project earns praise from Regents
Project involved rehabilitation of school’s front campus
Staff Reports
TIFTON — For Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the Historic Front Campus Project revitalized the “front door” of ABAC in a landmark fashion. For that monumental endeavor which culminated with a rededication ceremony on March 1, ABAC has received the Regents Award of Excellence from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. ABAC’s historic rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of Tift, Lewis and Herring halls and the front of campus revitalization was the basis for the award. USG Vice Chancellor for Facilities Jim James said the Regents present the award for projects which redefine the “spirit of place” on a campus.
www.redandblack.com
http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/up-up-with-education-down-down-with-segregation-online-hate/article_8efbecce-4cd3-11e3-8d51-0019bb30f31a.html
“Up, up with education, down, down with segregation”: Online hate indicative of insidious discrimination problems on campus
Kendall Trammell and Taylor West
Caroline Bailey wasn’t surprised.
“I chose the University of Georgia because of the lack of diversity,” said Bailey, the president of the Black Affairs Council. “For a lot of people who go to the University of Georgia, they went to predominantly white high schools, their neighborhoods are predominantly white and it will continue to be that way.” And during a week featuring words of racism and homophobia targeted at UGA student and faculty groups, Bailey’s preconceived notions were confirmed.
www.cbsatlanta.com
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/23961439/university-worker-fired-after-reporting-regents-ethics-violation-fights-for-job-back
State worker fired after reporting Regent’s ethics violation, fights for job back
By Jeff Chirico
AUGUSTA (CBS ATLANTA) –
Todd Brandenburg, of Evans, has been fighting Georgia’s Board of Regents since he was fired from the Georgia Medical College in Augusta in 2005. Brandenburg said the board mismanaged his appeal, upheld an unjust termination and failed to adhere to Georgia’s open record laws.
USG VALUE:
www.unionrecorder.com
http://www.unionrecorder.com/features/x862206580/College-student-recognized-for-his-selfless-efforts
College student recognized for his selfless efforts
Vaishali Patel
The Union-Recorder
MILLEDGEVILLE — Barrett Roell has dedicated nearly 750 hours to volunteerism activities and initiatives throughout the Georgia College campus and the local community in just the past two years. His selfless endeavors recently got him recognized locally and nationally as the recipient of the National Daily Point of Light Award. “I just enjoy giving back,” the 21 year-old said. “It makes me feel awesome to know that I’m making a difference in the lives of other people.” Created by the administration of Pres. George H. W. Bush, the Daily Point of Light Award honors individuals and groups creating meaningful change in communities across America.
www.wtoc.com
http://www.wtoc.com/story/23957785/georgia-southern-hosts-neighbors-in-need-blood-drive
Georgia Southern hosts Neighbors in Need blood drive
By Jennifer Lifsey
STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) – WTOC’s campaign to increase blood donations for the American Red Cross continues Wednesday in Statesboro. Students, faculty and staff at Georgia Southern University, as well as members of the community, will be able to donate blood for the Neighbors in Need Campaign.
GOOD NEWS:
www.onineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2013-11-13/uga-among-top-producers-fulbright-scholars-2013
UGA among the top producers of Fulbright scholars in 2013
By UGA NEWS SERVICE
The University of Georgia is listed among the top producers of Fulbright scholars under the Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in 2013, according to the latest ranking from the government’s flagship international exchange program. Of research institutions, UGA had the sixth most U.S. Fulbright Scholar Awards for the academic year 2013-2014 with five UGA faculty members receiving the Core Fulbright Scholar Award to work abroad.
www.bizjournals.com
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2013/11/13/metro-atlanta-chamber-names-phoenix.html
Metro Atlanta Chamber names Phoenix Award winners
Jacques Couret
Senior Online Editor and Social Engagement Manager-
Atlanta Business Chronicle
The Metro Atlanta Chamber on Tuesday named four of Atlanta’s most outstanding health IT industry leaders as the recipients of the 2013 MAC Phoenix Awards. …University Advancement of the Year — Interoperability & Integration Innovation Lab, Georgia Tech
RESEARCH:
www.gwinnettdailypost.com
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2013/nov/13/ggc-students-professors-conduct-research-in/
GGC students, professors conduct research in Mojave Desert
By Keith Farner
LAWRENCEVILLE — Three Georgia Gwinnett College biology students and two assistant professors were part of a recent two-week research expedition to the Mojave Desert. James Russell and Clay Runck, assistant professors of biology, and biology majors Angela Burrow, 37, of Lilburn, Mehul Desai, 28, of Lawrenceville and Nick Stewart, 29, of Lilburn. They studied the ecological interactions of the native plants, insects and animals in the Southern California desert.
www.gwinnettdaiypost.com
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2013/nov/13/alcova-fourth-graders-video-conference-with/
Alcova fourth-graders video conference with scientists
By Keith Farner
DACULA — When Kenyon Ellis stepped to the camera and microphone, he had a science question that stumped even the director of severe storm research at Georgia Tech. “What if protons didn’t exist,” Ellis said. The fourth-grader posed the question on Wednesday by video conference to John Trostel, who is among a group of scientists in the atmospheric sciences field that have partnered with Alcova Elementary to provide real-world answers and examples to information that fourth-graders like Ellis usually learn from a textbook. “I think you need to go to graduate school to figure that out,” Trostel told Ellis.
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2013-11-13/uga-scientist-calls-crypto-cure
UGA scientist calls for crypto cure
By UGA NEWS SERVICE
A recent study involving more than 22,000 children in Africa and Asia revealed that the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium is one of four pathogens responsible for the largest part of severe diarrhea in infants and toddlers. Given that there is no fully effective drug or vaccine against “crypto,” this is a worrying discovery, says Boris Striepen in a Comment piece in this week’s Nature magazine. He notes, “The basic research tools and infrastructure needed to discover, evaluate and develop such interventions are mostly lacking.” Striepen, a professor and Georgia Research Alliance Distinguished Investigator at the University of Georgia Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, makes a plea for more research and funding to find effective treatment and prevention for crypto.
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2013-11-13/uga’s-capuchin-monkeys-retiring-florida’s-jungle-friends-2014http://onlineathens.com/uga/2013-11-13/uga’s-capuchin-monkeys-retiring-florida’s-jungle-friends-2014
UGA’s capuchin monkeys retiring to Florida’s Jungle Friends in 2014
By UGA NEWS SERVICE
Over the past 17 years, seven tufted capuchin monkeys at the University of Georgia have given scientists new insights into cognition and behavior not only of primates, but also humans. In spring 2014, the monkeys are retiring to Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, in Gainesville, Fla., a lush property that’s home to more than 100 New World monkeys. Led by professor of psychology Dorothy Fragaszy, UGA researchers studied the UGA capuchins in the laboratory, and subsequently studied wild capuchins in the field. …In the laboratory, they discovered similarities in tool use among monkeys, chimpanzees and ancestral humans, and showed that capuchin monkeys could solve problems that challenge young children – such as arranging objects in a sequence by size, and traveling through alley mazes presented on a computer screen. And they came to appreciate the extent to which the capuchins—and possibly humans—understand the world through action.
Editorials/Columns/Opinions
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.augusta.com/opinion/editorials/2013-11-14/regent-augusta?v=1384390656
A regent for Augusta
James M. Hull is an ideal voice for higher education
By Augusta Chronicle Editorial Staff
There’s finally a seat at the table. And a good man to fill it. It’s been six years, though it seems a lot longer, since someone from the Augusta area – the state’s second-largest city – was on the Georgia Board of Regents. That conspicuous, dreary void was filled last week when Gov. Nathan Deal named Augusta businessman and philanthropist James M. Hull to the board.
www.mdjonline.com
http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/24051099/article-Anger-lingers–but-most-ultimately-will-back-the-new-KSU?instance=lead_story_left_column
Anger lingers, but most ultimately will back the new KSU
As many suspected when it was first announced two weeks ago, the merger of Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University is now a done deal. The state Board of Regents, which oversees the University System of Georgia, voted unanimously Tuesday to combine the two schools into one new school — which will retain the name and colors of KSU and be headed by current KSU President Dr. Dan Papp. The Regents made a show of impartiality Tuesday, allowing three representatives of SPSU to address them before they vote. But their minds had already been made up, as their votes soon showed.
www.brookings.edu
http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/the-avenue/posts/2013/11/12-economic-education-rothwell
The Economic Value of Education
Jonathan Rothwell
In the face of ever-rising rising tuition and scarce or confusing quality metrics, many people are understandably frustrated with universities and community colleges. Meanwhile, the Great Recession has delayed or diverted the ambitions of many young college graduates. Unfortunately, some scholars have piled on to these concerns with unwarranted suggestions that there is little to no private or public economic benefit from obtaining a college degree.
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/11/14/how-increase-college-access-3-easy-steps-essay#ixzz2kdS172l9
3 Ways to Boost College Access
By Justin Draeger
Today the Senate is holding a hearing on student aid and college access with a focus on simplification, in advance of the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Focusing on streamlining federal student aid and making the various programs more flexible is a well-reasoned approach in a fiscal environment where increases in federal funding for the programs appear unlikely. Here are three recommendations policy makers can apply immediately to simplify programs and increase college access:
Education News
www.gwinnettdailypost.com
http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2013/nov/13/commish-technical-college-system-fuels-workforce/
Commish: Technical College System fuels workforce
By Keith Farner
DULUTH — When the circuits burned out of the motherboard in Ronald Jackson’s home heating system last weekend, he was glad to see a technical college-trained technician arrive. “There is nothing in that unit that made sense to me,” said Jackson, the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia in a lunch speech Wednesday at the Gwinnett Chamber. Thankfully for Jackson, a working motherboard was available, and after the technician rewired the motherboard, in moments heat returned to the Blue Ridge home.
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/article/Many-Students-Dont-Practice/142987/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
Many Students Don’t Practice Vital Quantitative Skills in Class, Survey Finds
By Dan Berrett and Libby Sander
The ability to digest quantitative information is crucial to everyday life, whether the purpose is trivial (following baseball) or profound (participating in democracy). Yet college students don’t always get exposure to activities that develop this ability, according to their answers to a new set of questions on this year’s National Survey of Student Engagement, which was released on Thursday.
Related article:
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/11/14/nsse-2013-measure-student-engagement-and-learning-outcomes#ixzz2kdRUCNty
New Survey, Same Engagement
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/11/14/new-gre-data-illustrate-trends-future-graduate-students#ixzz2kdRfhkeM
The Future Grad Students
By Scott Jaschik
Test-takers who took the GRE in 2012-13 were more likely to be a bit younger and a bit more science-oriented than those who took the exam the year before. And in the quantitative portion of the exam, in particular, foreign talent appears to be outpacing American. These are some of the findings in the latest “Snapshot” of GRE test-takers, released today by the Educational Testing Service.
www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/11/14/us-professors-year#ixzz2kdRoTzbU
Top Professors Named
By Megan Rogers
Students in classes taught by the four U.S. professors of the year don’t sit in a lecture hall and take copious notes. They calculate the impact of a zombie infection, virtually tour crèpe restaurants in France, use algebraic equations to program a robot, and connect course concepts to novel ideas. The professors teach physics, French and mathematics, and all express passion for helping students make real-world connections with course material. They’ll be honored at an awards dinner tonight, where former students introduce each professor. The students’ testimony about the professors conveys that “what they received from the professor was not just an information download,” said John Lippincott, president of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/article/Professors-of-the-Year-Reflect/142983/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
Professors of the Year Reflect on How Failures Helped Them Improve
By Lindsay Ellis
A student in Ann L. Williams’s French-conversation class clicked his way down a street in Lyon, France, until he found exactly what he needed: a store that sold bonsai trees. The student, who was exploring the city using Google Earth, had adopted the persona of a tree collector as part of a project for Ms. Williams’s class, at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
www.diverseeducation.com
http://diverseeducation.com/article/57448/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=20e0598167944281897dcbdbf7cdfaea&elqCampaignId=62
Group Recommends Expanding Reach of Best Teachers to Close Achievement Gap
by Jamaal Abdul-Alim
Since there aren’t enough highly effective teachers to go around, schools should begin to use “remote teaching” and higher salaries so that an elite cadre of the nation’s best teachers can reach greater numbers of students. That is one of the more radical recommendations contained in a new report released Wednesday by Public Impact, which calls for making access to excellent teachers a new “civil right.” The report is titled “Giving Every Student Access to Excellent Teachers: A Vision for Focusing Federal Investments in Education.”
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/article/Push-to-Track-Veterans/142991/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
Push to Track Veterans’ College Success Gets a $3.2-Million Boost From Google
By Libby Sander
Washington
Bringing its data-driven approach to the GI Bill, Google announced on Wednesday that it would provide $3.2-million to support national research to assess student veterans’ academic performance and determine what kinds of campus-based programs were most effective in helping them. Four organizations—Student Veterans of America, the Posse Foundation, Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and Veterans of Foreign Wars—will receive grants to carry out the research and expand existing services for veterans.
www.ccnewsnow.com
http://www.ccnewsnow.com/high-number-of-latinos-in-california-choose-community-college/?utm_campaign=1114ccnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=8432b6f8a12c4cd6a89858864384c4c6&elqCampaignId=133
High number of Latinos in California choose community college
Source: futurity.org
Even among those attending the top performing high schools in California, nearly half of Latinos choose to attend community college after graduation, a new analysis shows. The findings suggest that these young people are far more likely to attend community college than their peers from any other ethnic groups. Among graduates of public high schools that ranked in the top 10 percent statewide, 46 percent of Latinos enrolled at a community college, as compared to 27 percent of whites, 23 percent of African-Americans, and 19 percent of Asians.
www.ccnewsnow.com
http://www.ccnewsnow.com/community-colleges-board-of-governors-supports-student-success-initiative-with-tech-investments/?utm_campaign=1114ccnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=8432b6f8a12c4cd6a89858864384c4c6&elqCampaignId=133
Community Colleges Board of Governors supports student success initiative with tech investments
Source: lakeconews.com
SACRAMENTO – The California Community Colleges Board of Governors, continuing its push to improve student success and expand access, today approved more than $31 million in funding for online tools that will streamline assessment for entering students, help them develop education plans and expand the range of on-line courses they can take. “These technology investments complement policy changes that California community colleges are making to provide students with the services they need to help them reach their educational goals,” Board of Governors President Manuel Baca said. “Our board is focused on improving student success and expanding opportunities for students. These tools support those goals.”
www.nytimes.com
Texas University’s Race Admissions Policy Is Debated Before a Federal Court
By MANNY FERNANDEZ
AUSTIN, Tex. — An affirmative-action program at the University of Texas at Austin that takes applicants’ race into account was unnecessary because the campus had achieved a “critical mass” of minority students, lawyers for the white applicant who sued the university told a federal appeals court here on Wednesday in a case with high stakes for the future of race-conscious admissions policies at public colleges and universities.
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/article/Ratings-Must-Take-Diversity/142993/?cid=at
Ratings Must Take Diversity Into Account, Speakers Warn Education Dept.
By Kelly Field
Fairfax, Va.
The Obama administration, which has proposed rating colleges based on their value to students, continued its four-campus tour to gather public input on Wednesday, holding an open forum at George Mason University. This being the Washington region, several of the speakers who commented on the president’s plan were, not surprisingly, lobbyists.
www.fastcompany.com
http://www.fastcompany.com/3021614/fast-feed/white-house-to-universities-we-need-more-data-scientists
WHITE HOUSE TO UNIVERSITIES: WE NEED MORE DATA SCIENTISTS
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ARE LAUNCHING A $37.8 MILLION PROJECT TO BOOST THE NUMBERS OF AMERICAN DATA SCIENTISTS.
BY NEAL UNGERLEIDER
It’s official: America needs more data scientists. This week, a $37.8 million project to boost data science in academia was announced at a meeting sponsored by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The funding, provided with support by two charitable foundations, will create a partnership between New York University, University of California-Berkeley, and the University of Washington to steer graduates into data science work and increase the use of advanced analytics and data management work in the sciences. Simply put: All three universities want to increase the use of big data by their researchers and to steer graduates towards an important and lucrative job field.