University System News

USG NEWS:
www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/article/British-Educated-Official-to/143497/
Leader Cuts Sabbatical at Catholic Institution Short to Become President of Newly Merged College
By Peter Monaghan
Leading a college that was two colleges until this year can be no easy task. That will be Christopher Blake’s challenge next month, when he takes up the post of president of Middle Georgia State College. It was formed this year through the merger of Macon State and Middle Georgia Colleges, one of several consolidations designed to cut costs in the University System of Georgia.

www.times-herald.com
http://www.times-herald.com/local/20131211-UWG-Newnan-Hospital-project-to-begin-demolition-as-early-as-this-week
UWG Project To Proceed With Building Demolition
by CELIA SHORTT
The new University of West Georgia Newnan Center project is progressing, and demolition of a building at the site of the old Newnan Hospital will begin within a week. “It’s a great partnership between the city of Newnan, University of West Georgia and the Georgia Board of Regents,” said Program Manager Eric L. Johnson of Comprehensive Program Services. “The partnership is working very well, and all the components are working well together. The project is still on schedule — on schedule and on budget. Classes will be held here in January 2015.”

www.macon.com
http://www.macon.com/2013/12/10/2825741/middle-georgia-state-students.html
Middle Georgia State students ease stress with pet therapy
By Jenna Mink
Like many college students, Hannah Merritt spent Tuesday in Middle Georgia State College’s library, devoting most of her time to a paper that is due. Unlike a majority of students, Merritt spent some of that time on the library floor, playing with a dog named Ziggy. Pet therapy is becoming a trend at colleges across the nation, and Middle Georgia State’s Macon campus is jumping aboard. As students prepared for final exams and research papers, they swarmed the campus library, where they pet dogs to relieve some stress. “It’s working for me,” said Merritt, a freshman from Macon. “It’s a cute little puppy — it takes your mind off an exam.” There are several pet therapy groups in Middle Georgia, and one of those groups, Paws to Care, volunteered to bring some animals by the college campus.

Related article:
www.13wmaz.com
http://www.13wmaz.com/story/life/pets/2013/12/10/middle-georgia-statetherapy-dogs/3977077/
Middle Georgia State brings in therapy dogs for students

www.globalatlanta.com
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/26634/indias-consul-general-us-universities-still-a-preferred-destination/
India’s Consul General: U.S. Universities Still a ‘Preferred Destination’
by Phil Bolton
Despite a slight dip in the numbers of Indian students attending U.S. institutions of higher learning, the United States remains a “preferred destination” to pursue advanced degrees, Ajit Kumar, India’s consul general based in Atlanta, said in his opening address at a Dec. 6 educational forum held at the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Nearly 100,000 students from India are enrolled in U.S. universities, he added, saying that they pay $3 billion in tuition fees. But local academics and officials raised concerns about the future of Georgia’s educational institutions given reductions in federal and state funding. …Although titled “American Higher Education in the Changing Global Economy,” the forum covered global issues as well as those faced by U.S. institutions. It featured academics and officials from Auburn, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State universities, the University of Georgia and Douglas R. Hooker, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission. …Beheruz N. Sethna, president emeritus and regents’ professor of business at the University of West Georgia, cited a corporate business model showing that successful companies primarily support their top products through research and development and funding.

USG VALUE:
www.northwestgeorgianews.com
http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/georgia-tech-reopens-northwest-regional-innovation-office-in-rome/article_6df6653a-61d8-11e3-8ab5-0019bb30f31a.html
Georgia Tech reopens Northwest Regional innovation office in Rome
By Doug Walker
A Georgia Tech program that helps industries implement new strategies now has an office at Georgia Highlands College’s Heritage Hall on East Third Avenue. Two members of the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, operated by Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2), work in the office.

www.forest-blade.com
http://www.forest-blade.com/news/education/article_2adf5d5a-61c5-11e3-9b1e-001a4bcf887a.html
Circle K Club and SGA work together for area children
Two popular student organizations at East Georgia State College, Student Government Association (SGA) and Circle K Club recently collaborated on the Weekend Blessings Project to help feed hungry school children in the area. Under the direction of SGA Advisor and Director of Student Life, Vicki Sherrod, and Circle K Club Advisor and Assistant Professor of History, Courtney Joiner, the two organizations have made a significant difference.

www.forest-blade.com
http://www.forest-blade.com/news/education/article_c2fa7fc8-61c7-11e3-97af-001a4bcf887a.html
SIFE Club visits Pre-K students
SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) Club at East Georgia State College have mentored Swainsboro Pre-K students throughout the school year. Members Natalie Love and Spencer Salter taught the small students to make colorful Indian headbands in the spirit of Thanksgiving. On December 5, Natalie Love and Stephanie Jones delivered gifts from SIFE to Stephanie Triplet’s Pre-K class.

www.flagpole.com
http://flagpole.com/news/news-features/2013/12/11/uga-gives-clarke-county-k-12-students-a-taste-of-college
UGA Gives Clarke County K-12 Students a Taste of College Life
By Kristen Morales
Living across the street from freshman dorms at the University of Georgia, 16-year-old Zaquira Evans is well acquainted with campus life. A student at Clarke Central High School, Evans says she’s been to campus lots of times, sometimes to hang out at the Tate Center, but other times to walk through the campus or the academic buildings. …More students will have that chance, thanks to Experience UGA. The idea behind the partnership, which launched earlier this year, is to bring Clarke County students to campus at least once a year during their time in the school district, says Claire Coenen, the program’s coordinator. That means up to 13 opportunities to visit the campus—and each time learn something in the process.

GOOD NEWS:
www.onlineathens.com
http://onlineathens.com/health/2013-12-09/athens-nurses-clinic-wins-grant-continue-health-and-wellness-courses
Athens Nurses Clinic wins grant to continue health and wellness courses
Athens Nurses Clinic won a $4,000 grant from The Health 1st Foundation in November to provide health and wellness courses for the poor and uninsured in Athens and Northeast Georgia. Over the past two years, the clinic has been collaborating with students from the University of Georgia College of Public Health.

RESEARCH:
www.midtown.patch.com
http://midtown.patch.com/groups/schools/p/georgia-tech-researchers-study-aging-with-disabilities
Georgia Tech Researchers Study Aging with Disabilities
Posted by Hunt Archbold
Midtown school recently received a five-year $4.6 million grant to increase understanding of the aging process for people with disabilities and use data gleaned from the study to develop technologies that will benefit them and others. …Recently, the Georgia Institute of Technology received a five-year $4.6 million grant to increase understanding of the aging process for people with disabilities and use data gleaned from the study to develop technologies that will benefit them and others.

www.livescience.com
http://www.livescience.com/41855-2013-siemens-competition-winners-announced.html
Student Wins $100,000 for Pandemic Flu Research Project
By Tanya Lewis, Staff Writer
Research on drugs to combat a flu pandemic and on plants’ resistance to ozone claimed top honors in the 2013 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology… The regional competitions were held at six universities: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Notre Dame and The University of Texas at Austin.

www.savannahnow.com
http://savannahnow.com/news/2013-12-10/p-nodehl1dolphin-disease-found-georgia-public-reporting-requested-p#.UqiY4ijGEeV
Dolphin disease found in Georgia
By Savannah Morning News
A disease that has killed more than 800 bottlenose dolphins along mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. coasts since July 1 has been confirmed in Georgia. Georgia DNR reported Tuesday that samples taken from four dolphins found dead at Wassaw and Jekyll islands in November tested positive for dolphin morbillivirus. The measles-like virus affects the lungs, brain and immune system of marine mammals. Dolphin morbillivirus, also referred to as DMV, is not infectious to humans. …DNR and other researchers keep track of resident dolphins by photographing their dorsal fins, the shape of which provides a means of identification. Georgia Marine Mammal Stranding Network partners and NOAA Fisheries have provided significant help with stranding response and logistics. Tissue samples are being tested at the University of Georgia and the University of California, Davis.

www.slate.com
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2013/12/10/why_cul_de_sacs_are_bad_for_your_health_happy_city_by_charles_montgomery.html?wpisrc=burger_bar
Why Cul-de-Sacs Are Bad for Your Health
By Charles Montgomery
Of every 100 American commuters, five take public transit, three walk, and only one rides a bicycle to work or school. If walking and cycling are so pleasurable, why don’t more people choose to cycle or walk to work? Why do most people fail to walk even the 10,000 daily steps needed to stay healthy? Why do we avoid public transit? Consider Atlanta. The average working adult in Atlant’s suburbs now drives 44 miles a day. (That’s 72 minutes a day behind the wheel, just getting to work and back.) Ninety-four percent of Atlantans commute by car. They spend more on gas than anyone else in the country. In a study of more than 8,000 households, investigators from the Georgia Institute of Technology led by Lawrence Frank discovered that peoples environments were shaping their travel behavior and their bodies.

Editorials/Columns/Opinions
www.ajc.com
http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/get-schooled/2013/dec/11/which-georgia-public-colleges-offer-best-value/
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Which Georgia public colleges offer the best value? UGA and Georgia Tech make the list.
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance just released its annual 100 Best Values in Public Colleges report, and four Georgia campuses made the cut. In 10th place for value is the University of Georgia; Georgia Tech is 33rd; the University of North Georgia is 94th, while Georgia College & State University is 95th on the list.

www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2013/12/11/essay-how-professors-should-respond-increased-job-duties
Dying on Our Swords
By Nate Kreuter
“Do more, make less.” That’s how one of my colleagues characterizes the times in higher education. He’s pretty much got the situation nailed. The responsibilities of faculty members sometimes feel like they increase with each passing semester, and there is of course no corresponding increase in compensation. This problem has been an ongoing topic of discussion in my department, as it surely is in many departments and within many sorts of institutions.

www.atlawblog.com
http://www.atlawblog.com/2013/12/communications-psychology-degrees-return-your-investment-if-you-add-a-j-d/?kw=Communications%2C%20psychology%20degrees%20return%20your%20%20investment–if%20you%20add%20a%20J.D.&et=editorial&bu=Daily%20Report&cn=20131211&src=EMC-Email&pt=Morning%20News
Communications, psychology degrees return your investment–if you add a J.D.
As the mother of a college student who has yet to commit to a major, I read with heightened interest salary.com’s recent list of the eight worst college degrees for the money. Topping the list in the number one spot was a communications degree. Related professions include news reporters (ahem), copywriters (as if Peggy Olson doesn’t have a tough enough row to hoe) and marketing coordinators. Here are the others, ranked by the website for returns on investment:

www.edweek.org
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/12/11/14heller.h33.html?tkn=VQWFxD00Wd2eFXua%2BRD9NkK%2FG4tmY1pjs9ZP&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2
An Open Letter to NCTQ on Teacher Prep
By Donald Heller, Avner Segall, and Corey Drake
To the National Council on Teacher Quality:
Thank you for sending your invitation for the Michigan State University College of Education to submit new materials for the next round of the National Council on Teacher Quality’s teacher-prep review. While our college willingly and fully complied with your first review, which was released in June, we must respectfully decline this time around. We would like to explain why we have decided not to participate. First, you have provided very little time to prepare the extensive materials in your request.

www.washingtonpost.com
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/12/10/a-critique-of-common-core-math-standards/?wpisrc=nl_cuzheads
The Answer Sheet By Valerie Strauss
A critique of Common Core math standards
I recently posted a piece on the future of high school math education and the Common Core State Standards on math, which was the work of a coalition of mathematicians, statisticians, teachers and curriculum developers, that elicited a lot of interest. The following response takes a critical look at that piece and the Common Core math standards.

Education News
www.ajc.com
http://www.ajc.com/news/business/demand-for-it-workers-intensifies-in-metro-atlanta/ncHFz/
Demand for IT workers intensifies in metro Atlanta
By Christopher Seward
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sandy Springs-based UPS knows about the challenge of finding qualified information technology professionals to join the package delivery company. At any given time, UPS has an average of 70 to 90 IT positions that need to be filled in Atlanta and several other cities, according to spokeswoman Laurie Mallis. “It is fair to state that at UPS we always have a consistent IT hiring need and it is always a challenge,” Mallis told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday. The competition to fill IT jobs will only grow in the first half of next year, according to a new report from Robert Half Technology.

www.gainesvilletimes.com
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/92682/
Skilled workers tough to find for manufacturing positions
Welders, machinists most desired positions
By Carly Sharec
Positions in manufacturing are consistent as the market grows, but employer demands seem to be outpacing employee skills. “Georgia is a great place to be a manufacturing company,” said Ira Bennett, director of marketing for Harris Products Group, which provides parts used in brazing, soldering, welding, cutting and gas distribution industries. She said between tax incentives and the lack of unions, large companies have been attracted to the South, including Georgia, for a number of years.

www.forbes.com
http://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2013/12/09/big-business-bets-on-education-turning-corporate-campuses-and-factories-into-schools/
Big Business Bets On Education, Turning Factories And Corporate Campuses Into Schools
Dan Alexander, Forbes Staff
Tired of looking for workers and not finding enough of them with the right skills, some of the world’s largest businesses are partnering with local governments to train the next generation of American workers. General Electric GE -0.18% teamed up with the city of Cleveland to create the MC2 STEM High School, which brings students onto GE Lighting’s corporate campus for their sophomore years. GE employees serve as mentors, and students get practical experience creating lights and working with high-tech manufacturing machines.

www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/blogs/bottomline/the-secrets-of-million-dollar-ready-colleges/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
The Secrets of ‘Million-Dollar Ready’ Colleges
Less than a third of American colleges managed to attract individual donations of $1-million or more from 2000 to 2012, leaving the other two-thirds to wonder: What is their secret?
According to a study released on Tuesday, a number of factors influence an institution’s chances of landing a big gift, including presidential tenure, the student experience, and the philanthropic example that its board members set.

www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/12/11/study-student-debt-squeezes-middle-class-most
Study: Student Debt Squeezes Middle Class the Most
College students from middle-income families are more likely to end up with student loan debt than their peers from both lower and higher socioeconomic backgrounds, a new study has found.

www.nytimes.com

After Setbacks, Online Courses Are Rethought
By TAMAR LEWIN
Two years after a Stanford professor drew 160,000 students from around the globe to a free online course on artificial intelligence, starting what was widely viewed as a revolution in higher education, early results for such large-scale courses are disappointing, forcing a rethinking of how college instruction can best use the Internet.

www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/12/11/coursera-launches-iphone-app
Coursera Launches iPhone App
Students in courses hosted by Coursera, the massive open online course provider, can now access lessons on the go — as long as they have an iPhone. The MOOC provider launched an official mobile app on Tuesday, allowing iPhone users to browse courses, receive notifications from the courses they are enrolled in, and stream and download lectures.

www.chronicle.com
http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/jp/3-are-arrested-at-florida-international-u-in-alleged-effort-to-sell-exams?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
3 Are Arrested at Florida International U. in Alleged Effort to Sell Exams
Two current students at Florida International University and an alumnus have been arrested in an alleged effort to steal and sell examinations. The university said in a notice on Monday night that the charges in the case “range from dealing in stolen property to theft and burglary.”

www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/12/11/number-economics-jobs-drops
Drop in Jobs for Econ Ph.D.s
By Scott Jaschik
The number of job openings for economics Ph.D.s fell by 4.3 percent from 2012 to 2013, according to new data from the American Economic Association. The analysis is based on the number of openings listed with the association — which likely does not include all of the possible positions, but is generally considered to rise and fall with the broader pool of available jobs for economics Ph.D.s, and especially for those starting their careers.

www.diverseeducation.com
http://diverseeducation.com/article/58062/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=10e55914c902469abbe45a59d7d4f122&elqCampaignId=146#
Diverse Docket: Alabama State Assessed More than $2M in Harassment Suit
by Eric Freedman
Alabama State University must pay more than $1.1 million in attorney fees and legal costs on top of almost $1.1 million in damages, plus interest, for race and gender harassment and retaliation against three ex-employees, a federal judge has ruled. Insurance will cover most of Alabama State’s “financial exposure,” the university said.

www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/12/11/florida-appeals-court-rejects-right-public-universities-regulate-guns-campus
Gun Bans in Danger
By Scott Jaschik
A divided Florida appeals court ruled Tuesday that public colleges and universities — except in limited circumstances — lack the legal right to regulate gun possession on campus. The ruling came in a case involving a rule at the University of North Florida banning students from keeping guns in their cars. But the appeals court went beyond that rule (which it rejected) to speak more generally to the right of public colleges and universities to limit gun possession on campus, as local news media indicated they do.

Related article:
www.diverseeducation.com
http://diverseeducation.com/article/58066/?utm_campaign=Diverse%20Newsletter%203&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=10e55914c902469abbe45a59d7d4f122&elqCampaignId=146#
Court Rules Florida Universities Can’t Regulate Guns

www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/12/11/budget-deal-expected-alleviate-automatic-cuts-scientific-research
What the Budget Deal Means
By Michael Stratford
The federal budget deal announced by Congressional negotiators Tuesday evening would largely alleviate cuts to research funding and campus-based student aid programs. The agreement, reached by Representative Paul Ryan, a Republican, and Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat, would fund the government for the remainder of the current fiscal year at a level higher than a House-passed budget proposal but lower than the level that the Senate and President Obama had sought.

www.insidehighered.com
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/12/11/hopkins-plans-shifts-graduate-school-and-faculty-hiring
Shifts at Hopkins
By Colleen Flaherty
Johns Hopkins University is credited by many with bringing the research institution model to the United States, and today it remains a leader in graduate education and research. So a new strategic plan with major implications for graduate education, including shrinking enrollments, has graduate students there up in arms, and hundreds have requested in a formal statement that the university hold off on the plan.